First Tin PLC has released an update on the mineral processing testwork for its Taronga Tin Project in Australia, showing significantly improved recoveries. The company's 100% owned Australian subsidiary, Taronga Mines Pty Ltd, conducted the testwork, revealing promising results for the project's mineral processing characteristics.
The results of the crushing testwork for the LG sample demonstrated that conventional crushing recovers 72.5% of tin into 46.5% of mass grading 0.16% Sn in the minus 2.8mm fraction. Additionally, single pass vertical shaft impact (VSI) crushing of the plus 2.8mm fraction from the conventional crushing recovered an additional 11.7% of tin into 11.0% of the initial mass, grading 0.08% Sn, to the minus 2.8mm fraction. By combining the two fractions, a total of 84.2% of the initial tin is recovered to 57.5% of the initial mass with a grade increase from 0.10% Sn to 0.15% Sn, marking an improvement from the previously reported recovery.
The gravity concentration result for the bulk LG sample was reported at 71.5%. By combining the crushing and gravity concentration results, a total recovery of 60.2% was calculated for the LG sample, confirming good recoveries at head grades below the average grade being mined and increasing confidence in overall recoveries for the project.
Following these results, a second HG bulk sample has been collected for testing using the refined testwork flowsheet used for the LG sample. The crushing testwork of this sample has provided excellent results, with a recovery of 91.2% of tin in 44.1% of mass grading 0.30% Sn, significantly better than the previous samples.
First Tin's CEO, Bill Scotting, expressed optimism about the results, stating, "Achieving a 60% overall recovery rate for the LG material closely aligns with the data obtained by Newmont, substantially de-risking the project by demonstrating that recoveries are good for this below average grade material." He also mentioned that if the gravity results from the second high-grade sample are similar to those obtained for the LG sample, the overall recovery for the deposit will be significantly better, positively impacting the project's economics.
First Tin is focused on becoming a tin supplier in conflict-free, low political risk jurisdictions through the rapid development of high value, low capex tin assets in Germany and Australia. The company aims to address the rising demand and shortages of tin, which is expected to experience sustained deficit markets for the foreseeable future.