This report documents the feasibility study for the Nyngan Scandium Project, effective October 10, 2014.
Report context
The technical report titled "NI 43-101 F1 Technical Report on the Feasibility of the Nyngan Scandium Project" was prepared for EMC Metals Corp., Sparks, Nevada, with an effective date of October 10, 2014 and an issue date of October 24, 2014. The document number is 14013-0000-PS-RPT-001.
Processing route
Proposed flow sheet
The proposed processing flow sheet consists of feed preparation, high pressure acid leaching, counter-current decantation (CCD) circuit, partial neutralization, solvent extraction, scandium oxide recovery, and final neutralization with tailings management.
Feed preparation (Area 1000)
Feed preparation involves handling and conditioning of the mined material prior to leaching.
Feed thickening (Area 1700)
Feed thickening is conducted to achieve the appropriate solids concentration for the subsequent leaching stage.
High pressure acid leaching (Area 2100)
The high pressure acid leaching (HPAL) circuit treats the thickened feed under elevated temperature and pressure conditions to extract scandium into solution.
CCD circuit (Area 3000)
A counter-current decantation circuit separates the leach solution from the solid residue, with multiple washing stages to maximize scandium recovery.
Partial neutralization (Area 4000)
Partial neutralization of the pregnant leach solution is performed to remove impurities and condition the solution for solvent extraction.
Solvent extraction (Area 5000)
Solvent extraction is used to selectively concentrate and purify scandium from the partially neutralized solution.
Scandium oxide recovery (Area 6000)
Scandium oxide precipitation and recovery produces the final product from the solvent extraction strip solution.
Final neutralization and tailings (Area 7000)
Residual process solutions are neutralized before being sent to the tailings storage facility.
Water management
Water management systems are incorporated to recycle process water and manage site water balance.
Reagents and services
Reagents and services required for the process are detailed in the report.
Test work
The report describes test work programs for acid bake, solvent extraction, scandium oxide precipitation, high pressure acid leach, flotation, and ion exchange.
Acid bake test work
Acid bake test work was conducted to evaluate alternative processing options for scandium extraction.
Solvent extraction test work
Solvent extraction test work was performed to determine extraction efficiencies and reagent requirements.
Scandium oxide precipitation test work
Scandium oxide precipitation test work was carried out to define product purity and recovery conditions.
High pressure acid leach test work
High pressure acid leach test work was completed to confirm the proposed HPAL processing route.
Flotation test work
Flotation test work was undertaken to assess potential for pre-concentration of the feed material.
Ion exchange test work
Ion exchange test work was conducted as an alternative purification method.
Future test work
The report identifies additional test work required for process optimization.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Feed preparation area | Area 1000 | Proposed design |
| Feed thickening area | Area 1700 | Proposed design |
| High pressure acid leaching area | Area 2100 | Proposed design |
| CCD circuit area | Area 3000 | Proposed design |
| Partial neutralization area | Area 4000 | Proposed design |
| Solvent extraction area | Area 5000 | Proposed design |
| Scandium oxide recovery area | Area 6000 | Proposed design |
| Final neutralization and tailings area | Area 7000 | Proposed design |
Project website: https://scandiummining.com/projects/nyngan-scandium-project/
Technical qualifications
The report is a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) and contains a cautionary statement regarding the preliminary nature of the assessment. Specific limitations include the need for future test work to optimize the process, as identified in the report.
Source: NI 43-101 F1 Technical Report on the Feasibility of the Nyngan Scandium Project, effective date October 10, 2014, issue date October 24, 2014, Section 13, Section 17.
