German potash exploration and development company South Harz Potash (ASX:SHP) reports it has received ‘encouraging’ results from metallurgical testwork that confirms the process route selected for the Ohmgebirge Development Project scoping study in Germany.
The company says the metallurgical testwork was completed by K-UTEC AG Salt Technologies (K-UTEC) and performed on core samples collected from drillholes OHM-01 and OHM-02.
The results of this testwork confirm the process route selected by the company for the scoping study is suitable for processing the ore type expected to be delivered to the mill. South Harz states the results confirm a preliminary crushing size of under 4mm will enable potassium chloride (KCl) extraction from the cold leach stage of the process flow design.
It also states the selected processing route is expected to achieve production of K60 (agricultural sales grade) Muriate of Potash (MOP) that is the standard of the global potash industry.
South Harz Potash Managing Director Luis da Silva says: “Outcomes from the recent scoping study were based on conventional KCl processing routes common to the potash industry.
We are delighted to report that metallurgical testwork results received from K-UTEC validate the selected processing route is appropriate for the Ohmgebirge Development Project. Importantly, results confirm that saleable MOP product should be easily achievable from the samples provided.
“Metallurgical testing also indicates that high-grade by-products, including NaCl (sodium chloride) are achievable”
Metallurgical testing also indicates that high-grade by-products, including NaCl (sodium chloride) are achievable, providing a ‘significant’ benefit given South Harz’s proximity to well-established European markets.
We are looking forward to beginning the next phase of work in the new year and remain on track with feasibility study workstreams as we continue to advance the Ohmgebirge Development Project towards production.
South Harz reports testwork carried out by K-UTEC in their Sondershausen laboratories located close to the project area considered the quantity and quality of the NaCl by-product expected to be produced from future operations. Results verified the selected process route can produce chemical-grade vacuum salt with a purity exceeding 99%.
K-UTEC further reported that additional magnesium hydroxide (MgOH2) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) by-products can be extracted via the selected processing route. The company also notes a well-established market for chemical-grade NaCl, MgOH3 and CaCO3 exists in the northwestern European area.
Further to this, South Harz reports testwork informed the composition and character of the resultant waste products, and also confirmed that process waste is suitable for use as mine backfill material.
The company also reports further metallurgical and backfill testwork is planned for 2023.
South Harz Potash is a potash exploration and development company focused on its flagship project of the same name, located between Frankfurt and Berlin in Germany.
The South Harz Potash Project covers a total area of around 659km-square and consists of the Ohmgebirge, Ebeleben and Mühlhausen-Nohra mining licences, as well as the Küllstedt and Gräfentonna exploration licences.
The project has a total Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 5 billion tonnes at 10.6% potassium oxide (K2O) of inferred resources and 258 million tonnes at 13.5% K2O of indicated resources across the 4 wholly owned project areas.
Potash is primarily used in fertilisers, as well as aluminium recycling, water softening, animal feed, cement, fire extinguishers, pharmaceutical preparations, food products, textiles, and is also used in brewing beer. It is also combined with silica sand for use in paints, arc welding and ceramics.
Images: South Harz Potash Ltd
