Jul 30 2013
Montero Mining and Exploration Ltd. ("Montero") provides an update on test work performed on the bastnaesite-rich carbonatite material from the Wigu Hill Rare Earth Project in Tanzania. A metallurgical study was completed by SGS-Lakefield in Canada examining flotation processes to upgrade Rare Earth Element ("REE") minerals from the Wigu Hill bastnaesite-rich carbonatite material.
The purpose of the study was to identify a processing route that could recover the rare earth bearing minerals while rejecting major gangue minerals which include; strontianite, dolomite, quartz, and barite. In laboratory scale test work, flotation tests were completed to evaluate various collector types and dosages. The best results from rougher stage tests were achieved from a head grade of 6.42% Ce2O3 using a hydroxamate-type collector. Here, the cumulative rougher concentrate graded 12.8% Ce2O3, with 79.1% recovery and 48.1% mass pull which represents x2 upgrade. A collector was also selective against barite, quartz, Fe-oxides, and dolomite. The results achieved in the scoping study demonstrate the potential to recover REE minerals into a pre-concentrate and reject the major gangue minerals, which are acid consumers for the downstream hydrometallurgical process.
Dr. Tony Harwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Montero commented, "Advancing the mineral processing flowsheet with the flotation testwork completed by SGS-Lakefield, keeps us on a production focused target for our flagship Wigu Hill project. These positive results represent a significant step in advancing the beneficiation process and improving Montero's economic flowsheet for the extraction of REEs from the bastnaesite-rich carbonatite mineralization. By reducing downstream reagent consumption costs we are on track to becoming a low cost producer of Rare Earths."
The report from SGS-Lakefield, an internationally recognized metallurgical research and test work facility in Ontario Canada, will form the basis for further laboratory and pilot scale test work in which flotation, as a mineral processing option, will be further explored and optimized.
Qualified Person's Statement
The technical information contained in this press release has been reviewed by Mr. Mike Evans, M.Sc. Pr.Sci.Nat., who is a qualified person for the purpose of National Instrument 43-101 and a consulting geologist to Montero.
Source: http://www.monteromining.com/