Test Pit & Demonstration Plant
In 2019, WIM excavated a test pit as part of its Definitive Feasibility Study. Over 11,000 tonnes of ore were removed and processed through a pilot scale demonstration Wet Concentration Plant, at the mine site.
The test pit trials confirmed:
- Avonbank ore body characteristics
- High grade, high zircon and shallow ore body is well understood
- Geotechnical trials successful
WIM partnered with world-leading mineral sands processing specialists, Mineral Technologies, to design and construct the demonstration plant. Following a safe, rapid construction and commission, the plant ran smoothly for over six months of stable production.
WIM produced over 700 tonnes of premium quality, zircon-rich heavy mineral concentrate and has now completed further downstream engineering studies, as input into the Definitive Feasibility Study.
The demonstration plant trials confirmed:
- The Avonbank ore can be processed using conventional spirals, with high recoveries
- Avonbank HMC is of premium quality, and production over six months was very consistent
- Transport studies successful
- Tailings are well understood and are managed using conventional management measures
The completion of the demonstration plant has now set a robust foundation for WIM to complete a definitive feasibility study and position the project to come online in coming years.
Avonbank Trial Mine – 2019
Ore Face Inspection
Demonstration Plant
Demonstration MSP Trials
WIM completed demonstration-scale Mineral Separation Plant (MSP) trials in a full-scale MSP on several hundred tonnes of Avonbank Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC).
Bulk quantities of premium-grade Zircon were produced, along with exceptionally high-quality rare earths and Ilmenite suitable as feedstock for Chloride-grade slag.
The trials demonstrated product recoveries in a continuous and full-scale operating environment and showed that the Avonbank Heavy Mineral Sands (HMS) is amenable to several MSP flow sheets.
