Project Overview
Location: Sudbury, Ontario, Canada
Process Type: Off-site Processing at Vale’s Clarabelle Mill
Annual Production: Not specified
Feed Grade: Variable based on mining zones
Recovery Rate: Variable based on feed grade equations
Final Product: Nickel-Copper-PGE concentrate
Project Stage: Definitive Off-Take Agreement
Detailed Process Description
Processing Agreement
The Crean Hill Project has secured a strategic processing arrangement through a Definitive Off-Take Agreement with Vale Base Metals. This agreement covers the processing of Contact style mineralization from multiple mining zones including Main, Intermediate, 9400, 9400 Footwall, and 101 Footwall zones at Vale’s Clarabelle Mill facility.
Sampling and Grade Control
The operation implements a rigorous sampling protocol where material is accumulated into 2,000-tonne processing lots at the mine site. Each lot undergoes systematic sampling via a dedicated sampling tower before transportation to the Clarabelle Mill. The sampling process includes primary crushing to -1 inch for initial sample cuts, followed by continuous crushing to -2mm for final (vesin) sample extraction. The system maintains redundant samples for Magna, Vale, and umpire requirements.
Recovery Process
Metal recoveries are calculated using established feed grade versus recovery equations, developed through extensive laboratory testing of Contact mineralization samples at the Clarabelle Mill. The process enables recovery of multiple metals including nickel, copper, cobalt, palladium, platinum, gold, and silver. For the 109FW zone, Magna is exploring additional opportunities to enhance base and PGE-Au recovery through alternative processing routes.
Quality Control
The operation maintains strict quality control measures, with each truck load weighed and sampled according to best practice protocols. Metal recoveries are predicted based on feed grade equations, with concentrate production targeting specific grade parameters established in the agreement with Vale.
Technical report and processing history
The following archived source profiles have been consolidated here to preserve the project’s processing history and study context.
Crean Hill Project — 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment Update
Crean Hill Project — 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment Update
| Company | Magna |
| Date | 2024 |
| Region | Sudbury, Canada |
| Commodities | Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Palladium, Platinum, Gold, Silver |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The recovery approach for the Crean Hill Project is defined by a Definitive Off-Take Agreement with Vale Base Metals for Contact style mineralization production. This agreement outlines the processing of mineralization through the Clarabelle Mill and downstream smelters, with metal recoveries calculated based on established feed grade versus recovery equations derived from lab scale testing. The overall metal recovery is a predictable parameter in the economics, determined by sampled and measured feed grades prior to transportation.
Material is accumulated into 2000 t processing lots and sampled via a sampling tower following best practice protocols, including crushing to -1” and -2 mm before sample extraction. Payments for Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, Pt, Au and Ag are realized through a Net Smelter Return (NSR) model that includes milling charges, smelting charges, and payables/deductions as per the Definitive Agreement with Vale.
For the 109FW zone, Magna is pursuing alternative recovery opportunities through a Toll Milling Agreement with Glencore Canada Corporation at the Strathcona Mill. A 20,000 tonne bulk sample has been mined and processed to inform metallurgical models and business case analysis for future mining and processing of this mineralization.
Reports
Website: https://magnamining.com/projects/crean-hill/
Report Date: 2024
Region: Sudbury, Canada
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Palladium, Platinum, Gold, Silver
Throughput:
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Crean Hill Property — NI 43-101 Technical Report
Crean Hill Property — NI 43-101 Technical Report
| Date | Unknown |
| Region | Sudbury Basin |
| Commodities | Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, Pt, Au |
| Status | Exploration |
Executive Summary
The recovery approach for the Crean Hill property is based on an ore sale agreement with a local mining company. Detailed metallurgical testing of the 109 FW and general knowledge of contact deposits within the Sudbury Basin indicate that processing will yield positive returns. Initial discussions suggest any extracted material would be processed together with the local company’s other feeds.
Before finalizing the ore sale agreement, mineralogical and metallurgical testing will be performed on samples representing the FW and contact material. These tests confirm the relationship between feed grade and metal recovery to concentrate at the mining company’s target grade. Once confirmed, the agreement will be finalized based on standard ore sale terms.
Material mined will be accumulated into processing lots and sampled via a sampling tower prior to transportation to the local mining company’s Mill. The concentrate produced will be subject to separate smelter processing terms to determine the net smelter return (NSR). Payments for Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, Pt, and Au will be realized based on smelter recovery per metal, less minimum deductions and treatment charges.
Website: https://magnamining.com/projects/crean-hill/
Report Date: Unknown
Region: Sudbury Basin
Project Status: Exploration
Commodity: Ni, Cu, Co, Pd, Pt, Au
Throughput:
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
