The feasibility study outlines the proposed processing route for the Eagle's Nest deposit, supported by metallurgical testwork from 2009 through 2012.
Report context
This technical report, with an effective date of September 4, 2012, and signing date of October 19, 2012, presents the results of a feasibility study for the Eagle's Nest Project on the McFauld's Lake Property, located in the James Bay Lowlands of Ontario, Canada. The report was prepared for Noront Resources Ltd. and includes mineral processing and metallurgical testwork, recovery methods, and process design criteria.
Processing route
Crushing
The proposed process plant design includes a crushing circuit as the first stage of ore reduction. Ore from the underground mine would be delivered to the crushing circuit for primary size reduction prior to grinding.
Grinding
Following crushing, the ore would be processed through a grinding circuit. The grinding stage is designed to reduce particle size sufficiently to liberate the valuable minerals for subsequent flotation recovery.
Flotation
The concentrator design employs flotation as the primary mineral separation method. The flotation circuit is designed to produce a nickel-copper-PGM concentrate from the Eagle's Nest massive sulphide and net-textured mineralization. Metallurgical testwork programs completed by SGS Mineral Services (SGS-MS) formed the basis for the flotation recovery estimates. Three testwork phases were conducted:
- 2009/2010 Preliminary Testwork Program: SGS-MS completed an initial metallurgical testwork program to evaluate the flotation response of Eagle's Nest mineralization.
- 2010/2011 Feasibility Study Testwork Program: A more comprehensive testwork program was undertaken to support feasibility-level process design, including sample characterization and flotation testing.
- 2011/2012 Feasibility Study Testwork Program: Additional testwork was completed to further define flotation performance parameters.
Concentrate Dewatering
The proposed flowsheet includes concentrate dewatering. The dewatering circuit would thicken and filter the flotation concentrate to produce a final concentrate product with low moisture content for transport.
Tailings Dewatering
Tailings dewatering is included in the process plant design. The tailings stream from flotation would be dewatered prior to placement, with thickened tailings handled for disposal or backfill.
Solid-Liquid Separation Testing
Testwork programs included thickening tests and filtration tests to establish design criteria for the concentrate and tailings dewatering circuits. These tests were conducted on metallurgical samples to determine settling rates, underflow densities, and filter cake moisture contents.
Concentrate Quality
Concentrate quality was evaluated as part of the metallurgical testwork programs. The test results provided data on the expected grade and impurity levels of the final nickel-copper-PGM concentrate.
Process Plant Building
The concentrator would be housed in a process plant building designed to accommodate the crushing, grinding, flotation, and dewatering equipment. The building would provide weather protection for the processing equipment and operating personnel.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Design/Actual/Testwork Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Flotation recovery estimates | % recovery | Based on SGS-MS feasibility study testwork (2010/2011 and 2011/2012) |
| Concentrate quality | Grade and impurity levels | Based on metallurgical testwork |
| Thickening performance | Settling rate, underflow density | Based on SGS-MS thickening tests |
| Filtration performance | Filter cake moisture | Based on SGS-MS filtration tests |
Project website: https://wyloo.com/wylooeaglesnest/
Technical qualifications
The recovery methods and process design criteria presented in this report are based on feasibility study level testwork and engineering. The metallurgical testwork was conducted by SGS Mineral Services with sample characterization and flotation testing completed in three phases between 2009 and 2012. Solid-liquid separation testing included thickening and filtration tests. No historical operating data from the Eagle's Nest deposit is available, as the project is undeveloped. The report does not include performance data from an operating plant.
Source: Noront Resources Ltd., NI 43-101 Technical Report, Feasibility Study, McFauld's Lake Property, Eagle's Nest Project, James Bay Lowlands, Ontario, Canada. Effective Date: September 4, 2012. Sections 13.1 Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testwork, 17.0 Recovery Methods.
