Accent Resources (ASX:ACS) reports independent testwork has demonstrated the technical viability of producing ‘high-grade’ magnetite concentrates through dry processing at its Magnetite Range Project in Western Australia.
LONGi Magnet completed dual-drum dry-magnetic separation testing on four representative samples from the Julia and Robb deposits. Final concentrates graded 66.3–68% iron (Fe) at a grind of approximately 75 microns.
The testwork achieved overall magnetic iron recovery of 98.21% across the four tests. Total iron recovery ranged 85.2–91.2% for the three ‘high-grade’ magnetite samples.
Managing Director David Sun says the results provide a water-efficient option for evaluation in the Prefeasibility Study (PFS).
“The ability to produce 66–68% Fe concentrates in the laboratory using a dry processing route gives the company a credible water efficient option to evaluate in the PFS,” Sun adds.
“Our next priority is to validate and optimise the flowsheet across representative material and at a scale suitable for engineering design.”
Three ‘high-grade’ magnetite samples returned concentrates of 66.7–68% iron at 85.2–91.2% total iron recovery and 97–98.2% magnetic iron recovery. The ‘lower-grade’ R-LBIF-14 sample produced a 66.3% iron concentrate at lower yield and recovery.
LONGi also completed wet magnetic separation cleaning tests using its LJC unit on all four dry magnetic concentrates. Single stage tests produced concentrates grading 69.7–70.3% iron at 59.2–88.6% final total iron recovery.
The wet separation results demonstrate potential to produce ‘high-grade’ concentrate suitable for direct reduced iron (DRI) feed through a final wet polishing stage.
Accent says dry processing could reduce capital costs and process water demand, and avoid reliance on conventional wet concentration and tailings storage facilities, subject to further assessment.
The Magnetite Range Project sits 250km southeast of Geraldton in Western Australia’s Mid West region. It holds a mineral resource of 523.3 million tonnes grading 31.3% iron.
Accent completed an 18-hole geometallurgical diamond core drilling program totalling 2,299.2m over the Julia and Robb deposits in Q2 2024.
The company will incorporate the LONGi findings into ongoing PFS metallurgical and flowsheet trade-off work. Planned next stage work includes confirmation and optimisation testwork on representative composites and evaluation of wet and dry processing alternatives.
Accent Resources is an Australian explorer and developer focused on advancing its flagship magnetite iron ore project in Western Australia.
Write to JC Villarba at Mining.com.au
Images: Accent Resources
