Jameson Resources Limited (ASX: JAL) has announced an overwhelmingly positive result from pilot oven carbonization of Crown Mountain north pit coal in south eastern British Columbia.
The company reported that the CSR is a very attractive 73.5 and noted that the carbonization results indicated a desirable low wall pressure of 2.5 kPa (0.36 psi). The results also showed that FSI for the feed coal is 7, ash 9%, volatile matter 20%, 0.56% sulphur, 0.05% phosphorous, RoMax 1.36, with total reactives of 67.1%.
Jameson said that all these confirm the PFS conclusion. Meanwhile, the pilot wash of samples from the south pit is scheduled to commence in mid-May, followed by carbonization testing in June.
Crown Mountain Coking Coal Project
The company’s 90%-owned Crown Mountain Project is located in the Elk Valley coal field in south eastern British Columbia. Exploration activities undertaken in 2012 had resulted in the definition of a total open pit coal resource of 90M tonnes at Crown Mountain.
A positive pre-feasibility study (PFS) was released in August 2014 which was later updated in April 2017. The PFS had concluded that the north pit coal is an exceptional high quality hard coking coal that should command benchmark pricing.
The company has now completed the evaluation of coke produced by north pit blend of Crown Mountain coal in a pilot (movable wall) oven (345 KG capacity).
Excellent Carbonization Results
The company noted that carbonization in a pilot coking oven returned excellent results. The carbonization work was performed by CanMet Energy with petrographic analysis completed by Pearson Coal Petrography.
Jameson said that the north pit coal has a pilot Coke strength after reaction (CSR) of 73.5, confirming previous results determined by the smaller sole heated oven, a volatile matter of 20%, and very low oven wall and gas pressures of 2.5 kPa (0.36 psi) and 1.4 kPa (0.20 psi) respectively.
Other important results include JIS Drum Index (DI30/15) of 92.7, (DI150/15) of 81.5, ASTM coke stability of 59, ASTM coke hardness of 67, Micum M40 of 74, and Irsid I40 of 47.
The company pointed out that the feed coal has a Free swelling index (FSI) of 7, Dry ash of 9 percent, Sulphur of 0.56 percent, Phosphorous of 0.05 percent, and Mean Maximum Reflectance (RoMax) of 1.36.
South Pit Coal Samples To Follow
The company said that the south pit coal samples are following the identical path as the north pit coal. Currently, individual seam splits are being analysed at a Calgary facility after which a representative blend is planned to be made and shipped to a pilot plant in Denver.
The company said that after washing the clean product will be shipped to Ottawa for CanMet carbonization in the pilot oven and the resulting analyses.
What’s Next?
Jameson reported that the Bankable Feasibility study and Application for an Environmental Assessment Certificate are both underway, as the Project is being advanced expeditiously toward the objective of constructing and operating a high-quality and low-cost open pit hard coking coal mine.