Canada Nickel (TSXV: CNC) is reporting improved nickel recoveries in the latest metallurgical studies it has performed using material from its flagship Crawford project in the Timmins region of Ontario.
The company is said to have created a concentrate consisting of 60% nickel sulphides under a locked cycle test. The concentrate is believed to be among the highest grade of nickel sulphide concentrate produced globally, with the concentrate said to have resulted in total nickel recovery of 47%. The results follow ten open circuit tests taking place with ore from the Crawford East Zone starter pit.
To date, eight of the ten open circuit tests conducted this year have seen improved nickel recovery rates when compared to what the company modeled within its feasibility study. On average, recoveries were 28% higher than previously modeled, resulting in an improvement of 10%.
“The pilot plant at SGS Lakefield is more than four times the size of our prior plant that was used in 2022, and is focused on using East Zone material to generate substantial quantities of nickel and NiCr magnetite concentrate to be utilized by our NetZero Metals downstream business,” commented Canada Nickel CEO Mark Selby.
The current pilot plant is expected to process 130 tonnes of mineral, with the concentrate produced to be used as samples for NetZero Metals, and to provide additional engineering support. The pilot plant is expected to conclude its work in September.
Canada Nickel last traded at $1.06 on the TSX Venture.
