Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : PolyMet Mining Corp POM.V (was Fleck Resources) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Elizabeth Andrews who wrote (525)	9/14/1998 1:23:00 PM
From: Shaun M. Dykes	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 708

Unfortunately since I am a professional engineer, I can only give you the numbers that I know are in the public domain. Head grades were average run of mine material. Average grade of material in mineral reserve is 0.432% copper, 0.437 g/mt palladium, 0.116 g/mt platinum, 0.109% nickel, 0.061 g/mt gold, 1.5 g/mt silver and 0.006% cobalt. Lakefield recovered the following percentages to the bulk concentrate; 93 percent for copper, 70 percent for nickel, and 80 percent for precious metals from representative samples. Nickel is low due to silicate nickel, approximately +90% of the sulphide nickel is recovered. As for the bacterial leaching process it is very simple, the concentrate is placed in tanks and the the bacteria are added with an acidic solution (bacteria works best in acidic environment). The metals separate into solution and can be recovered by standard solvent extraction and electrowinning techniques. The hydrometallurgical processes being investigated are also standard. Polymet has announced that two processes have proved successful. They haven't announced which processes. All processes being studied are aimed at producing the most efficient and economical method of recoverying the metals. At the end of the day Polymet should have several techniques from which to choose. The final process will be selected during the feasibility study stage.