Tando Resources produces one of world’s highest-grade vanadium concentrates during large-scale test work
Tando Resources has produced a 2.2% vanadium concentrate during large-scale plant simulation test work on SPD ore.
Tando Resources (ASX: TNO) has generated a 2.2% vanadium concentrate after large scale test work, with the company claiming it is one of the highest-grade vanadium concentrates reported globally.
Large-scale plant simulation test work was carried out at Tando’s flagship SPD vanadium project in South Africa.
Bulk samples were treated using the proposed flowsheet and processing route.
Additionally, the results compare well with previous laboratory scale Davis Tube test work, which returned notable assays of 25m at 2.42% vanadium from 23m, including 8m at 2.32% vanadium (for mass recovery of 41%) and 35m at 2.15% vanadium from 21m (mass recovery 45%).
According to Tando, the entire vanadium content at SPD falls within the magnetic concentrate.
“Therefore, the test work results also provide confirmation that whole rock assay results reported by the company are representative of the recoverable vanadium content across the project,” the company stated.
As a result, Tando believes SPD is one of the world’s highest-grade vanadium deposits both on a whole rock and concentrate grade basis.
Advancing SPD
A scoping study is underway at SPD, with a mineral resource estimate due within the next three weeks.
The large-scale test work has enabled Tando to evaluate the capital and operating costs for a beneficiation plant.
Once the mineral resource has been published, Tando expects the scoping study will be released a few weeks later.
Tando is looking to generate early cash flow by developing a low-cost operation at SPD that initially exploits the high-grade resource within the project of 87 million tonnes at 1.07% vanadium as well as the ore’s ability to be processed using simple beneficiation techniques.
The high-grade zone falls within an overall resource of 588Mt at 0.78% vanadium.
SPD is close to Glencore’s Rhovan and Bushveld Minerals’ Vametco vanadium operations in South Africa.
Both existing operations produce vanadium products for the steel and battery industries.
Due to the nearby vanadium mines, SPD has access to a skilled workforce in the local community and region.
The project also has the advantage of proximity to power, water, rail, seal roads, mining service providers and other support companies in the area.