An updated resource model, based on additional assay data, was completed in August 2008 and this contained an estimated resource of 334Mt @ 0.03% U3O8, inclusive of 215Mt @ 1.21% REO, and 201 million tonnes @ 1.11% NaF. The REO component of this model was still affected by a shortage of sample assay data. The next resource upgrade, due in April 2009, will contain a complete suite of sample assays.
Based on the updated resource estimate, produced in August 2008, the metal content of the ore body is : • 2.59 million tonnes of REO • 2.21 million tonnes of NaF • 100,960 tonnes of U3O8.
We can expect more news on this front-
"The quantity and quality of technical data that is availablefrom this period of intensive research, which ran for many years and culminated in alarge scale pilot plant, is quite extraordinary and would be difficult and prohibitivelyexpensive to try and replicate in today’s economic climate. This information is currently being collated, ready for interrogation by Greenland Minerals and Energy’s expert consultants, GRD Minproc."
This should help allay any doubts about the mineralogy-
Mineralogical Studies and Ore-Type Classification As part of the pre-feasibility study, the Company is undertaking a detailed mineralogical and geochemical study of the Kvanefjeld ore body. This will enable ore types to be classified on the basis of mineralogy and geochemistry. The various ore types will then be metallurgically tested at a bench scale level, to ensure that the optimal process route is confirmed and that variations in ore type are fully accounted for. During previous studies, variations in the ore body were not sufficiently understood nor accurately mapped as there was no multi-element geochemical coverage. This was essentially due to a lack of geochemical data as the drill core was only analysed spectrally during that phase of the study carried out by RISO. Greenland Minerals now has a more complete geochemical coverage of the deposit allowing ore types to be clearly identified and mapped in three dimensions.
Metallurgical Testwork
As part of the ongoing metallurgical development program the Company engaged Perth based SGS Lakefield Oretest to carry out a third stage of testwork, following on from the initial T1 and T2 research programs conducted at Amdel, in South Australia. The so called T3 program was completed in January. The key findings from the most recent work are: • The use of water washing of feed ore is successful in removing NaF from flotation feed • Beneficiation by froth flotation is successful for pre-concentration of contained phosphate minerals. Based on a modest mass recovery the recovery of U and RE to a flotation concentrate equates to over 70% and 90% respectively. • Testwork on Low F and High F ore types has shown that the sulphation digestion of flotation concentrate at relatively high temperatures and acid dosage rates resulted in high leach extractions, particular with respect to the rare earths. • Neutralisation of leach solutions show that there is some potential for selective precipitation of rare earths at pH 2-3. Given the positive beneficiation achieved by flotation a further stage of testwork (T4) was initiated in February. The objective of the T4 program is to further evaluate and optimise process parameters for the recovery of U and RE via the two main processing options, namely: • Flotation/Sulphation Roast/Water Leaching (looking to improve selectivity/minimize acid consumption) • Pressure carbonate leaching (CPL) based on the process flow sheet developed by RISO during 1983 Pre-feasibility
GGG Price at posting:
29.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
