VanadiumCorp Resource Inc (TSX-V:VRB) (CVE:VRB) has begun joint hydro-metallurgical testing with Strategic Resources Inc (CVE:SR) using its patented and proprietary green recovery process on titanomagnetite concentrate from Strategic's Mustavaara Project in Finland, the companies announced.
VanadiumCorp Electrochem Process Technology (VEPT) is being performed by Electrochem Technologies & Materials inc at its facilities in Boucherville, Quebec, Canada. The idea is to test whether VEPT would be viable on Mustavaara's material and provide an alternative and more environmentally friendly way to extract vanadium and iron, compared to conventional smelting methods.
The end products produced by the VEPT process favor the rapidly emerging Vanadium redox flow battery industry, in contrast to the current flowsheet, which produces ferrovanadium used in the steel industry, the company said. In addition, the process offers the potential for commercial-grade titanium production as a third revenue stream.
READ: VanadiumCorp Resource closes $1 million financing to help commercialize vanadium redox flow-battery systems
"VanadiumCorp is excited to be working with Strategic, who has identified the potential of our patented green process technology,” VanadiumCorp CEO Adriaan Bakker said in a statement.
“As the Mustavaara Project encompasses a formerly producing vanadium-iron- mine, it represents a potential paradigm shift toward green metallurgical recovery methods. Located in Finland, sustainable recovery of vanadium and other critical metals at Mustavaara would represent an exciting development in the region and the EU."
Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel