- Rafaella Resources (RFR) has revealed positive metallurgical testwork results from the Spanish Santa Comba project, which will produce calcium tungstate
- Testwork showed a 6.2 per cent improvement in metallurgical recoveries from upgraded ore to 76.2 per cent compared to those used in the pre-feasibility study (PFS)
- This led to an increase in overall recoveries from the run-of-mine to concentrate from 66 per cent in the PFS to 71.6 per cent
- The testwork was a key factor in completing a definitive feasibility study and the company is in discussions with potential offtake partners
- Rafaella has ended the day 5.06 per cent lower at 7.5 cents per share
Rafaella Resources (RFR) has received results from phase three and four metallurgical testwork on ore from the Santa Comba open pit.
This testwork was conducted by UK-based Grinding Solutions and allowed a process flowsheet to be developed for treating the disseminated wolframite ore from the Santa Comba open pit project in Spain.
A stand-out result is the improvement in metallurgical recovery to a 15 per cent concentrate (post ore sorting) from 70 per cent in Santa Comba’s pre-feasibility study (PFS) to 76.2 per cent.
This led to an increase in overall recoveries from the run-of-mine to concentrate from 66 per cent in the PFS to 71.6 per cent.
Importantly, the metallurgical testwork also determined the Santa Comba sales product. The project will produce calcium tungstate, or synthetic scheelite, which is a premium product that generally achieves a payability of two per cent higher than the equivalent tungsten concentrate.
“Rafaella is now pleased to confirm that the work to underpin a definitive feasibility study (DFS) has been completed showing significantly improved metallurgical recoveries,” Managing Director Steven Turner said.
“Discussions with potential offtakers have confirmed the desirability of calcium tungstate, and Rafaella is comfortable that it will shortly secure attractive offtake terms,” he added.
With the process flow sheet completed, capital cost estimates are expected to be finalised shortly which are another requirement for the DFS.
Rafaella ended the day 5.06 per cent lower at 7.5 cents per share.