High Tide Resources (CSE:HTRC) says pilot plant test work has produced direct reduction (DR)-quality iron concentrate from its Labrador West Iron Project in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.
The concentrate assayed 67.29% iron (Fe), with combined silica (SiO₂) and alumina (Al₂O₃) of 1.25% — below High Tide’s 2% target. SiO₂ measured 1.11%, while Al₂O₃ returned 0.14%.
German laboratory Studiengesellschaft für Eisenerzaufbereitung (SGA) completed the program, which has now advanced to pelletisation test work.
Executive VP Michael Zurowski says the concentrate exceeded the company’s target for combined silica and alumina.
“These excellent results from the first detailed metallurgical testwork focused on DR-grade iron ore production demonstrate the quality of the concentrate, which assayed 67.3% Fe and exceeded expectations by reducing combined silica and alumina to just 1.25%, well below the 2.0% target,” Zurowski says.
High Tide says low gangue levels are important because deleterious elements are not removed through slag formation during DR steelmaking. Other elements, including copper, zinc, lead, and arsenic, also returned low concentrations.
However, not every element met preferred DR pellet specifications. Manganese measured 0.64%, above the 0.25% acceptable maximum, while sulphur at 0.009% slightly exceeded the 0.008% preferred level but remained below the 0.01% acceptable maximum.
The pilot plant processed a 2,480kg sample grading 29.76% Fe. Weight recovery averaged 23.2%, below the anticipated 27–31%, after an underperforming flotation cell increased iron losses.
Next-stage work will produce pellets for ISO-standard physical and metallurgical testing, followed by basket testing in a direct reduced iron plant and hydrogen-based reduction test work. No timetable was disclosed.
The results follow drilling that extended Labrador West beyond its existing deposit limits, as previously reported by Mining.com.au.
High Tide Resources is a Canadian explorer advancing the Labrador West iron project and Lac Pegma copper-nickel-cobalt project in eastern Canada.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Main image: High Tide Resources
