Further leaching efficiency has been achieved for Resource Mining Corporation's (
Recent test work has further optimized the organic acid leaching process, which has achieved nickel extraction of up to 98% from the saprolite material after less than 30 minutes. The test work on the limonite material confirms previous work with leach extractions of up to 80% after 90 minutes.
Comparison between Leach Extraction Results
Limonite
July 2011 Leach Extraction Results: Up to 80% Ni in 1 1/2 hours
Updated Leach Extraction Results: Up to 80% Ni in 1 1/2 hours
Saprolite
July 2011 Leach Extraction Results: Up to 85% Ni in 4 hours
Updated Leach Extraction Results: 98% Ni in less than 1/2 hour
The key optimization parameters determined in the latest test work related to residence time and temperature.
"The relatively short leaching time has the potential to require a significantly smaller processing plant and higher throughput compared to a traditional inorganic acid plant and this is likely to improve the cost dynamics for tropical nickel laterite deposits considerably," said Resource Mining Corporation Managing Director Warwick Davies.
Downstream processing testwork programs to recover the nickel and cobalt from leached slurries have commenced with initial results expected in April.
About Resource Mining Corporation Limited
Resource Mining Corporation Limited (ASX:RMI) is a Perth-based specialist mineral exploration company creating wealth from mineral commodities using innovative technical, marketing and financial skills as it explores for economic metal deposits in Australia and Papua New Guinea. The company has a strong commitment to sustainable development and aims to realize world class mineral opportunities through science-based innovation, expert environmental analysis and best practice community stakeholder engagement.
Contact
Warwick DaviesManaging Director
Phone: +61-8-9213-9400
Mobile: +61-418-949-759
Email: wd@resmin.com.au
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