St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) has initiated a comprehensive program of works to advance development studies for its 100%-owned Araxá Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The first scope of works to commence is metallurgical test work on the niobium-REE mineralisation at Araxá, with a substantial drilling campaign also scheduled to begin this month.
The metallurgical test work is focused on optimising niobium and rare earth recoveries via flotation processing. The study is conducted under the technical co-venture between St George and two of Brazil’s leading scientific agencies – EMBRAPII and SENAI.
Three large representative samples of mineralisation (each >60 kg) – with a range of mineralisation from different lithological units across the project area – were selected for bench-scale testing, ensuring a reliable basis for process optimisation across the project. The downstream processing study will make recommendations for the potential commercial production of niobium and REE products, a critical step in finalising the plant design and project construction for a potential mining operation at Araxá.
“We are excited to now have boots on the ground at Araxá following completion of the project acquisition last week,” executive chairman John Prineas said.
“We have a number of important work programs scheduled to commence in the coming weeks including our maiden drill campaign, geophysical surveys, geotechnical studies and downstream processing studies – as well as the release of our maiden JORC mineral resource estimate.
“We are pleased to confirm the commencement of the first phase of metallurgical test work in collaboration with two leading scientific agencies in Brazil – EMBRAPII and SENAI – to develop a flowsheet for the processing and production of commercial niobium and rare earths products from the Araxá project. In the first phase of the test work, we will assess the potential use of new technologies in traditional flotation circuits to maximise recoveries, reduce waste and lower costs.
“Our highly credentialled in-country mining team – with many years of niobium mining and production at Araxá – allows us to fast track these development studies. Working together with the leading scientists at SENAI and the well-equipped lab at CIT-SENAI in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State will also assist to expedite these studies and deliver outcomes that will guide the Project’s path to potential commercial production.”
