Lotus Resources Ltd (ASX:LOT) is on a roll with further strong results from its ore sorting test work at Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi.
The company’s recent test work that achieved higher recoveries used a combination of sensors and also tested reduced crush sizes compared with the original phase one results.
Promisingly, whilst the increase in uranium grade remained excellent, with increases of up to 100% compared to the feed material, this second round of results also saw recoveries increase from 86% in the original test work to up to 92%.
“Potential to improve the economic returns”
Lotus managing director Keith Bowes said: “This second round of testing has provided further validation regarding the use of ore sorting at the Kayelekera Project.
“We are very confident that this technology has the potential to improve the economic returns of the Project, by increasing annual production and extending the mine life with the further potential benefit of reducing operating costs.
“We will continue to provide additional information on the additional testwork planned over the coming months.”
Test work results
Lotus tested two additional samples of run of mine ore at the STEINERT testing facility in Perth.
A total of three products were produced from each test with the primary concentrate sample based on the colour sort, a middlings sample based on the density sort and a final tailings sample.
Notably, the results demonstrate that colour is the most effective sorting criterion with the finer samples achieving higher recoveries in comparison to the coarser samples.
Increase feed-grade
Ore sorting has the potential to both increase the feed-grade and extend the life-of-mine through the utilisation of low-grade ores as plant feed
Lotus is currently undertaking additional testing on the finer sample material to see if it can be upgraded with more traditional techniques e.g., flotation, gravity and size separation.
The results indicate similar mass splits to the original work, but that at an equivalent uranium recovery, the product grade is higher as indicated by the higher upgrade ratio.
Next steps
The upgrading of the fines portion of the feed material is ongoing, with results expected to be received in the coming months.
The next phase of ore sorting test work will incorporate the new samples from the site including lower grade materials and other rock types treated at Kayelekera.
Lotus expects these results to be available towards the end of this quarter
The results of further ore sorting test work will be incorporated into a feasibility study which is expected to begin in September 2021.
- Ephrems Joseph