Surefire Resources NL (ASX:SRN) has produced high-grade vanadium concentrates in preliminary metallurgical test work at its Unaly Hill Vanadium Project in Western Australia.
The test work was undertaken on diamond drill core samples from Unaly Hill, specifically on composites developed from three main vandiferous mineralised zones intersected by a diamond hole.
Along with a completed reverse circulation drilling program, the metallurgical results have further advanced Unaly Hill towards scoping study-level and evaluation of its economic potential.
Magnetic separation very effective
Consistent vanadium grades and recoveries from across all three mineralised zones were produced.
Grades of up to 1.46% vanadium were achieved and excellent rejection of gangue minerals, such as silica, alumina and calcium, was demonstrated.
Magnetic separation was shown to be very effective, with substantial vanadium grade improvements and high gangue rejection exhibited for all composites.
Metallurgical test work is ongoing with further magnetic beneficiation work and sighter extraction tests planned.
Salt roast test work to assess the recoverable vanadium from the magnetic concentrate is planned for after the beneficiation testing.
Project runs along Youanmi fault
Situated within the East Murchison mineral field in northern Western Australia, Unaly Hill’s licence area is within the Atley igneous complex.
The Atley intrusion is a layered gabbroic body that is elongated in a north-northeast to south-southwest orientation and runs along the axis of the regional-scale Youanmi fault.
The compositional layers recognised are gabbro, leucogabbro, pyroxenite (completely altered to talc, chlorite and tremolite), anorthosite and magnetite rock.
The iron-vanadium-titanium mineralisation is situated within cyclical cumulous layers within the intrusive complex.