Athena Resources (ASX:AHN) has flagged ‘highly encouraging’ results from recent metallurgical testwork on samples from its Byro Magnetite Project in Western Australia.
The company says the testwork is one of the components of a Prefeasibility Study (PFS) for the project.
ALS Metallurgy’s Iron Ore Technical Centre (IOTC) ran the metallurgical testwork, which was based on a substantial body of previous testwork, including the Davis Tube Recovery (DTR) work that was incorporated into the project’s updated 2023 Mineral Resource Estimate.
Both weathered and fresh composites were tested to determine if there was a variation in Wet Low-Intensity Magnetic Separation (Wet LIMS) grade and recovery between 2.
Athena reports the outcome of the LIMS was positive, confirming a production concentrate grade of 70% iron (Fe) for both ore types
Athena reports the outcome of the LIMS was positive, confirming a production concentrate grade of 70% iron (Fe) for both ore types, and the mass flow through the processing system is optimised.
Additionally, the company says these latest results, with Wet LIMS concentrates over 70% Fe, confirm the process design, with a final product to supply high-purity ‘green steel’ production alongside other premium industrial processes available to a concentrate of this purity.
The company expects to regularly update the market on the next steps of the Prefeasibility Study, including processing and tailings, geotechnical study completion, open pit optimisation and mine scheduling, hydrology, and power supply.
Athena Resources is an ASX-listed Western Australia-based exploration company. The company’s portfolio of assets include the Byro Base Metals and Byro Industrial Metals projects in the Murchison Province of Western Australia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Athena Resources Ltd
