Comment from SP Angel just rec'd25 Jun 2018 11:42
AfriTin Mining (ATM LN) – 2.9p, Mkt cap £15m - Pre concentration grades from Dense Media Separation tests on tin from pegmatite samples
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* AfriTin report results from Dense Media Separation ‘DMS’ of samples taken from pegmatite targets at the Uis project in Namibia.
* The Uis test results indicate DMS processing can recover around 85% of the contained tin to a high-grade 60% concentrate, higher than the 55% tin concentrate targeted by Kasbah in Morocco.
* Stage one shows Mass recoveries of 4.5-28% on sample densities of 2.7-2.6% tin feedstock. The DMS plant then sacrifices a relatively small fraction of the tin in its concentration of the heavier elements.
* The heavier material then sinks, cassiterite is heavier than the Dense Media Material used but some of the fine tin floats and is lost. Tin recoveries are 71%-91% in Stage 2 of the process.
* Stage 2 produces, a very nice to have, tin grade of 4 -23% which is then concentrated to a 60% concentrate in a conventional tin process plant
* AfriTin are refurbishing an old pilot plant which should keep the capital costs down, while DMS plants are relatively inexpensive to build and run when compared with other types of mineral separation plant.
* Theoretically tin should work well in DMS plants due to its density and mineralogy. While recovery rates are not so good for some other minerals the ability to upgrade tin from the Uis project with such little wastage
Conclusion: These figures look good particularly with relatively small wastage. Upgrading the tin by DMS should enable higher production and lower operating costs from a relatively small plant.
Production is targeted for first tin concentrate during Q4 this year.