There is a new post on the GPGI homepage today. The first part is a fax from Russell: (I assume Twilliford). It is intended to resolve some confusion over the leaching process recovery rates stated on an earlier post. He states that the recovery rate is not 70% as stated earlier, but 20 to 25% of values contained in the head ore. I will quote from his fax " With respect to the leaching process, we have proceeded to a point that we are able to recover about 1.5 to 2.0 ounces platinum, 2.5 ounces of rhodium, 0.68 ounces of gold and approximately 0.9 ounces palladium per ton of head ore." He goes on to say that they continue to work on the leaching process, and expect to take the process to 80 % recovery. There is mention of the smelting process using 2 furnaces being able to produce 30 lb per day, but because of the electro-winning process, actual will be lower. He mentions a delay in the Eastern Smelting deal, because the sample was so rich that Eastern wants to repeat the assay. He states that if Eastern says, go, they will ship 170 lbs of sludge the next day. If not, they will reluctantly ship to Handy and Harmon. There is mention of a short term financial squeeze halting the smelting process. ( I do not know if this includes the electrolysis process also). He states that the their intent is to have the leaching process in continual operation in the very near future, however, at a low rate, perhaps 10 tons per day.
There are additional comments from Mr. Fishbaine, in which he states:
"Although only 20-25 per cent recovery in the leaching has been achieved so far, the prospects for gradually increasing this recovery rate are excellent. Nontheless, the ore on hand is so rich that even at 20 percent the profitablilty of the final product is quite impressive. With the leaching at its current rate the ratio of production costs to sales value falls between 1:5 and 1:10. Imagine what this ration goes to when the leaching rate approaches the 80 per cent."
Take a look for yourself
Jack R. Smith |
