Alba Mineral Resources plc will conduct tests for ilmenite products and produce samples for customers and offtake partners at its Thule Black Sands (TBS) project in northern Greenland.
The company added it also expected to increase tonnage at the site by drilling at depth next year.
TBS has a combined mineralised strike length of around 10 km with an inferred resource of 19 million tonnes at 43.6% total heavy mineral, an in-situ Ilmenite grade of 8.9%, and contained ilmenite of 1.7m tonnes.
TESTS
Alba commissioned mineral sands specialists IHC Robbins to perform comprehensive metallurgical process development and test work at the site.
Alba’s executive chairman, George Frangeskides said the future looked “very bright” for TBS.
“This programme is therefore a key step in the process of confirming TBS as a stand-alone development project in its own right and securing the project-level capital to fast-track TBS through the development phase.
“We also plan to substantially increase resource tonnes next year by drilling at depth – remembering that the existing, already significant, 19 million tonne resource is only modelled to the depth of the permafrost horizon, typically 1-2 metres from surface.”
FIRST PHASE
The preliminary feasibility phase of the tests will include sample characterisation and confirmation of conceptual metallurgical process and evaluation of alternative process options and equipment.
It will also involve developing balanced process flow diagrams, and providing recovery calculations, predictions and factors based on X-ray fluorescence and mineralogical analyses.
Alba added that the offshore mineralisation adjacent to the active beaches could also increase the overall size of the deposit.
Ilmenite, a black or steel-grey solid, is an important ore of titanium and the main source of titanium dioxide used in paints, printing inks, fabrics, plastics, paper, sunscreen, food and cosmetics.