FULL DISCLOSURE: Nord Precious Metals is a sponsor of theDeepDive.ca.
Nord Precious Metals (TSXV: NTH) has successfully demonstrated that tailings from the Beaver Mine stamp mill tailings can produce a commercial high grade silver concentrate.
Testwork using Falcon concentration technology has managed to create a concentrate with a grade of 2,114.9 g/t silver, which represents a concentration factor of 1,173% on the tailings.
The concentrate was established following two methods of concentration being tested. Material with grades of 180.3 g/t silver and 205.8 g/t silver was used for the testing, with spiral technology establishing a concentrate with grades of 1,268.6 g/t silver, while Falcon technology resulted in the high grade 2,114.9 g/t silver concentrate. The results are said to be preliminary in nature, with processing using conventional gravity tables expected to further improve concentrations.
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The testwork program follows a sonic drill program conducted in 2020 that outlined grades of up to 314 g/t silver in the Beaver Mine Stamp mill tailings. Average grades of the material have been determined to be 79.0 g/t silver, alongside 165.8 ppm cobalt, 341.9 ppm copper and 114.1 ppm nickel. The coarse size of the tailings makes them amenable to gravity concentration, which is cheaper than flotation or leaching recovery methods.
“These results validate both our technical approach and our district strategy. Material already mined sits at surface. The metallurgy is proven. The regulatory pathway is clear. The Ministry’s guidance on toll processing confirms what we’ve designed: a hub-and-spoke model that works at the regulatory level,” commented Nord CEO Frank Basa in reference to the larger strategy at play.
Separately, the Ministry of Energy and Mines for Ontario has confirmed to Nord that toll processing arrangements can be included within a Recovery Permit application. Nord’s Temiskaming Testing Labs facility is being viewed as a potential processing hub for the Cobalt-Gowanda camp’s legacy tailings under that scenario, with the commissioning of an already purchased 600 tonne per day gravity plant scheduled to occur upon the receipt of required permits.
A consultant has been engaged to advise on permitting steps under the Recovery Permit framework as part of environmental remediation at the Beaver Mine site. Initial processing is currently targeted to begin in 2026.
Nord Precious Metals last traded at $0.18 on the TSX Venture.
FULL DISCLOSURE: Nord Precious Metals is a client of Canacom Group, the parent company of The Deep Dive. Canacom Group is currently long the equity of Nord Precious Metals. The author has been compensated to cover Nord Precious Metals on The Deep Dive, with The Deep Dive having full editorial control. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. We may buy or sell securities in the company at any time. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security.