Pensana plc (LON:PRE) has updated on its beneficiation test work at the Sulima West deposit on the Coola exploration licence, located 75 km north of Longonjo. The aim is to determine if the mineralogy at Sulima West can be upgraded onsite before further processing at Longonjo.
Key points from the update include:
Initial Test Results:
- Encouraging results from the samples indicate potential for separation and upgrading to a high-grade concentrate using magnetic and gravity processes.
Composite Laterite Sample:
- Graded 8.4% TREO (total rare earth oxide) with 80% comprising magnetic iron and manganese oxides and 10% REE (rare earth element) rich monazite.
- Magnetic and gravity separation test work targets producing a 50% TREO concentrate.
Apatite-Maghemite Sample:
- Graded 22% P2O5 (phosphate) and upgraded to 42.6% P2O5 using magnetic separation.
- Test work aims to produce a commercially saleable >40% phosphate concentrate.
Sulima West Laterite:
- Covers approximately 6 hectares with strong soil anomaly grading >3% TREO.
- Delineation drilling will follow the beneficiation test work to evaluate the dimensions of the laterite.
Beneficiation Processes:
- A 100-kilogram laterite sample was processed, revealing a head grade of 8.4% TREO.
- Ongoing test work includes magnetic and gravity separation to achieve a 50% TREO concentrate grade.
Sulima West Apatite-Maghemite:
- Sample sourced from an outcropping hill and processed to achieve a 42.6% P2O5 grade using magnetic separation.
- Further test work involves WHIMS (wet high intensity magnetic separation) to get a >38% P2O5 concentrate at maximum yield.
Grant Hayward, Pensana Exploration Manager, indicated that these early results show potential for low-cost physical beneficiation at Sulima West, providing high-grade rare earth concentrate for the Longonjo processing plant.
