Hawsons Iron confirms dry processing potential at flagship New South Wales project

New studies have confirmed the opportunity for Hawsons Iron (ASX: HIO) to utilise the cost-friendly dry comminution process at its namesake project located in the Braemar region of New South Wales.

Hawsons has now completed its test work program and a mineral resource variability study after engaging engineering firm Stantec Australia to prepare a project report.

Stantec’s findings backed the use of a 100% dry processing circuit at the project, confirming it could provide significant enhancements while also incorporating safety, environmental, operational and maintenance aspects.

Material consistency

Chief executive officer Tom Revy said newly completed analytical work had identified a high level of geochemical and physical material consistency throughout the current mineral resource.

This has significantly contributed towards de-risking the project during its early years of operation.

The Stantec assessment also suggested the potential viablility of secondary products such as hematite and silica sands and supported the flow-on optimisation of mine design, processing and logistics.

Technical understanding

“The last six months have been all about more thoroughly testing and understanding the technical properties (de-risking) of the Hawsons deposit and testing the viability of a 100% dry processing circuit,” Mr Revy said.

“This is crucial for cost optimisation and smarter decision making as we head towards finalising the Hawsons process flow sheet by the end of the year.”

“The result is a simplified, lower-cost and environmentally cleaner alternative to a traditional hydrometallurgical route.”

Engineering and cost data

The company is currently collating engineering and cost data with the aim of releasing an updated prefeasibility study, together with a maiden ore reserve estimate.

Mr Revy said Hawsons will now focus on work involving piloting of the material through a test facility in Germany, with results helping to define the project’s final process design criteria.