AfriTin Mining Limited (LON:ATM) has announced it has achieved ‘excellent recoveries’ in the Dense Medium Separation (DMS) test work on a bulk sample of 2 tonnes which is a potentially representative sample of the V1, V2 pegmatite bodies.
The AIM-listed mining company said these pits were previously identified as priority targets to supply feed to the upgraded processing plant at Uis Tin Mine in Namibia.
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The company said more than 85% stage 1 tin recoveries in 2.66 and 2.62 g/cm3 cut densities and up to 91% recoveries in second-stage separation (at a cut density of 2.9 g/cm3) were achieved during the test work.
AfriTin also achieved more than 60% SnO2 grade in the final concentrate following removal of muscovite (a potential by-product).
The company said these initial results confirm the beneficiation potential of the Uis pegmatites to produce a high-grade tin concentrate from a coarse run-of-mine feed.
Anthony Viljoen, CEO of AfriTin Mining, said: “The completion of this test work has been a key element of the final design for our phase 1 processing plant at the historic Uis mine and bodes well for the expansion during Phase 2 of the project which envisages a full-scale production facility of 3 million tonnes of ore per annum.”
He added: “The company remains on target for the production of first tin concentrate during the fourth quarter of 2018."