PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Metals developer Stellar Resources is investigating ore sorting technology at the Heemskirk tin project, in Tasmania.
The junior reported on Thursday that an initial X-ray sorting test programme, using drill core from the Severn and Lower Queen Hill deposits, was able to identify and separate high density tin bearing particles from waste.
“Initial testing of ore sorting has provided encouragement to fully explore the potential of this rapidly evolving technology and its ability to enhance the Heemsirk tin project economics,” said Stellar MD Peter Blight.
“Stellar is determined to take full advantage of technological innovations to advance Heemskirk tin towards development in this improving tin price environment,” he added.
It is hoped that the ore sorting will result in increased tin head grade, reduced negative impact of mine dilution on head great, and potentially reduce downstream reagent use.
However, the benefits had to be measured against the cost of tin losses in the waste stream.
The Heemskirk project was expected to produce some 4 527 t/y tin in concentrate over a mine life of nearly seven years, based on a mining inventory of 3.95-million tonnes, grading at 1.06% tin.