This technical report presents a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Ayawilca Polymetallic Project in Peru, with an effective date of 28 February 2024.
Report context
This NI 43-101 Technical Report was prepared for Tinka Resources Limited on the Ayawilca Polymetallic Project, located in Peru. The report was prepared by SRK Consulting (UK) Limited with contributions from SLR, Transmin, Envis, and MineFill. The report date is April 2024, with an effective date of 28 February 2024.
Processing route
Zinc, Lead and Silver Processing
The proposed processing route for zinc, lead and silver comprises a conventional flotation flowsheet. The process begins with primary crushing, followed by grinding and classification. Lead-silver flotation is conducted first, followed by zinc flotation. Zinc concentrate and lead-silver concentrate each undergo dewatering. The tailings are dewatered for disposal.
The process design basis and process design criteria were established for the proposed zinc, lead and silver processing plant. No historical operating data for this flowsheet at the Ayawilca site was presented in the report.
Tin Processing
The proposed tin processing route comprises comminution, beneficiation, and leaching stages. The tin plant design includes these unit operations, followed by tin concentrate dewatering. Tailings are dewatered for disposal. Process design criteria were established for the proposed tin plant.
Metallurgical Testwork
Metallurgical testwork was conducted on samples from the project. Zinc recovery testwork was performed, including solid/liquid separation testwork for zinc tailings. Lead-silver recovery testwork included Phase 5B testwork and Phase 8 Silver Zone testwork. Tin recovery testwork included Phase 7 mineralogy testwork (conducted by ALS), Phase 6 tin mineralogy testwork (conducted by PMC), and Phase 7 tin metallurgical testwork (conducted by ALS). Conclusions were drawn from the tin testwork.
Metallurgical Recovery Projections
Metallurgical recovery projections were developed for the zinc plant and tin plant. Zinc concentrate quality was assessed. Deleterious elements were evaluated.
Mine Backfill
Paste backfill was proposed for mine backfill requirements. Testwork was conducted on paste backfill material, including particle size distribution analysis, rheology testing, and paste uniaxial compressive strength testing. A proposed paste mix was developed. The backfill system design and operation were described.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Zinc recovery | Projections developed | Metallurgical testwork |
| Tin recovery | Projections developed | Metallurgical testwork |
| Zinc concentrate quality | Assessed | Testwork |
| Paste backfill UCS | Tested | Testwork |
| Process design criteria | Established | Proposed design |
| Solid/liquid separation testwork | Conducted | Testwork |
Project website: https://tinkaresources.com/
Technical qualifications
This report was prepared as a National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report. The quality of information, conclusions, and estimates contained herein is consistent with the level of effort involved in SRK's services, based on i) information available at the time of preparation, ii) data supplied by outside sources, and iii) the assumptions, conditions, and qualifications set forth in this report. This report is intended for use by Tinka subject to terms and conditions of its contract with SRK.
The report is a Preliminary Economic Assessment, and mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report on a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Ayawilca Polymetallic Project, Peru, effective date 28 February 2024, report date April 2024, Section 13 (Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing), Section 17 (Recovery Methods), and Section 16.9 (Mine Backfill).
