Thor Mining PLC (LON:THR) has begun a series of activities designed to accelerate commercialisation of its Pilot Mountain tungsten project in Nevada, USA.
The AIM-listed exploration and development company said it had commissioned both a scoping study and metallurgical testwork to determine potential mining and processing scenarios around its deposits at the Pilot Mountain site.
READ: Thor Mining says plans to accelerate development at its Pilot Mountain tungsten resource
Thor said that the results of the scoping exercise will allow the development of an initial mining plan and sufficient information to commence environmental studies and other regulatory approval works.
The company added that the metallurgical testwork will be carried out by Vancouver based BOMENCO and will allow the development of detailed process flow sheets, equipment specifications and other process engineering documents to support a Pre-Feasibility study.
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It added that these activities will be fully funded from existing cash reserves well into 2019.
Thor Mining's executive chairman, Mick Billing said: “The scoping study work is intended to provide high-level development and operating parameters to continue with various regulatory and environmental reports necessary to maintain project momentum.
"Previous testwork has demonstrated successful production of a saleable tungsten concentrate; however the second stage work directed by internationally recognised tungsten metallurgical consultants BOMENCO, is aimed at improving upon this and also at producing a robust process flow sheet along with credible design parameters."