Magnum Mining & Exploration’s (ASX: MGU) recently completed metallurgical test work on ore from its Buena Vista Green Pig Iron Project mine site in Nevada, USA has confirmed a +68% Fe product can be produced.
Two ore types were tested: medium grade and low grade ores. Grind size recovery tests showed that medium grade ores could deliver a 68.4% Fe product with a 48% weight recovery at an industry standard 45μm grind size. Low grade ores had a weight recovery of 20%.
Crucially, the study concluded that the current beneficiation plant design needs very little change from that proposed in the 2011 Feasibility Study. Considerable costs will be saved by not repeating past design work.
In addition to the recovery test work, ore hardness, through the Crushing Work and Bond Work Indices, were measured. This shows that the CWi is about a third of that measured from Banded Iron Formation sourced magnetite for medium grades and about half for low grade Buena Vista ores. This relates directly to how much power is required to crush and grind the ore, making the Buena Vista ore highly competitive compared to bif related ores.
The test work was designed to check the work done for the project’s 2011 Feasibility Study to inform the company’s in progress Scoping Study. Specialist metallurgical consultants Mineralconsult Pty Ltd managed the test work at ALS’ laboratory in Perth and undertook the interpretation of the results.
The Buena Vista iron resource consists of 232Mt @22.6% DTR with an additional 450 to 540Mt @15 to 22% Fe1 in Exploration Target Estimate. The ore consists of disseminated to massive magnetite that ranges in grade from less than 10% Fe, the cut-off used in the resource estimation, to over 60% Fe. The study proposed that processing of these ores can be further enhanced by undertaking material type classification by pursuing a pre-beneficiation blend that will optimise recovery.
Next Steps
The Scoping Study is now underway and will incorporate these results.
An ore classification study is being initiated. The outcomes from the study will assists in identifying the ore’s physical parameters that can optimise the flowsheet for efficient material throughput while maximising product quality.
Buena Vista Iron Deposit is located approximately 160km east-north-east of Reno in the mining friendly state of Nevada, United States. It was discovered in the late 1890’s and in the late 1950’s to early 1960’s around 900,000 tonnes of direct shipping magnetite ore with an estimated grade of 58% Fe was mined.
Development
Mining permits are in place to develop the Buena Vista Iron Mine. The company has re-aligned the project from a simple mining, concentration and exporting model to a green pig iron producer. Using cutting edge technology in tandem with biochar sources, the Company is capitalising on a first-mover advantage to supply green pig iron to the USA steel industry.
For further information please visit: https://www.mmel.com.au/
