Arrow Minerals records positive metallurgical results at Niagara bauxite project

Arrow Minerals (ASX: AMD) has reached a key milestone with a series of strong metallurgical results from its Niagara bauxite project in Guinea.

The company is building towards the release of a scoping study for Niagara and has reported results from an initial nine composite samples confirming high-value mineralogy and low reactive silica content at the project.

The metallurgical testing returned an alumina recovery average of 81% from feed for low-temperature digestion and 91% from feed for high-temperature digestion across all composite samples tested.

Variety of refineries

Notably, the studies indicated that the Niagara bauxite is capable of being processed in a wide range of alumina refineries.

“These strong results will drive the assumptions in our ongoing scoping study and show the potential to generate a high-quality bauxite product,” managing director David Flanagan said.

“The results reveal high recoveries and a product that will meet or exceed key market requirements and is highly saleable.”

“This is expected to sustain continued strong interest from prospective customers and yield positive outcomes in the scoping study.”

Low-temperature refining

The studies also suggested the Guinea bauxite is predominantly composed of a gibbsite-dominant mineral assemblage normally suited to low-temperature refining.

Available alumina results from the testing ranged from 36% to 47% aluminium oxide in high-grade material and 34% to 41% aluminium oxide in typical resource-grade material.

The company is preparing to undertake additional characterisation work to cover the grade range of 42% to 48% aluminium oxide, to provide additional information to support pricing for the higher-grade bauxite being targeted as part of the development strategy.

Low-CapEx operation

Mr Flanagan said the project’s scoping study is targeting a low-CapEx starter operation leveraging the high-grade subset of the Niagara mineral resource.

Analysts are forecasting steady growth in the global bauxite market, driven by rising aluminium demand, infrastructure projects and increasing electric vehicle adoption.

IMARC Group expects the market to reach approximately $35 billion by 2033.