Blackstone Minerals Limited (ASX:BSX) have recommenced mining activities at the company’s 90% owned Ta Khoa Nickel Project in northern Vietnam.
Using a combination of Australian and Vietnamese mining professionals and operators, Blackstone will:
- Complete ~1,000m of development through the Ban Phuc disseminated orebody generating nickel ore representative of the life of mine plant feed.
- Recommission the Ban Phuc Nickel Concentrator to produce two batches of Nickel Concentrate for use in the Ta Khao Refinery piloting programmes.
- Deliver the first batch of concentrate to Perth for treatment by ALS Laboratories in the first phase piloting program.
- Process and store the second batch for use in the second phase pilot plant which will be built in Son La in 2022.
“The recommencement of mining activity is an important milestone for the company, and the speed at which approvals were secured is a testament to the expertise and relationships our team has on the ground in Vietnam,” Managing Director, Scott Williamson, said.
“The mining programme will provide significant quantities of disseminated ore which will be processed at the existing Ban Phuc Nickel Concentrator and subsequent pilot plants. The opportunity to treat this quantity of ore de- risks both the upstream and downstream business unit development strategies.”
“Blackstone is committed to sustainable mining and looks forward to producing meaningful quantities of NCM Precursor from piloting in Vietnam, in parallel with our engagement and collaboration with potential partners and customers for our vertically integrated development strategy.”
Mining Programme
In December 2021, Blackstone was granted approval to recommence mining activities as part of our ongoing development of the Ta Khao Project. Approval was received to perform mining works that will involve completion of ~1,000m of lateral development.
The development drive starts from the 1,270mRL level of existing Ban Phuc underground workings (approximately 130m below natural ground level) and extends completely through the middle of the Ban Phuc disseminated sulphide resource. Multiple cross cuts extend from the main development drive to provide access to a wide distribution of ore zones.
Ban Phuc Nickel Concentrator
Ore produced from the mining programme will be processed through the existing 450ktpa Ban Phuc concentrator. Blackstone has finalised studies to temporarily de-rate the existing plants capacity to suit the requirements of the pilot programme.
Blackstone has refurbished the Ban Phuc concentrator over the last six months. The crushing circuit was recommissioned in November 2021, with ore commissioning planned for the mill and flotation circuit in January 2022.
- The first parcel of ore will be treated in a semi-batch manner. Approximately 10 tonnes (t’s) of 8% nickel concentrate will be shipped to ALS in Perth for use in the phase 1 piloting programme.
- Following this first campaign, several larger campaigns will be used to test the milling and flotation performance of the Ban Phuc disseminated sulfide, and generate nickel concentrate for further large-scale piloting use. This concentrate will be bagged and stored in containers for treatment through the Phase 2 Pilot Plaint in Vietnam.
- Blackstone has also purchased an upstream pilot plant capable of treating 250kg/hr. During the main campaigns, Blackstone will also run multiple trials through this pilot facility to optimise flotation parameters for the DFS, as well as testing pilot versions of key process equipment.
For further information please visit: https://www.blackstoneminerals.com.au/
