Metallurgy and Process Flow Sheet Update – Kanyika Niobium Project
Globe Metals & Mining (“Globe” or “the Company”; ASX: GBE) is pleased to update the market on activities currently being undertaken in relation to its metallurgical programs and the development of the process flow sheet for the Kanyika Niobium Project.
Pilot Program
As part of the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) that Globe is currently conducting on the Kanyika Niobium Project, a series of optimisation programs have been commenced in South Africa, Australia and potentially China.
A 20 tonne sample has been collected from the Kanyika deposit and shipped to a purpose-built test facility in Johannesburg for a pilot-scale "proof-of-concept" program for final development of the Kanyika ore processing flow sheet.
This work will lead into the commencement of the pilot program which is scheduled for completion in Q4 2011, and will provide the definitive engineering design criteria for the DFS.
Additional Process Flow Sheet Work
An additional program is being conducted by AMMTEC's Burnie labs in Tasmania, Australia, to evaluate potential improvements in recovery and economics using a gravity-based flow sheet. This work is also being used to prepare a program of work to be conducted by the Guangzhou Research Institute (GRZINN) to evaluate innovative niobium flotation strategies to improve recovery.
John McIntyre & Associates of Perth, who developed the original Kanyika flow sheet, will also conduct an optimisation program using Perth metallurgical laboratories to revisit earlier flotation and gravity test programs to optimise the earlier work and re-validate the process design criteria.
Based on the above programs, Globe is confident that an enhanced metallurgical flow sheet can be achieved with improved recovery and reduced costs, thus increasing the already favourable economics of the Project.
About Globe Metals & Mining
Globe is an African-focused resource company, specialising in rare metals such as niobium, tantalum and rare earths, as well as other commodities including fluorite, uranium and zircon. Its main focus is the multi-commodity Kanyika Niobium Project in Malawi, Africa, which will commence production of ferro-niobium in 2014, a key additive in sophisticated steels.
Globe also has a number of other projects at an earlier stage of development: it is earning up to an 80% interest in the Machinga Rare Earth Project in southern Malawi, and the Company can earn up to a 90% interest in the Mount Muambe Fluorite-heavy rare earth Project in Mozambique. Initial drill programs on both projects were undertaken in 2010.
Globe has regional offices in Lilongwe, Malawi, and Tete, Mozambique and has its corporate head office in Perth, Australia. The Company has been listed on the ASX since December 2005 (Code: GBE).
