Proof of concept has been established for in situ recovery (ISR) of copper at the Kapunda copper project, in partnership between Thor Mining and Environmental Copper Recovery SA (ECR). The project, in which Thor Mining has a right to earn into a 45% effective interest, holds an inferred JORC compliant resource of 119,000 t of copper, as per the maiden resource estimate announced in February 2018 by Thor Mining (in partnership with ECR) and Terramin Pty.
It follows a typical series of well-defined project development steps with each step being a ‘go, no-go’ decision point. The Proof of Concept of ISR for the project is a significant step forward in the project development process. Highlights:
- Positive Initial hydrogeological assessment and water sampling completed
- Construction of the necessary technical models of geology, ore grade, copper species distribution, and fracture density
- Initial hydrogeological computer modelling which suggests that flow through the ore body is possible and the geology is amenable for ISR
- Successful completion of preliminary laboratory work, and determined that the copper species present are recoverable
- Initial implementation of a community education program for community on benefits of ISR
- Stage 2 work commenced.
Mick Billing, Executive Chairman, commented: “The proof of concept stage has been successful in demonstrating that, from both a technical and social viewpoint, we should proceed to the next stage of work. This next stage (stage 2) will include: relevant approval processes, pump and environmental testing, and will incorporate a field recovery trial to generate solution and test a variety of metal recovery options.”
“The successful completion of these stages was complemented by the receipt of a (CRC-P) Commonwealth Research Program Grant for A$2.85 million for the Kapunda Copper ISR project, further supporting this exciting initiative of an economically and environmentally sustainable mining future technique.”
“We look forward to providing further information on this exciting project, and each of our other projects at Molyhil (including Bonya), and Pilot Mountain in the coming weeks.”
Kapunda is located approximately 90 km north of Adelaide in South Australia.
On 1 August 2017, Thor announced an agreement to earn up to 60% of a newly incorporated private Australian company, ECR, initially via convertible loan notes of up to A$1.8 million, which will be used to fund field test work and feasibility activities at Kapunda over the next three years.
In turn ECR has entered into an agreement to earn, in two stages, up to 75% of the rights over metals which may be recovered via ISR contained in the Kapunda deposit from Australian listed company, Terramin Australia.
In February 2018 Thor announced an Inferred JORC Resource Estimate for the Kapunda project, of 47.4 Mt grading 0.25% Cu, containing 119,000 t of contained copper considered amenable to ISR techniques.
