Northern Minerals to boost Browns Range production using new tech
Thursday, October 11, 2018 - 12:50:36 PM
https://www.australianmining.com.au

According to Mining News Pro -Northern Minerals has proposed using a new ore sorting technology on its existing Browns Range stockpiles to increase production of rare earths in northern Western Australia.

Using X-ray transmission (XRT) sensors, a 100-tonne sample made up of high and medium grade material from the Wolverine and Gambit orebodies, as well as mixed low grade stockpile, was differentiated.

Northern Minerals managing director George Bauk said, “Ore sorting technology is readily available through a number of providers, and our studies on the five existing run of mine (ROM) stockpiles have shown the potential for significant improvements in both processing plant efficiency and value recovery of heavy rare earth elements through its use.”

A 2 per cent increase of total rare earth oxide (TREO) was aimed in the head grade to the mill, which will increase in the amount of rare earth oxides that can be produced at the current pilot plant mill feed rate.

The capital cost for the supply and installation of the circuit is estimated at $4 million.

Bauk said, “We believe the up-front capital cost of retrospectively installing ore sorting technology ahead of the existing Brown Range pilot plant circuit is justified in the light of the head grade improvement demonstrated in the testwork to date, along with the forecast economic benefits delivered by greater production output – both of which will flow through to additional medium-term value for shareholders.

“We are currently working on the more testwork, approvals, planning and the funding required for ore sorting at Browns Range with a view to have ore sorting installation in the second quarter of 2019.”

Northern Minerals is undertaking the technical and economic feasibility studies for the design, supply and installation of an ore sorting circuit at the pilot plant.

The ore sorting circuit will be integrated directly between the crushed ore stockpile and the mill feed hopper.


http://www.miningnewspro.com/en/News/279260/Northern Minerals to boost Browns Range production using new tech
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