This technical report update summarizes metallurgical testing and proposed processing methods for the Pine Point Mine Development Project in the Northwest Territories, Canada.
Report context
This technical report update was prepared for Darnley Bay Resources Limited on December 12, 2016, as an NI 43-101 Summary Technical Report Update of the Pine Point Mine Development Project located in the Northwest Territories, Canada. The report includes sections on mineral processing and metallurgical testing, mining methods, and recovery methods for the proposed project.
Processing route
Crushing and dense media separation
The proposed processing route begins with crushing and dense media separation (DMS) at the main mine site. The DMS circuit is designed to upgrade the run-of-mine material prior to further processing.
Grinding and recovery circuit
Following DMS, the material enters the grinding and recovery circuit at the main mine site. This circuit processes the DMS concentrate to achieve the desired particle size reduction and liberation for subsequent metal recovery.
Process plant
The process plant design includes the crushing and DMS section, the grinding and recovery circuit, and supporting infrastructure. A process water balance has been developed for the plant operations. Processing plant manpower requirements have been estimated for the proposed facility.
Metal recovery
The report documents metal recovery expectations based on the proposed processing flowsheet and metallurgical testwork results. Recovery values are reported in the context of the designed process plant configuration.
Metallurgical testwork
Summary of PAH review
The report includes a review of prior metallurgical work conducted by Pine Point Mines Limited, referred to as the PAH review. This historical operating data from the previous Pine Point operations provides a basis for comparison with the proposed design.
Metallurgical testwork results
Metallurgical testwork was conducted on representative samples from the Pine Point deposits. The testwork evaluated the amenability of the mineralization to the proposed processing methods, including DMS and grinding/flotation recovery. Testwork conclusions supported the selected processing approach for the project design.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Crushing and DMS circuit | , | Proposed design |
| Grinding and recovery circuit | , | Proposed design |
| Process water balance | , | Proposed design |
| Metal recovery | % | Based on testwork and historical data |
| Processing plant manpower | Persons | Proposed design estimate |
| PAH review data | Various | Historical operating data from Pine Point Mines Limited |
Project website: https://www.petroleumnews.com/story/2017/05/14/news/mining-news-drill-taps-germanium-gallium-at-pine-point/33637.html
Technical qualifications
The metallurgical testwork and processing design presented in this report are based on limited testwork programs and review of historical operating data from the prior Pine Point Mines Limited operations. No full-scale pilot plant or demonstration-scale testing has been completed for the proposed processing flowsheet. The report does not include detailed process design criteria, equipment specifications, or capital/operating cost estimates for the processing plant. All processing parameters are derived from conceptual design and preliminary testwork results, not from operational experience at the proposed project site.
Source: NI 43-101 Summary Technical Report Update of the Pine Point Mine Development Project, Northwest Territories, Canada, December 12, 2016. Sections 13, 16, and 17.
Consolidated report summaries
The following former standalone pages about this operation were consolidated here on October 25, 2026. They are retained for source traceability; dates and figures reflect each report’s own effective date and may be superseded by the current information above.
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — 2022 Technical Report
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — 2022 Technical Report
| Company | Pine Point Mining Limited |
| Date | August 2022 |
| Region | Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Commodities | Lead, Zinc |
| Mine Type | Open Pit |
| Throughput | 11,250 tpd |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
This NI 43-101 Technical Report outlines the Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project, conducted by Pine Point Mining Limited in August 2022. The report details the proposed process plant design capable of processing 11,250 tonnes per day of lead and zinc mineralized material. The flowsheet and design capacity remain consistent with the July 2020 Preliminary Economic Assessment, based on metallurgical testwork and historical operating data.
The recovery methods involve a three-stage crushing circuit integrated with mineral sorting, followed by grinding, differential flotation for lead and zinc, and concentrate dewatering. The plant utilizes X-ray sensing technology for mineral sorting to separate denser mineralized particles before grinding in a ball mill. Flotation circuits are designed for lead and zinc recovery using tank-type cells, with tailings disposed of in mined-out open-pits.
Operational parameters include a design lead grade of 3.7% and zinc grade of 6.9%, with overall recoveries of 93% for lead and 87% for zinc. The process plant includes dedicated dewatering systems using thickeners and filter presses for concentrates, ensuring operational flexibility and efficient water recycling from thickener overflows.
Website: https://pinepointmining.com/
Report Date: August 2022
Region: Northwest Territories, Canada
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Lead, Zinc
Throughput: 11,250 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type: Open Pit
Ore type:
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — 2020 Technical Report
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — 2020 Technical Report
| Company | Pine Point Mining Limited |
| Mine | Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project |
| Date | 2020 |
| Region | Northwest Territories, Canada |
| Commodities | Lead, Zinc |
| Throughput | 11,250 tpd |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a process plant designed to treat 11,250 tonnes per day of lead and zinc mineralized material. The flowsheet is based on metallurgical testwork and historical data, featuring a three-stage crushing circuit integrated with mineral sorting. The plant utilizes open-pit operations for tailings disposal and includes dedicated systems for concentrate dewatering and reagent management.
Key processing stages include primary jaw crushing followed by secondary and tertiary cone crushing, with a mineral sorting circuit employing X-ray sensing technology to separate mineralized particles. The ground material undergoes differential flotation to recover lead and zinc concentrates, utilizing specific reagents such as zinc sulphate and copper sulphate. Final dewatering is achieved through thickeners and vertical filter presses before truck transport.
Energy and water requirements are detailed, with a total yearly power consumption estimated at 79.02 GWh. Freshwater is sourced from Great Slave Lake, while process water is recirculated from thickener overflows. The design ensures high recovery rates, with overall lead recovery at 93.2% and zinc recovery at 85.2%, supporting the economic viability of the project.
Reports
Website: https://pinepointmining.com/
Report Date: 2020
Region: Northwest Territories, Canada
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Lead, Zinc
Throughput: 11,250 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type:
Ore type:
Pine Point Project — 2012 Technical Report
Pine Point Project — 2012 Technical Report
| Company | Tamerlane |
| Date | 2012 |
| Region | Hay River, NWT |
| Commodities | Lead, Zinc |
| Mine Type | Underground |
| Throughput | 3,000 tpd |
| Status | Development |
Executive Summary
The 2012 Technical Report details the recovery methods for the Pine Point Project, specifically focusing on the R-190 deposit site designated as the Main Mine Site (MMS). The mining operation is underground, utilizing declines for access and underground trucks for haulage. Ore is transported to the surface and processed through a crushing-DMS plant before entering the mill. The process design includes crushing run-of-mine rock to -15.8 mm, followed by Dense Media Separation (DMS) to upgrade the ore. The DMS sinks and fines are directed to a ball mill grinding circuit operating in closed circuit with cyclones.
Following grinding, the material undergoes a pre-float circuit to remove bituminous-activated slimes before entering separate lead and zinc flotation circuits. The flotation process utilizes rougher, scavenger, and cleaner banks, with cleaner overflow feeding parallel flotation columns. Concentrates are thickened and pressure filtered before being transported to a rail load-out facility in Hay River for shipment to smelters. The project is in the detailed engineering stage, with equipment procurement underway for flotation cells and grinding mills.
Tailings management involves dewatering and utilizing filtered tailings as paste backfill for underground stopes, combined with cement and DMS reject material. Excess tailings are stored in a sediment settling pond (SSP) or injected into the aquifer to prevent surface discharge. The metallurgical program indicates excellent metal recovery values, with overall zinc recovery at 93.60% and lead recovery at 88.90% based on laboratory testing and metallurgical balancing techniques.
Website: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/tamerlane-ventures-fails-to-pay-bills-1.2417976
Report Date: 2012
Region: Hay River, NWT
Project Status: Development
Commodity: Lead, Zinc
Throughput: 3,000 tpd
Mine Life:
Mine Type: Underground
Ore type: Sulphide
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — Mineral Resource Estimate
Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project — Mineral Resource Estimate
Company: Pine Point Mining Limited
Date: January 2019
Report Type: Mineral Resource Estimate
Executive Summary
This technical report presents a Mineral Resource Estimate for the Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project. The report was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. Section 17 (Recovery Methods) is not required for a Technical Report on Mineral Resources, as recovery methods are typically addressed in Technical Reports on Mineral Reserves. This document focuses on the resource estimation aspects of the Pine Point project.
Report Details
- Project Name: Pine Point Lead-Zinc Project
- Company: Pine Point Mining Limited
- Commodities: Lead, Zinc
- Report Type: Mineral Resource Estimate (not Mineral Reserves)
Processing Information
Not applicable for this Mineral Resource Estimate report. Recovery methods would be addressed in a subsequent Technical Report on Mineral Reserves.
Website: https://osiskometals.com/projects/pine-point-project-northwest-territories/overview/
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