Star-Orion South Diamond project update

This bulk sample plant will be used to process the kimberlite recovered by the next phase of large diameter, bulk sample drilling on the Star-Orion South Diamond project. The bulk sample plant will be fabricated by Consulmet in South Africa in modular, containerised units, which will facilitate shipment to the project site in central Saskatchewan. Consulmet is a specialised technology company serving the minerals industry through the design and supply of production ready mineral processing plants.

Bulk sample plant

The proposed bulk sample plant will use a modern flowsheet and the latest X-ray transmission (XRT) sorting technology to ensure any large diamonds present (up to 25 mms) are recovered with minimal breakage. A secondary crushing circuit, using a high pressure rolls crusher (HPRC), will maximise the liberation of smaller diamonds from the kimberlite. The bulk sample plant consists of four areas, each with its own control system: a wet front-end and feed preparation area; an XRT sorter area; a 10 tph dense media separator (DMS) area; and a water reticulation area.

Washed run of mine (ROM) kimberlite (-80 mm), collected in bulk bags, from Bauer Maschinen GmbH (Bauer) BE550 desanding equipment at the drill site, will be supplied to the front-end of the plant. Initial scrubbing and screening sends coarse -80+25 mm kimberlite to the jaw crusher, and removes all -0.85 mm fines using a slotted screen. Thereafter, -25+12 and -12+6 mm kimberlite fractions are processed through the XRT sorter in two simultaneous feeds. The XRT sorter accepts are stored in a secure bin for subsequent diamond recovery. The -25+6 mm XRT sorter rejects are sent to a secondary HPRC and the crushed product is returned to the primary feed. The -6+0.85 mm kimberlite fraction is processed through the DMS cyclone to prepare a diamond-bearing heavy mineral concentrate. Final diamond recovery is to be conducted at a secure offsite facility. Plant process water is recovered from various dewatering screens within the plant and the fines thickener, and returned to a recycled water storage facility. Fresh and recycled water are used in the primary plant feed. The underflow from the thickener (-0.85 mm) is sent as residue to an onsite fines management area (FMA).

Senior Vice President Exploration and Development, George Read, states: "Star Diamond Corporation is in complete support of the design and equipment selection for the bulk sample plant. The modern flowsheet and state-of-the-art XRT sorting technology used in this plant will replicate the flowsheet and equipment of the processing plant that would be used on a potential future diamond mine. This bulk sample plant is specifically designed to maximise liberation and recovery of diamonds throughout the -25+0.85 mm size range, and minimise diamond breakage, particularly among potential specials (plus 10.8 carat stones) that may be recovered from both the Star and Orion South Kimberlites."

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/17052018/star-orion-south-diamond-project-update/