Greenstone Resources (ASX:GSR) has increased the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Mt Thirsty Co-Ni-Mn-Sc project by 146%.
The Project, which is a 50:50m joint venture with Conico (ASX:CNJ), is located just 16km north-northwest of Norseman, Western Australia and is supported by a network of existing infrastructure such as road, rail, port, and power.
The updated global MRE was undertaken by WSP Australia and now totals 66.2 million tonnes @ 0.06% cobalt; 0.43% nickel and 0.45% manganese (indicated and inferred), which represents an increase of 39.3Mt (146%) over the previous MRE.
Importantly, Greenstone reports large areas of the resource remain open at depth and scandium has not been included in current resource estimation, both of which will be assessed post the completion of the Scoping Study which is expected in early-July 2023.
The company says following the completion of the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) in early 2020, a number of project optimisation opportunities have subsequently been identified which may have a material impact on the project economics, including the adoption of High-Pressure Acid Leaching (HPAL) and the addition of a cathode precursor plant to produce a Precursor Cathode Active Material (pCAM).
A specialist team of independent consultants has subsequently been engaged to undertake a Scoping Study, including Simulus and WSP Australia. Simulus is a hydrometallurgy and mineral processing services group that specialises in metallurgical testwork, process simulation, engineering studies and the development of hydrometallurgical flowsheets. Simulus bring extensive HPAL experience, having been involved in the assessment, development, design, commissioning or operation of 22 nickel projects over the past 19 years.
WSP is a full-service mining consultancy with a global team of over 4,400 dedicated mining professionals covering geology, resource estimation, mining, processing and environmental. WSP’s mining team (formally Golder Associates) have extensive experience with the Mt Thirsty project, having previously undertaken the most recent MREs and tailings design. As part of the Scoping Study, WSP will be undertaking an updated mine design, tailings management plan and associated site infrastructure design.
