Greenstone Resources (ASX:GSR) has engaged a specialist team of independent consultants to undertake a Scoping Study at the company’s Mt Thirsty Joint Venture (MTJV), including Simulus and WSP Australia.
Simulus is a hydrometallurgy and mineral processing services group specialising in metallurgical testwork, process simulation, engineering studies, and the development of hydrometallurgical flowsheets. Over the past 19 years, Simulus has been involved in the assessment, development, design, commissioning or operation of 22 nickel projects.
WSP is a full-service mining consultancy with a global team of more than 4,400 mining professionals covering geology, resource estimation, mining, processing, and environmental. WSP’s mining team (formally Golder Associates) have experience with the Mt Thirsty project, having previously undertaken the most recent mineral resource estimates and tailings design.
Greenstone Resources reports as part of the Scoping Study, WSP will be undertaking an updated mineral resource estimate, mine design, tailings management plan and associated site infrastructure design.
as part of the Scoping Study, WSP will be undertaking an updated mineral resource estimate, mine design, tailings management plan and associated site infrastructure design
The company recently updated on exploration activities at Mt Thirsty with assays having now been received for an additional 9 drillholes targeting Co-Ni-Mn-Sc-PGE mineralisation.
The project is located 16km north-northwest of Norseman, Western Australia and is 50:50 owned with Conico (ASX:CNJ). The project is supported by a network of existing infrastructure including road, rail, port, and power.
It hosts the Mt Thirsty cobalt-nickel-manganese deposit with a current JORC Resource of 26.9 million tonnes @ 0.126% Co and 0.54% Ni with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and aforementioned Scoping Study currently underway.
Greenstone Resources says assays have now been received for a further 9 reverse circulation (RC) pre-collars completed late last year as part of the phase one drill campaign.
The most recent significant intercepts from the upper Co-Ni-Mn-Sc zone include MTRC035D: 44m @ 0.03% Co, 0.47% Ni, 0.16% Mn, and 39.2g/t Sc from 2m, including 10m @ 0.09% Co, 0.71% Ni, 0.38% Mn, and 23.0g/t Sc from 33m.
Also, MTRC013D: 59m @ 0.05% Co, 0.37% Ni, 0.35% Mn, and 45.3g/t Sc from 10m, including: 11m @ 0.18% Co, 0.45% Ni, 1.15% Mn, and 49.7g/t Sc from 39m.
The phase one drill campaign also employed a comprehensive multi-element assay suite, serving to identify the presence of scandium which had not previously been assayed for, and is not included within the existing resource estimate.
Scandium is a rare earth metal that is highly valued for its unique properties, including high strength, light weight, and resistance to corrosion. It has a wide range of applications, including aerospace, defence, hydrogen fuel cells and electronics industries. In 2021 the global scandium market size was valued at US$460.9 million, however this is projected to reach US$977.3 million by 2030, growing at a forecasted compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.7% between 2022 to 2030.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Greenstone Resources Ltd
