Metallurgical testing that was carried out for Starfield Resources Inc. from 2001 to 2011 by Kingston Process Metallurgy, SGS Lakefield, and NeoFerric generated a predominantly hydrometallurgical flowsheet on which to assess the economic viability of the project at the scoping level. Recent tests were carried out by SGS for Canadian North Resources to include the recovery of PGMs.
- Previous metallurgical tests were completed on the recovery of base metals (copper, nickel and cobalt) from massive sulfide ores only.
- PGM recoveries were not included in the Preliminary Economic Assessment prepared by Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. for Starfield Resources Inc. (filed on Sedar on 2011).
- Recent tests by CNRI show high recovery of PGMs Comprehensive studies support potential processes with economic recoveries, stable tailings, and energy efficient recoveries for remote operations.
- Further testing is planned for the recovery of both PGM and base metals from various types of ores in the mineralized zones.
Historical | Recent: Canadian North Resources | ||
Hydrometallurgical Processes (1) | Hydrometallurgical Processes (2) | Flotation into Two Concentrates plus Platsol | |
Nickel | 94% | 94% | 87% |
Copper | 97% | 99% | 99% |
Cobalt | 89% | 91% | 90% |
Platinum | NA | 50% | 90-95% |
Palladium | NA | 77% | 90-95% |
Note: All tests completed by SGS. Historical (1): Hydrometallurgical process for nickel, copper, and cobalt. Recent (2): Hydrometallurgical methods plus final PGM-Base Metal element extraction from residue using Platsol process.