Outcomes Support Development Of Pitombeiras Ferrovanadium Project To Production
Jangada Mines plc (AIM:JAN) has received positive bench and pilot scale metallurgical test results on ferrovanadium-bearing titanomagnetite samples from the company’s 100%-owned Pitombeiras Ferrovanadium (FeV) Project in Brazil.
The pilot scale metallurgical tests have been conducted at Brazil’s most prestigious and established mineral and metallurgy institute, Fundação Gorceix, located in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. With over 80 years of experience, particularly working with major iron ore companies, Fundação Gorceix is an ISO 9001:2008 accredited Institution and independent of Jangada Mines plc.
The bench and pilot scale test works yielded excellent results through magnetic separation using dry and wet concentration routes to produce a ferrovanadium-rich concentrate, supporting the operation for a saleable FeV-rich magnetite concentrate containing a minimum of 62% Fe and additional credit from 1.2% contained V2O5.
Highlights
- Pilot plant scale metallurgical tests have confirmed that the magnetite responded very well to wet magnetic separation, generating mass recoveries of 52.6% for oxidized ore material, 41.8% for transition ore material and 53.1% for fresh rock
- Metallurgical recoveries varied from 58.8% to 73.0% Fe and 70.5% to 87.55% V2O5, with low SiO2 and Al2O3 content
- High-grade nature of Fe material associated with prevailing Fe international benchmark prices (IODEX62%) and premiums paid above Fe 62%, makes Jangada’s potential concentrate product highly attractive, which could lead to a highly economical operation
- Favourable results to be incorporated into ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study (‘DFS’), expected to be completed in Q3 2021
Chairman, Brian McMaster, said the results support continued development of Pitombeiras project to production
“Today’s announcement represents a further exciting step forward in the development of Pitombeiras,”Mr McMaster said.
“The metallurgical tests performed on a pilot plant scale are highly encouraging and confirm that Jangada is on the right path of project development. The quality of our FeV product associated with prevailing iron ore prices, should highly benefit the Pitombeiras Project’s economics and we are in fast-track mode towards our objective to become a producer in H1 2022.
“These metallurgical test results, along with recently reported upsized mineral resources estimates, are now being incorporated into the ongoing Definitive Feasibility Study; meanwhile, the team has been working on quoting capex and opex with already identified suppliers. The favourable results also provide us with the necessary information to further advance the negotiations with potential traders and possible local buyers. It has been a busy time at Jangada and we are very excited to share developments as they unfold.”
Jangada collected volumetric samples from surface outcrops and executed one twin drill hole for bench and pilot scale metallurgical testworks, which have been conducted in three laboratories, including: 1) Fundação Gorceix (based in Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais – Brazilian’s iron ore reference laboratory); 2) Metso Brasil Indústria e Comércio Ltda (based in Sorocaba, SP-Brazil) and 3) Motta de Lafões Geologia (based in Belo Horizonte, MG-Brazil). Petrographic and mineralogical studies have also been completed to support the metallurgical testworks.
The metallurgical tests commissioned by Jangada have processed ore materials from the Pitombeiras project in bench and pilot plant scale using dry and wet magnetic routes. It has been demonstrated that the ferrovanadium-bearing magnetite rocks respond quite positively to wet magnetic separation after being classified, milled, and concentrated to < 0.2mm granulometry.
Considering the weathering/oxidation nature of the Pitombeiras FeV mineraliwation, three different types of rock materials have been tested: the Oxidised surficial material, the Transition zone and the Fresh rock.
The mass recovery in pilot plant scale of the magnetic fractions from these three materials were 52.6%, 41.8% and 53.1%, respectively, yielding metallurgical recoveries varying from 58.8% to 73.0% Fe and 70.5% to 87.55% V2O5.
Mr McMaster said the high-grade nature of Pitombeiras Fe material associated with prevailing Fe international benchmark prices (IODEX 62%Fe CFR China) and premiums paid above Fe62%, makes Jangada’s potential concentrate product highly attractive, which could drive a highly economical operation. The results also establish that the magnetic recoveries produce a low SiO2 and low Al2O3 product, which is highly sought after as well.
A pilot operation under the trial mining licence can be developed with a starter open pit operation utilising a contract mining fleet of hydraulic excavators, front-end loaders, 30 tonnes haul trucks, rotary drill rigs and ancillary equipment. The selected beneficiation process route is composed by crushing and screening, and dry and wet magnetic concentration.
For further information please visit: https://jangadamines.com/
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