Equatorial Resources (ASX:EQX) has reported promising metallurgical results from magnetite ore sampled at its Mayoko-Moussondji iron project in the Republic of The Congo.
The results demonstrate that the magnetite iron mineralisation at Mayoko-Moussondji has the potential to be upgraded using simple magnetic separation to produce a high quality concentrate product at a relatively coarse grind size and with very high mass and iron recoveries.
The testwork, using the Davis Tube Recovery process, returned concentrates with high iron grades of 69 per cent and mass recoveries of 50 per cent with very low levels of silica, alumina, sulphur and phosphorus.
Managing director and chief executive John Welborn said: "While our immediate development plan is focused on the DSO (direct shipping ore) potential of Mayoko-Moussondji, these results demonstrate the superb characteristics of the underlying magnetite mineralisation.
“The results are superior to other regional and international magnetite projects and confirm the significant advantages and massive project mine life potential represented by the large magnetite ore body being delineated at Mayoko-Moussondji.
“We are very encouraged as this is the first step of a comprehensive metallurgical testing program designed to demonstrate the potential for our project to produce a range of premium iron products," Welborn added.
The magnetite mineralisation is the deepest mineralisation identified in the project area.
Equatorial is expecting metallurgical test results from samples taken from the colluvial mineralisation on the surface in the next weeks. Results from mineralisation that is earmarked for producing DSO should start coming in from June this year.
Mayoko-Moussondji consists of five main iron ore prospects with an aggregate prospective strike length of over 46 kilometres.
The current drilling program underway at Mayoko-Moussondji is designed primarily to target potential DSO mineralisation and oxide iron mineralisation that is easily upgradeable to a premium product contained within mineralisation at the Makengui prospect.
Makengui represents approximately 12 kilometres of the 46 kilometres of prospective strike at Mayoko-Moussondji and is located 500 metres from the operational railway line that leads directly to the deep water port of Pointe-Noire.