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Centaurus Metals Ltd (ASX:CTM) has yielded a 34% nickel concentrate through process flowsheet refinement at its flagship Jaguar nickel project in Brazil – and is anticipating that it could produce the highest-grade nickel concentrate globally.
The flowsheet refinement work is being done as part of the company’s wider Jaguar Value Engineering Process (JVEP), which aims to optimise the project – defining it specifically as one dedicated to producing concentrate, and building on the feasibility study published in July 2024.
Achieving a concentrate comprising high-grade nickel and low impurities is key to the JVEP since it would mean a reduction in the volume of concentrate to be shipped from the project, therefore reducing freight costs and boosting project economics.
The concentrate result was taken from a recent pilot plant trial at Jaguar – based on the new concentrate design – which delivered more than 30 kilograms of exceptionally high-grade concentrate, grading 34%.
The latter grade was possible due to Jaguar’s ore being millerite rich, one of the top forms of nickel sulphides.
This goes well beyond what is currently on the market, with traditional nickel concentrate normally grading between 12% and 14%. The one produced by Jaguar appears closer to the more lucrative Mixed Sulphide Precipitate (MSP).
However, Centaurus believes the 34% recoveries could push up to 70% once mine planning and geometallurgical test work are complete as part of JVEP. Samples of the current concentrate are being prepared to assist with off-take and strategic partnering discussions.
Centaurus has been trading at 36 cents.
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