Alien Metals provides Hancock Project update

Highlights

• The company recently completed the excavation of a bulk sample weighing 2378 kg of high-grade iron ore from the Ridge C resource.
• A series of grabs taken from the bulk sample have returned high-grade results with an average grade of 62.2% iron (Fe) across the samples and low levels of impurities.
• The sampling indicates that the high-grade material commences from less than 1 m below surface.
• The samples represent a homogenous bulk sample across the centre of the Ridge C resource and provides further confirmation of grade and quality of the deposit.

Bill Brodie Good, CEO and Technical Director of Alien Metals, commented: “We have continued to fast track this excellent project and, in conjunction with the recent third phase of drilling programme, we took the opportunity to excavate a significant bulk sample to advance the mine development side of the workstreams. The high-grade nature of these results demonstrate the quality of the project and continue to give us great confidence in the planning and development process we are progressing. The team has delivered again in difficult conditions and we have now made a significant next step in the development of the project. I look forward to updating the market on more news as we get it.”

As part of the mine development work being done by the company and in parallel with the 3rd phase of drilling, a bulk sample was taken in the central portion of ridge C using an excavator. A sample pit, some 7 m long, 1.5 m wide and maximum depth of 2.5 m was dug on the side of the drill platform for diamond hole AM21DD004. Having the sample from this location will also tie in with the results from the diamond hole, as well as the previous RC drilling to correlate all the data. After sampling the pit was refilled and rehabilitated according to the environmental practices.

Nine 'piles' were made from each subsequent level as the trench was dug to confirm the correct material was chosen for the bulk sample. Apart from the initial pile, which still returned 59.6% Fe but was deemed lower grade on site due to the contamination of surface soil and material, the remaining eight piles were combined to produce the bulk sample giving a good representative sample of the ore.

Such bulk samples are an essential part of development and mining studies as it will enable detailed metallurgical testing of the ore on a sufficient volume basis to assess various aspects that are factored into mining, such as haulage and end user processes to help optimise the design of mine crushing and screening circuit as an example.

As the company is fast tracking this programme, this 2378 kg representative bulk sample has been submitted to ALS Laboratory in Perth, with these initial results from grab samples taken as part of the preparation of the bulk sample being assembled, adding confidence to the quality and grade of the material and the project as a whole.

The ALS Metallurgical test work has the following primary objectives:

• Understand the process flow sheet requirements, including DSO/beneficiation characteristics for improving product grades.
• Potential product yields, Fe recoveries and grades.
• Determine the physical properties of the product.
• Process plant design parameters for ore hardness and abrasion properties. This information is necessary for selecting suitable crusher and plant maintenance.
• Measure orebody variability.
• Generate sufficient representative customer samples from Ridge C.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/04022022/alien-metals-provides-hancock-project-update/