Metallurgical studies and test work on ore samples from the Cyclone and Chinook deposits within American West Metals’ (ASX: AW1) Storm copper project in Canada have shown the potential to generate commercial-grade direct shipping ore (DSO) products.
Production modelling of Cyclone samples with a nominated 1.5 million tonnes per annum throughput delivered up to 22% copper concentrate for up to 14,000t of metal using feed grades of up to 1.5%.
Modelling of Chinook delivered up to 22% copper concentrate for up to 16,000tpa of metal at the same feed grade.
Range of grades
A two-circuit ore sorting and inline pressure jig stream has been determined suitable for a range of DSO concentrate grades – producing strong yields of copper – and could be optimised to suit increased mining production rates and selective concentrate grades.
The proof-of-concept processing option is expected to significantly de-risk the Storm project from a development, funding and permitting perspective.
Estimated capital costs for the operation would be up to US$23 million in DSO plant expenditure and US$4/t for processing, benchmarked against similar operations in Australia and overseas.
‘Uncomplicated process’
Managing director Dave O’Neill said the DSO study results represented a major milestone for the company.
“This program has produced commercial-grade DSO products from typical copper ores through an uncomplicated and low-cost process,” he said.
“The process of generating DSO at Storm is amazingly simple and highlights our focus on generating environment-friendly and low capital development solutions.”
“This project now stands out as one of the […] highest-grade DSO copper opportunities globally.”
“It is game-changing for the Storm project and world-leading in terms of copper processing innovation and performance.”
Maiden MRE
The Storm project represents a high-grade open-pit copper opportunity for American West.
A maiden indicated and inferred mineral resource estimate (MRE) earlier this year totalled 17.5Mt at 1.2% copper and 3.4 grams per tonne silver (205,000t copper and 1.9 million ounces silver), which the company is building on with 20,000 metres of resource upgrade and expansion drilling.
Mr O’Neill said ongoing test work had shown further upside potential at Storm and includes continuing variability, comminution and optimisation studies on the Cyclone, Chinook and Thunder deposits.
