American Tungsten & Antimony (ASX:AT4) plans to test third-party tungsten concentrates at its Del Sol Refinery in Nevada, US, supporting a fast-tracked processing circuit.
The company has received concentrate samples from a global tier-one tungsten producer for assessment by the Del Sol Mineral Intelligence Engine™ (MIE) to establish feed acceptance criteria and blending options.
AT4 is also assessing feed from its Tennessee Mountain and Dutch Mountain tungsten projects. The company is fast-tracking a 100 tonnes per annum (tpa) ammonium paratungstate (APT) circuit at Del Sol — the first stage of the America First Tungsten Project — with a Metso study assessing a potential expansion up to 5,000tpa.
CEO Casper Adson says refining is a “key chokepoint” in the US tungsten supply chain.
“Domestic and allied resource owners need a US refinery to reach defence and industrial customers, which we believe will put AT4 in a strong position when negotiating strategic partnerships, feedstock supply, [and] toll-processing and offtake terms,” Adson says.
Next steps include completing the sample evaluations, engaging US and allied producers, advancing engineering, site preparation, and procurement, and lodging a tungsten-processing application with the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection.
AT4 is also pursuing strategic capital, including negotiations for a potential grant of up to US$18 million ($26 million) for the ASCEND-Sb Project.
American Tungsten & Antimony is focused on the exploration and development of antimony and tungsten projects in the US.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: American Tungsten & Antimony
