Australia

Rafaella Resources lands positive ore sorting results for flagship Santa Comba tungsten and tin mine in Spain

Rafaella Resources Ltd (ASX:RFR) has described the ore sorting test results received from Tomra Sorting Solutions for its flagship Santa Comba tungsten and tin mine in Galicia, northwest Spain, as exceptional.

A grade recovery curve shows potential for more than 90% tungsten recovery, with an increased yield of up to 55% of feed mass.

The overall results showed a 50% rejection of unmineralised rock and near doubling of feed grade, lowering planned process capital and operating expenditures, and enhancing process efficiency through a simpler process flow sheet.

Testing highly positive[hhmc]

Testing of the pre-concentration of Santa Comba ores was highly positive and allows Rafaella to review several opportunities to simplify the process plant thereby reducing capital costs and operating costs for the project.

Tomra's testing of low-grade ores also showed viable recovery from over 2 million tonnes of mineralisation not currently factored into the projects economics.

Further, the 50% reduction in process tonnage reduces the projects environmental impact, with a far lower volume of waste generated, lower energy consumption per unit of metal produced and lower water consumption

It is estimated that for a throughput of 1 million tonnes of feed ore and around 500,000 tonnes per year of pre-concentrate, two XRT units would be required.

"Exceeds expectations"[hhmc]

Rafaella managing director Steven Turner said: “The results from the ore sorting test-work have exceeded the companys expectations.

“The clear discrimination between ore-bearing rock and low-grade or barren rock has delivered high recoveries and yields allowing for a simpler process plant.

“The benefits of this simplification will be significant once the metallurgical studies are completed.

“These results are now being fed into the feasibility study that is in the final stages of completion and the company looks forward to providing the market with these exciting updates on the fast-tracking of its flagship project over the coming weeks.”

Simplified process plant[hhmc]

The highly positive test results allow Rafaella to review several opportunities to simplify the process plant, thereby reducing capital and operating costs.

Tomra's test program tested two bulk samples selected from assayed drill core crushed to two size groups – +8 millimetres to -20 millimetres and +20 millimetres to -40 millimetres.

Sample No 40 was around 1,100 kilograms of average grade ore at 0.15% tungsten trioxide while sample No 41 was around 250 kilograms of low-grade ore at 0.05% tungsten trioxide.

The reports conclusion was “the results from this test-work were positive for both sizes and samples. Significant upgrades of tungsten trioxide as well as high recoveries were achieved in all test runs for sample '40' usRead More – Source

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