- Ark Mines (AHK) appoints IHC Mining to conduct beneficiation testwork on mineralised nickel-cobalt laterite samples
- The samples come from a recent drilling program at the Gunnawarra project in Queensland where “strong” mineralisation was confirmed at the Pod prospect
- The testwork will focus on magnetic separation, a process which could potentially improve nickel grades due to the iron content within the laterites
- Ark Mining also plans to complete further drilling to target extensions at the Pod prospect as well as other areas within the Gunnawarra project
- AHK shares are trading down 1.96 per cent to 25 cents each at 3:40 pm AEST
Ark Mines (AHK) has appointed IHC Mining to conduct beneficiation testwork on mineralised samples.
The mineralised nickel-cobalt laterite material samples were taken from a recent drilling program at the 36-square kilometre Gunnawarra project in North Queensland.
This program included 45 holes and confirmed “strong” nickel and cobalt mineralisation at the Pod prospect.
Drill results included 28 metres at 0.73 per cent nickel equivalent from surface including five metres at 1.8 per cent nickel equivalent from five metres and two metres at 0.1 per cent cobalt from four metres.
Most intersections were reportedly shallow and the area remains open in multiple directions.
Ark Mines said the testwork will primarily focus on magnetic separation, however other options will also be reviewed to potentially further improve the extraction process for laterite material at Gunnawarra.
According to the company, laterites have a significant iron content and so there’s potential to upgrade nickel grades through a magnetic separation process. However, the ability to upgrade nickel grades is very dependent on how separate the nickel is from the magnetic iron.
“Given the encouraging assay results that confirm Gunnawarra is enriched with robust nickel and cobalt mineralisation we wish to explore the potential beneficiation of our laterite. Clearly the higher the grade the better the margins for the project,” Executive Director Ben Emery said.
The company’s broader focus is to develop and commercialise a direct shipping ore (DSO) nickel-cobalt product in Queensland.
In addition to the testwork, Ark Mines will conduct further drilling to target extensions at the Pod prospect and will also focus on other key areas across the Gunnawarra project.
AHK shares were trading down 1.96 per cent to 25 cents each at 3:40 pm AEST.