Latin Resources highlights positive results from Guadalupito testing
Latin Resources (ASX: LRS)
has overcome a key hurdle with the successful concentration of
andalusite and magnetite using gravity techniques indicative of
industrial scale processes on Los Conchales composite from the
Guadalupito project in Peru.
In addition, the use of Batch Reflux Classifier (BRC) is significantly more efficient than the use of wet table methodology.
Notably,
80% of the andalusite recovered was more than 80% liberated, grading
60% Al2O3 and 0.2% Fe2O3 which is the target specification for the final
high purity Andalusite product in future bulk testing.
Andalusite
was successfully recovered from the BRC concentrate using high
intensity magnetic separation while magnetite was recovered using low
intensity magnetic separation.
“We are very encouraged with these
advances in testing of samples representing our billion tonne Los
Conchales Resource,” managing director Chris Gale said.
“Clearly
we have overcome a major hurdle in being able to successfully recover
and concentrate andalusite by scalable cost-effective gravity methods,
and at the same time we are very pleased to be able to provide a quality
magnetite concentrate for evaluation by our natural market located only
25 kilometres from the project.”
Gale added that the next phase of bulk testing was designed to recover andalusite product samples for marketing purposes.
Scope also exists for recovering other valuable heavy minerals such as Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon.
Andalusite Testwork
Latin
had submitted a 50 kilogram sand fraction from a 2,000 kilogram bulk
sample composite to both Allied Mineral Laboratories (AML) and Valdrew
Nominees (Nagrom) in Perth, Western Australia.
This composite had heavy mineral grade of 10.4% with the heavy mineral assemblage containing 24% magnetite and 23% andalusite.
Both
laboratories undertook detailed characterisation of the samples using
different, but equally thorough methodologies that utilised various
combinations of Heavy Liquid Separations (HLS), size fraction analysis,
magnetic fractionation and gravity concentration.
AML used wet table methodology while Nagrom used a Batch Reflux Classifier and also trialled wet tabling separately.
This
demonstrated the recovery of magnetite and andalusite by scalable
gravity concentration equipment and also the separation and
concentration of each mineral by magnetic fractionation.
The
outcomes of the testing are an important step towards defining process
for recovery of a high purity Andalusite concentrate from Los Conchales
ore.
Magnetite Testwork
While the test
results performed in Australia have confirmed gravity and magnetic
process to concentrate magnetite, this has been previously demonstrated
at Guadalupito and other work has been ongoing in parallel to provide
the larger quantities of concentrate required for marketing purposes.
The
company has used available third party pilot plant equipment in Peru to
recover a 1,880 kg of magnetite concentrate grading 61.4% iron and 2.2%
TiO2.
This has been dispatched to the Gerdau Group in Brazil,
owner of the Steel Foundry located 25 km south of Los Conchales, for
testing
Andalusite
The natural high
purity characteristics of the andalusite at Guadalupito are expected to
facilitate production of a premium product.
Importantly, the
potential for achieving an andalusite product of 60% Al2O3 and 0.2$
Fe2O3 is encouraging given that its price ramps up with higher alumina
content – typically 55% to 59% - along with low iron content (0.5% to
1%).
Andalusite is one of the few mineral commodities that has experienced a sustained rise in price and demand over the past decade.
Prices had averaged US$400 per tonne in 2012, up from just under US$350 in 2010.
Approximately
90% of the consumption of the Al2SiO5 are for refractory use in the
steel industry, the non-ferrous industry, the glass industry and the
cement industry.
Ground andalusite is most commonly used as a
mass additive in the manufacture of sanitary and kitchen ceramics, tiles
and electro-porcelain as well as brake shoes.
Guadalupito
Latin
had in December 2013 received surface rights covering the 1.073 billion
tonne JORC inferred resource at Los Conchales and much of the 4.5Bt
conceptual exploration target.
They allow unrestricted and
exclusive access to the land overlying the mining concessions for future
exploration and development work, including mining: provided other
corresponding authorisations and permits are obtained.
Los Conchales resource covers just 1,350 hectares of the Guadalupito project.
It
is located in unpopulated desert, adjacent to Panamerican Highway, just
15 kilometres from the Santa River, 25 kilometres by road to Peru’s
largest steel smelter and 29 kilometres by road to Chimbote Port.
Analysis
With
testwork successfully recovering high quality andalusite grading 60%
Al2O3 and 0.2% Fe2O3 from samples taken from Guadalupito project in
Peru, Latin Resources could potential produce a premium product from the billion tonne Los Conchales Resource.
That this hurdle was overcome using scalable cost-effective gravity methods is another positive.
Latin
has also successfully produced a quality magnetite concentrate that
could potentially be sold into the local market in Peru.
Recovering a 1,880 kg magnetite concentrate grading 61.4% Fe and 2.2% TiO2 from Guadalupito is very promising indeed.
It
was dispatched to the Gerdau Group in Brazil, owner of the Steel
Foundry located 25 km south of Los Conchales, which will evaluate the
concentrate as feedstock for their SiderPeru operation.
That
Latin's market for the product is located only 25 km from the project is
a significant plus which provides a strong price catalyst ahead.
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