Great Western Minerals Provides Metallurgical Update on Steenkampskraal Project
07 10월 2013 - 7:55PM
Marketwired
Great Western Minerals Provides Metallurgical Update on
Steenkampskraal Project
SASKATOON, SK--(Marketwired - Oct 7, 2013) - Great Western
Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: GWG)
(OTCQX: GWMGF), a leader in the manufacture and supply of rare
earth-based metal alloys and high purity metals with a low cost,
high-grade critical rare earth asset, provided an update on
metallurgical advances on the Steenkampskraal ("SKK") rare earth
project.
Company President and CEO Marc LeVier stated, "We continue to
make significant progress in de-risking the SKK project. The
metallurgical testing is providing positive data with regard to the
design criteria and flow sheet development and has validated
assumptions in the PEA. We have confirmed the value of
pre-concentration techniques and testing has shown there is an
opportunity to simplify the flow sheet. This will allow for
improved process efficiency and lower operating costs. The
development work continues to demonstrate that the SKK project is
one of the most robust REE deposits in the world with very low
capital requirements supported by very high TREO grades."
In 2013, the Company divided the metallurgical testing into
three phases and, to date, has completed phase one and
significantly advanced phase two. Test work is progressing and
is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. The
current testing program in respect of optimization is being
conducted by GWMG staff, along with Mintek in South Africa and the
Saskatchewan Research Council in Saskatoon.
Phase 1: Metallurgical Flow Sheet Development
Testing
|
|
|
TESTWORKPERFORMED |
|
HIGHLIGHTS |
X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) and X-ray Transmission (XRT) |
|
-- XRF sorting results were promising, but had limited
applicability -- XRT sorting demonstrated that 28% of overall mass
can be rejected as waste with less than 2% total rare earth oxide
("TREO") loss |
Gravity separation techniques |
|
-- Shaking tables and spirals eliminated from consideration due to
poor test results -- Dense media separation (DMS) testing
demonstrated that 43% of the feed weight can be rejected as waste
with less than 1% TREO loss |
Magnetic separation techniques |
|
-- Low intensity magnetic separation test results indicated limited
mass reduction and significant TREO loss -- Dry high intensity
magnetic separation resulted in improved TREO recoveries with mass
reduction in the range of 15% |
Monazite flotation |
|
-- Rougher flotation recovered up to 97% of TREO with a concentrate
grade of 41% TREO -- Rougher concentrate grade was further upgraded
to greater than 48% TREO with the flotation recovery of 89% |
|
|
|
Phase 2: Evaluation of Hydrometallurgical Processing of
Monazite Concentrates
|
|
|
TESTWORK PERFORMED |
|
HIGHLIGHTS |
Chemical beneficiation |
|
-- Nitric acid treatment on the monazite flotation concentrate
improved the TREO grade to 53% |
Cracking options: caustic and sulphuric acid |
|
-- Caustic cracking of a run of mine sample followed by acid leach
demonstrated that a TREO extraction of approximately 80% can be
achieved -- When a monazite flotation concentrate with a 41% TREO
grade was treated in a similar manner, a TREO extraction of 89% was
obtained -- Test work continues to refine the process to improve
extractions |
Purification |
|
-- Hydrometallurgical testing demonstrated that radium, thorium and
other radioactive components can be selectively removed from the
leach solutions -- Solution purification testing is continuing to
evaluate different methodologies |
|
|
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Phase 3: Optimization and Finalization of Process
Design
|
|
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TESTWORK PERFORMED |
|
HIGHLIGHTS |
Optimization and finalization |
|
-- Metallurgical testing continues to optimize the process design
parameters for the selection of the final flow sheet and the
completion of an NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study -- Numerous
flow sheet schemes have been evaluated and reduced to five overall
processes. Further testing will reduce the options to the final
flow sheet selection for the feasibility study which is in
progress |
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Qualified Person Statement Baodong Zhao (PhD, P.Eng.),
Vice-President, Metallurgy of GWMG, is the Qualified Person (as
defined under National Instrument 43-101) responsible for
supervising the preparation of the technical content of this news
release.
About GWMG Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. is a leader
in the manufacture and supply of rare earth-based alloys and high
purity metals with a low cost, high-grade critical rare earth
asset. Its specialty alloys are used in the battery, magnet
and aerospace industries. Produced at the Company's
wholly-owned subsidiaries, Less Common Metals Limited in Ellesmere
Port, U.K. and Great Western Technologies Inc. in Troy, Michigan,
these alloys contain transition metals, including nickel, cobalt,
iron and other rare earth elements. As part of the Company's
vertical integration strategy, GWMG also holds 100% equity
ownership in Rare Earth Extraction Co. Limited, which controls the
Steenkampskraal monazite mine in South Africa. The Company
also holds interests in four rare earth exploration properties in
North America that are not active.
The Company routinely posts news and other information on its
website at www.gwmg.ca.
Email inquiries can also be made to info@gwmg.ca.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement Certain information set out in this
News Release constitutes forward-looking
information. Forward-looking statements (often, but not
always, identified by the use of words such as "expect", "may",
"could", "anticipate" or "will" and similar expressions) may
describe expectations, opinions or guidance that are not statements
of fact and which may be based upon information provided by third
parties. Forward-looking statements are based upon the opinions,
expectations and estimates of management of GWMG as at the date the
statements are made and are subject to a variety of known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause
actual events or outcomes to differ materially from those
anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements. Those
factors include, but are not limited to the assumptions and
estimates in the preliminary economic assessment of the
Steenkampskraal project proving to be accurate over time; the
construction, commissioning and operation of the proposed monazite
processing facility and separation facility within estimated
parameters; mine refurbishment activities; reliance on third
parties to meet projected timelines and commencement of production
at Steenkampskraal; risks related to the receipt of all required
approvals including those relating to the commencement of
production at the Steenkampskraal mine, delays in obtaining
permits, licenses and operating authorities in Canada, South Africa
and China, environmental matters, water and land use risks; risks
associated with the industry in general, commodity prices and
exchange rate changes, operational risks associated with
exploration, development and production operations, delays or
changes in plans, including those estimated in the preliminary
economic assessment of the Steenkampskraal project; risks
associated with the uncertainty of resource estimates; health and
safety risks; uncertainty of estimates and projections of
production, costs and expenses; risks that future Steenkampskraal
and region exploration results may not meet exploration or
corporate objectives; the adequacy of the Company's financial
resources and the availability of additional cash from operations
or from financing on reasonable terms or at all; political risks
inherent in South Africa and China; risks associated with the
relationship between GWMG and/or its subsidiaries and communities
and governments in Canada and South Africa, radioactivity and
related issues, dependence on one mineral project; loss of, and the
inability to attract, key personnel; the factors discussed in the
Company's public disclosure record; and other factors that could
cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated. In light
of the risks and uncertainties associated with forward-looking
statements, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon
forward-looking information. Although GWMG believes that the
expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements set out in
this press release or incorporated herein by reference are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will
prove to have been correct. Except as required by law, GWMG does
not assume any obligation to update forward looking statements as
set out in this news release. The forward-looking statements of
GWMG contained in this News Release, or incorporated herein by
reference, are expressly qualified, in their entirety, by this
cautionary statement and the risk factors contained in GWMG's
Annual Information Form available at www.sedar.com.
For more information contact: Investor Relations: Deborah K.
Pawlowski 716.843.3908 Email Contact Craig P. Mychajluk
716.843.3832 Email Contact
(TSXV:GWG)
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