A Copper Open Pit Mine on Storm Draws Closer
With partner American West Metals, Aston Bay Holdings (TSX.V: BAY, FSE: 6AY, WKN: A2AUFP) has investigated the important question of whether the ores mined at the Storm copper project on Somerset Island in the Canadian province of Nunavut are suitable for direct shipping without prior extensive processing. The metallurgical studies conducted in recent months have answered this question positively, thus removing a potential obstacle on the path to a quick and easily implementable production start.
The conducted studies on ore sorting and processing underscore the simple development potential. The envisaged two-circuit system with ore sorting and inline pressure jig is capable of producing a series of DSP concentrates with excellent copper recoveries and also has a small footprint. The ore sorting uses sensors that separate richly mineralized material from less rich ores.
The processing tests conducted with ore from various deposits have consistently delivered good to very good results: The ore from the Cyclone deposit with 1.2% to 1.5% copper can be processed into a concentrate with 16-22% copper. The ore from the Chinook deposit with 1.2% to 1.5% copper can also be processed into a 16-22% copper concentrate.
The process for producing directly shippable products can be easily optimized to achieve higher processing rates and selective concentrate grades. Further tests, crushing, and optimization studies are underway. These should enable Aston Bay Holdings and partner American West to approach the mining of the deposits with a very small ecological footprint.
An Initial Mineral Resource Estimate is the Next Major Goal
The drilling currently being conducted on Storm serves both to extend the identified mineralization and as a basis for an initial mineral resource estimate yet to be prepared. It is to be prepared according to CIM standards and presented in the fourth quarter of 2024.
Thomas Ullrich, Chief Executive Officer of Aston Bay Holdings, was delighted with the results of the test series conducted: “The metallurgical studies have shown that Storm can produce a potentially commercial DSP grade from typical Storm copper mineralization through a simple process. The proposed ore sorting and jig process eliminates the need for a conventional flotation plant and associated tailings facility.”
This could result in an operation on Storm that requires only a small footprint and has minimal surface impact. The Storm project thus takes an important step towards a convincing development that, in addition to low costs, is particularly notable for its excellent ESG qualities.
A Copper Open Pit Mine on Storm Draws Closer
The potential of the Storm deposits for a possible copper open pit mine is significant, as the dominant mineral in the deposits is chalcocite. The copper mineralization is contained in coarse veins and breccias, and there is a direct correlation between the thickness of the mineralized veins, their volume, and the total copper content.
Chalcocite is a dark gray copper sulfide mineral with a copper content of 79.8% and a specific gravity of 5.5-5.8. The dolomite host rock of the mineralization is light gray to brown and has a specific gravity of 2.8-2.85. The large difference in physical properties between the copper mineralization and the host rock suggests that upgrading through simple processing methods is possible.
Therefore, ore sorting was identified as a technique that could have the potential to upgrade the mineralization to make it suitable as a Direct Shipping Product (DSP). Ore sorting represents a pre-concentration technology that uses advanced sensors and algorithms to separate economically usable mineralized material from waste rock in real-time. The technique is widely used in the mining and mineral processing industry for a range of commodities, including base metals, lithium, iron ore, and nickel.
The major advantage of this solution is that it eliminates the need to build a conventional flotation plant and associated tailings facility on the project. This not only reduces costs but also significantly eases the permitting process. Invested shareholders can therefore look forward with great anticipation to further tests and, of course, to the initial mineral resource promised for the fourth quarter.
