Aston Minerals reports significant improvement in nickel rougher flotation recoveries

Aston Minerals Limited (ASX: $ASO) has announced the successful completion of metallurgical testing on composite samples, confirming nickel rougher recoveries of up to 76%, marking a 12% increase from previous test work. The testing has revealed a strong correlation between sulphur to nickel ratios and recovery, with >0.2% sulphur being necessary to achieve >59% nickel rougher recovery. The majority portion of the 2023 Bardwell resource has >0.2% sulphur. The company's managing director, Russell Bradford, expressed satisfaction with the results, emphasizing the potential to enhance project economic performance.

Executive commentary on metallurgical testing and future plans

Russell Bradford, Managing Director of Aston Minerals, highlighted the significant increase in nickel recoveries and reduction in mass recovery to rougher concentrate. He emphasized the importance of the relationship between nickel recovery and sulphur tenor, indicating that this will be a key focus for development studies in mine planning and metallurgical optimization. Bradford also outlined the next phase of metallurgical testing, which will refine the final concentrate recoveries and grade through a closed circuit cleaner circuit. Additionally, he mentioned the plan to perform magnetic separation of the rougher flotation tail to potentially increase overall nickel circuit recovery and produce a magnetite by-product stream. Bradford expressed the company's commitment to providing further updates on the metallurgical testing program as they continue to refine the proposed flowsheet using conventional beneficiation methods.

Summary of metallurgical program and future outlook

Aston Minerals' metallurgical testing has yielded promising results, with significant improvements in nickel rougher recoveries and the identification of a strong correlation between sulphur to nickel ratios and recovery. The company's focus on refining the flowsheet using new composited core from the recent drilling program, testing nickel and magnetite recoveries using magnetic separation techniques, and re-running the block model for a new mineral resource estimate demonstrates a proactive approach to optimizing project performance. The commitment to initiate a scoping study using the information derived from the forward plan reflects the company's strategic planning for future development. With ongoing efforts to enhance nickel recoveries and explore potential by-product streams, Aston Minerals is poised for continued progress in its metallurgical program and project development.