- Storm DSO model has a low US$18-$23m capex
- Metallurgical testwork shows Storm can produce feed grades of up to 1.5% copper
- Drilling program ‘rapidly advancing’ to upgrade current 17.5Mt copper resource
Special Report: Metallurgical studies and test work on the Cyclone and Chinook copper deposits at American West Metals’ Storm project has generated up to 1.5% commercial copper feed grades and confirmed its direct shipping ore potential.
American West Metals (ASX: AW1) says the Storm DSO process can be easily optimised to suit increased mining production rates and selective concentrate grades at low-cost and low-footprint.
Ongoing test work has shown further upside potential and includes continuing variability, comminution and optimisation studies on the Cyclone, Chinook, and Thunder deposits at the project.
The explorer used a two-circuit, ore sorting and Inline Pressure Jig stream capable of a range of DSO concentrate grades, with excellent yields of copper using modelling of a 1.5Mtpa throughput that’s able to deliver:
- 2%-1.5% Cu feed grades and 16-22% Cu concentrate for 10-14,000tpa Cu metal at the Cyclone deposit
- A 1.5% Cu feed grade and 16-22% Cu concentrate for 15-16,000tpa Cu metal at the Chinook deposit
- Estimated capital of US$18-23M for DSO plant costs and US$4/t processing costs.
The program has produced commercial grade DSO products from typical copper ores through an uncomplicated and low-cost process.
“This is game changing for the Storm project and world leading in terms of copper processing innovation and performance,” AW1 MD Dave O’Neill says.
“This proof-of-concept processing option for Storm significantly derisks the project from a development, funding and permitting perspective.
“Whilst the drilling rapidly advances the resource and exploration program, our shareholders will be encouraged to see that we are also progressing these other high value initiatives.”
Storm copper mineralisation being processed by a full scale Steinert ore-sorter in Perth. Pic: AW1
Drilling up a Storm
Storm is on Somerset Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and part of the Aston Bay property that includes the Seal zinc project and numerous regional prospects and targets.
Ongoing resource infill and expansion drilling aims to deliver an upgraded mineral resource estimate – which could significantly build on Storm’s current 17.5Mt at 1.2% Cu plus contained silver credits.
Recently, AW1 extended the known strike of the high-grade Thunder copper zone to over 300m.
The explorer intersected a continuous 73.2m thick zone of visual copper sulphide mineralisation from 45.7m downhole, while the second intersected a continuous 121.2m interval from 18.3m.
The Storm discovery is among the few high grade copper finds made in recent years as major deficits threaten to emerge later this decade, with the potential to supercharge prices of the industrial metal at the centre of the world’s ongoing electrification.
This article was developed in collaboration with American West Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.