This Preliminary Economic Assessment reports metallurgical testwork, processing design, and recovery methods for a proposed open pit and underground mining operation at the River Valley palladium project in Ontario.
Report context
The Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the River Valley Palladium Project, dated effective June 29, 2023, and signing date August 11, 2023, was prepared for New Age Metals Inc. The project is located in Dana, Janes, McWilliams, and Pardo Townships, Sudbury Mining Division, Ontario, at UTM NAD 83 Zone 17N 557,800 m E, 5,169,700 m N, longitude 80º15’ W and latitude 46º41’ N. The report documents a proposed processing plant design based on metallurgical testwork conducted through 2022, including flotation testing, grindability testing, solid-liquid separation testing, and environmental testwork.
Processing route
Summary of recovery methods
The proposed recovery methods described in Section 17.0 of the report include a process plant design incorporating primary crushing, a crushed feed stockpile and reclaim system, a grinding circuit, flotation circuit, reagent handling and storage, assay and metallurgical laboratory, water supply, and air supply. The report does not provide a complete flowsheet but details key process design criteria and operating schedule.
Metallurgical testwork program
Section 13.0 of the report describes extensive metallurgical testwork performed on samples from the River Valley project. Sample receipt and preparation, sample characterization, and mineralogical analysis were completed. Grindability testwork included SMC testwork, Bond ball mill work index testing, and abrasion work index testing.
Flotation testwork was conducted on a Dana Master Composite and a Lismer Master Composite. Variability testwork was performed for Dana North, Dana South, and Lismer zones. Detailed concentrate analysis was completed as part of the variability testing program.
Solid-liquid separation testwork and environmental testwork were also conducted. The environmental testwork included air drying testwork, Atterberg limit testwork, and settling density testwork.
Historical metallurgical studies
The report references several historical metallurgical studies that informed the current testwork program. A 1999 metallurgical feasibility study, a 2001 mineralogical and metallurgical investigation of 13 drill holes, a 2004 SGS study on production of rougher concentrate including grinding tests and batch rougher flotation of 10 kg samples, and a 2006 Anglo-American Metallurgical Services flotation testwork program. These historical studies are not part of the current design basis but provide context for the metallurgical understanding of the deposit.
SGS Testing 2022
Section 13.3 of the report references SGS testing performed in 2022, which produced resultant indicative recoveries and grades. The specific numerical results from this testing are not provided in the excerpted report text.
Recommended testing and improved recovery options
Section 13.5 provides recommendations for additional work, and Section 13.6 discusses improved metal recovery options that were identified during the testwork program.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Value / Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Bond ball mill work index | Not specified | Determined from testwork |
| Abrasion work index | Not specified | Determined from testwork |
| SMC test results | Not specified | Determined from testwork |
| Flotation testwork composites | – | Dana Master Composite, Lismer Master Composite |
| Variability testwork zones | – | Dana North, Dana South, Lismer |
| Solid-liquid separation testwork | – | Completed |
| Air drying testwork | – | Completed |
| Atterberg limit testwork | – | Completed |
| Settling density testwork | – | Completed |
| SGS 2022 indicative recoveries and grades | Not specified | Reported in Section 13.3 |
| Process plant availability | Not specified | Design basis established |
| Operating schedule | Not specified | Design basis established |
Project website: https://newagemetals.com/river-valley-palladium-project/
Technical qualifications
The report specifically notes that it is a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) as defined under NI 43-101. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the PEA results will be realized.
The report does not include mineral reserve estimates, as stated in Section 15.0 which is titled "Mineral Reserve Estimates" but contains no substantive content in the excerpt provided.
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*Source: "Preliminary Economic Assessment of the River Valley Palladium Project, Dana, Janes, McWilliams, and Pardo Townships, Sudbury Mining Division, Ontario," prepared for New Age Metals Inc., P&E Mining Consultants Inc. Report 444, effective date June 29, 2023, signing date August 11, 2023.*
