Canyon Resources completes a range of testing on Minim Martap bauxite for pre-feasibility study

According to a recent report, Canyon Resources has completed a range of testing, supporting the bauxite technical specification datasheet, the basis for ongoing offtake and strategic partnership negotiations for Minim Martap Project in Cameroon.

The testing included a broad range of chemical, metallurgical, and physical test-work to inform pre-feasibility study of the project and ensuing ore reserve estimate.

A random duplicate field selected from the resource estimate sample program from the Beatrice plateau, one of the three priority plateaux, was used in the testing for the basic metallurgical program.

The previous test work and basic metallurgy program show total alumina at an average 90 to 95 per cent and silica at an average 60 to 80 per cent.

Following are the results that support the mineral resource estimate:

Physical properties

Sampling for the infield testing program was completed in May 2020 and added further data to rock strength, moisture content, and density. Strength testing was conducted with a hydraulic point load tester (model 6510) on the samples, with more than 90% of samples showing a point load uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) of less than 24 megapascals (Mpa) and all 531 samples had a UCS less than 44 Mpa.

Technical specification datasheet

Canyon's bauxite technical specification datasheet provides a basis for commercial and technical progression of bauxite offtake agreements and is the basis for the direct shipping ore (DSO) bauxite properties of chemical, digestion and physical/handleability of the product.

Robust PFS potential

The recently completed PFS demonstrates the potential for a robust, first stage, 5 million tonnes per annum DSO bauxite project with an NPV10 of US$291 million and an IRR of 37% on a capex of US$120 million and an average opex of US$35.1/tonne.