Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M) says the Dolphin Tungsten Mine in Tasmania has shown potential to improve the mine output.
Trials were conducted in April focusing on evaluating the potential of ore sorting technology to enhance the processing of low-grade and high-grade ore from the mine.
Group 6 Metals, which has a market capitalisation of $28.11 million, reports the low grade ore sample returned an average grade of 0.22% tungsten oxide, while the high-grade ore sample returned an average grade of 0.61% tungsten oxide.
Sorting trials for low-grade ore gave enrichment ratios of 2.09 and 2.53, while for high-grade ore enrichment ratios were 1.35 and 1.49.
CEO Keith McKnight says the company plans to proceed with further testing and an engineering concept study to integrate ore sorting at Dolphin.
“The company is excited by the results from its recent ore sorting trials which are very encouraging,” McKnight says.
“As higher grade ore from the open pit is prioritised as feed to the process plant, lower grade ore is being stockpiled for blending with the high-grade underground ore.
“As the ore sorting trials are indicating, there may be a significant opportunity to sort this ore which would bring it forward in the production plan. The opportunity may extend to treatment of high-grade ore also which could significantly improve the performance of the process plant and lower unit process costs.”
Group 6 Metals adds that while further testing is required, these results suggest ore sorting can increase the grade of the processed material, while achieving high recoveries.
The company is currently in discussions with HPY Sorting Technology to undertake additional testing, with a preference for onsite trials in the fourth quarter of this year.
HPY Technology operates in the design and manufacturing of ore sorters in China and internationally.
Meanwhile, commercial ore sorting is anticipated to begin in the first half of next year, subject to completing engineering and Feasibility studies.
Group 6 Metals is an Australian resources explorer, developer, and producer. The company is focused on its Dolphin Tungsten Mine which lies on King Island in Tasmania.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Group 6 Metals
