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Caravel Minerals Limited (ASX:CVV) is pleased to announce The Caravel Copper Project Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) Update – Single Train Option Study (see ASX Announcement 20 September 2022) outlined the adoption of a single train design using High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGRs) in the processing plant’s primary grinding circuit, replacing Semi-Autogenous Grinding (SAG) mills originally selected in the PFS released on 12 July 2022. Further testwork has now been completed, better defining the assumptions used for the HPGR performance and specifications.
HIGHLIGHTS
- High Pressure Grinding Roll (HPGR) tests confirm Pre-feasibility Study design assumptions, including required crusher performance, reduced energy usage and higher throughput rates
- Results confirm commercial scale assumptions supporting a 27Mtpa Project with potential for future upside capacity
- Further studies will explore operating strategies to optimise power consumption and pricing
A two (2) tonne bulk sample from the Bindi East and Hinge Zone starter pits was sent for HPGR testing at the Bureau Veritas Mineral Laboratory in Perth, Western Australia. The work was conducted using an Enduron® test unit with a roll diameter of 0.80m and 0.25m wide. A total of six (6) tests were performed to determine grinding performance, energy use, wear rates, and design parameters for commercial scale application.
The tests achieved the expected size reduction from ~30mm to ~8mm, under an operating pressure of 3N/mm2 while consuming 1.6 kWh/t and operating at a nominal throughput rate of 265t/hr-m3. The positive results confirm the PFS assumptions which are typical for copper ores and confirm HPGR’s can achieve Caravel’s processing plant throughput of 27mtpa..
Two HPGRs will be incorporated into the overall crushing and grinding circuit, consisting of a primary gyratory crusher, secondary cone crushers, HPGRs and ball mills. The project is evaluating the merits of selecting industry proven HPGRs sized at 2.4m diameter, each with 8MW drives.
Additional tests are underway to optimise the energy usage across the HPGR crushing ball mill grinding circuit. Power management is an increasingly important opportunity for grid connected facilities that seek to maximise their utilisation of renewable energy and reduce exposure to short duration price peaks.
This announcement is authorised for release by Managing Director Don Hyma.
About High Pressure Grinding Rolls (HPGR’s)
HPGR units originated from the cement sector and were introduced in the mid-1980s for use in the diamond and iron ore sectors. They are now widely used in the general metalliferous industry. The copper and gold sector has increasingly used HPGRs to process harder and more abrasive ores. With more applications of the technology and ongoing development, operability and reliability has improved with industry benchmarks demonstrating operating availability of more than 90%.
Unlike conventional roll crushing, HPGR achieves a size reduction through inter-particle compression rather than crushing of particles between the roll surfaces. Abrasion on the roll surface is managed by replaceable studs composed of highly abrasion resistant alloys. These studs are the only consumables for operation of the HPGR and can be rapidly replaced when necessary. This results in minimal downtime for maintenance and allows HPGR’s to operate with very high reliability.
Image illustrating direction of material movement through a HPGR
Image of an abrasion resistant HPGR studded roll
HPGR test unit at Bureau Veritas Minerals Laboratory, Perth, Australia
Caravel ore crushed using Enduron® test unit
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This article includes content from Caravel Minerals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
High grade Massive Sulphide Intercepts Confirmed at Oval
HIGHLIGHTS:
- OVD027 confirms the continution of high grade massive sulphide from OVD0211 with an intercept of 6.1 metres of 4.16% Cu, 3.51% Ni, 0.G3g/t E3, and 0.13% Co from G8.2 metres encountered between broader high grade zones of:
- A dense disseminated intercept - 26.2 metres of 0.44% Cu, 0.52% Ni, 0.12g/t E3, and 0.03% Co from 72.0 metres and
- A net textured intercept - 15.3 metres of 1.15% Cu, 0.79% Ni, 0.35g/t E3, and 0.04% Co from 104.3 metres;
- A high grade broad intersection is confirmed at the central part of the Oval area by OVD026. It includes a massive sulphide intercept in hole OVD026 of 1.8 metres of 3.21% Cu, 3.32% Ni, 0.6Gg/t E3, and 0.14% Co from 105.0 metres within broader mineralisation of:
- 19.8 metres of 1.23% Cu, 0.98% Ni, 0.36g/t E3, and 0.05% Co from 91.2 metres.
OVD026 is located 100 metres northwest of the previously announced 8.8 metres of massive sulphide identified in drillhole OVD021.
On completion of the Phase 2 exploration work and receipt of all assays, Managing Director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren, commented:“The 2024 Phase 1 and 2 drilling and exploration programs have confirmed the broad presence of high-grade mineralisation in the Oval gabbroic intrusion. The grades intercepted in some of the drillholes are exceptional and may be indicative of broader potential over a larger area, given Oval is a greenfields discovery.
The 2025 exploration program will focus on obtaining information on the size/metal content potential of the Oval Cu-Ni-PGE mineral system as well as targeting the possible deeper magmatic sources at Oval. Broader exploration is also planned at potential extensions of Oval and nearby look-a-like prospects. We look forward to updating shareholders on progress, with drilling expected to commence in around 8 weeks”.
Summary of Phase 2 exploration drilling at Oval Cu-Ni-PGE project
The Company’s recent drilling work has predominantly focused on finding high-grade mineralisation in the olivine-amphibole gabbro at the Oval project. The multiple intercepts of massive sulphide mineralisation with different ratios of metal contents throughout the Oval gabbroic intrusion is highly encouraging for the presence of one or more deeper sources of high grade mineralisation in the opinion of ABM.
Figure 1. Plan view of drillhole locations on high resolution magnetics map (RTP)
Drillhole OVD02c
Drillhole OVD026 was designed to test the Down-Hole Electromagnetic (DHEM) conductor plate identified as OVD007_L2_B (reinterpretation of OVD007_L2_A2 by Southern Geoscience Consultants), which exhibits a conductance of 1,000 siemens. The drilling intersected a total of 1G.8 metres of mineralisation with 1.23% Cu, 0.G8% Ni, 0.36g/t E3, and 0.05% Co from G1.2 metres including;
- 4.8 metres of @ 0.45% Cu, 0.43% of Ni, 0.14g/t E3, and 0.02% Co of dense disseminated mineralised gabbro from 91.2 metres,
- 6.6 metres of @ 1.56% Cu, 0.G0% Ni, 0.50g/t E3, and 0.04% Co of net textured mineralisation from G6.0 metres,
- 2.4 metres of @ 1.52% Cu, 1.3G% Ni, 0.43g/t E3, and 0.07% Co of semi massive sulphide mineralisation from 102.6 metres,
- 1.8 metres of @ 3.21% Cu, 3.32% Ni, 0.6Gg/t E3, and 0.14% Co of massive sulphide mineralisation from 105.0 metres, and
- 4.2 metres of @ 0.57% Cu, 0.45% of Ni, 0.21g/t E3, and 0.02% Co of dense disseminated mineralised gabbro from 106.9 metres (Table 1 provides a detailed breakdown of mineralisation intervals).
OVD026 is located in the Oval area, which is approximately 100 metres northwest of the previous intersection identified in drillhole OVD0213. This intercept may represent an extension of the known massive sulphide mineralisation in the Oval area and highlights the potential for further expansion of massive sulphide zones within the broader prospect area (Figures 1 and 3).
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This article includes content from Asian Battery Metals PLC, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
