- Increased feedstock grade significantly increases
TiO2 output tonnage
- Increased feedstock grade significantly decreases opex per
tonne of TiO2 production
MONTREAL,
June 5, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Argex
Mining Inc. ("Argex") (TSXV: RGX) (FSE: ASV) (OTCBB: ARGEF) is
pleased to report the results of a TiO2 grade
sensitivity study. The objective of the study was to evaluate the
impact of different TiO2 grades of ilmenite feedstock on
the operational parameters of the CTL hydrometallurgical process.
The internal study was completed in collaboration with BBA Inc. of
Montreal, Quebec.
Three different raw material scenarios were
considered for the sensitivity analysis with TiO2 grade
ranging from 32.0% to 53.9% and Fe/Ti ratio ranging from 2.2 to
1.0. The results of the sensitivity analysis are reported in
relative percent terms compared to a reference scenario which is
based on the operational parameters for the production of
TiO2 pigment using a raw material similar in composition
to the mineralization outlined at Argex's La Blache property
(TiO2 grade of 18.9% and Fe/Ti ratio of 3.9). The
operational parameters considered in the study include raw material
input tonnage, TiO2 pigment output tonnage, plant
capital expenditures (capex), and plant operational expenditures
(opex) per tonne of TiO2 produced. It was assumed for
the purpose of the study that the selected feedstock for each of
the scenarios was purchased from a third-party supplier, with the
purchase and associated transportation costs not factored into the
study. Credits for Fe2O3,
V2O5 or others by-products were also not
taken into consideration for the opex parameter of the sensitivity
analysis.
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Feedstock
Scenarios |
|
Sensitivity vs. Base
Case Scenario* |
TiO2 Grade |
|
Fe/Ti Ratio |
|
Raw Material Input
Tonnage |
|
TiO2 Output
Tonnage |
|
Opex
(per tonne of TiO2 produced) |
|
Capex
(for one industrial module)
|
32.0% |
|
2.2 |
|
+ 5% |
|
+ 78% |
|
- 46% |
|
+ 7% |
47.0% |
|
1.1 |
|
+ 40% |
|
+ 248% |
|
- 64% |
|
+ 16% |
53.9% |
|
1.0 |
|
+ 43% |
|
+ 309% |
|
- 69% |
|
+ 22% |
* Base case scenario
considers raw material grading 18.9% TiO2 with Fe/Ti
ratio of 3.9. |
The sensitivity analysis is based on the
production of TiO2 pigment from a conceptual
hydrometallurgical plant based on the CTL process with capacity
corresponding to the size of one industrial module as it is
envisioned. The production capacity of one industrial module is
defined by the size of the acid regeneration units, which was fixed
at 58,000 tonnes of Fe2O3 per year and
corresponds to two pyrohydrolysis units capable of processing a
total of 36 cubic meters per hour of iron chloride solution. The
capex of the hydrometallurgical plant was adjusted for each
scenario based on the equipment required to handle different
production levels of TiO2 pigment. Operating cost
assumptions are unchanged from the La Blache PEA unless noted
otherwise. Finishing and coating equipment capex and opex were
excluded from the analysis. The costs for electricity and natural
gas were set to $0.048 per kWh and
$5.50 per million Btu,
respectively.
Argex President and CEO, Roy Bonnell, commented on the results of the
sensitivity study. "The internal analysis, completed with BBA,
demonstrates improved project economics by using higher
TiO2 grade feedstock for the CTL process. These
promising results, demonstrate not only the important value-added
that the acquisition of the Lac Brûlé property represents, but also
why we have initiated preliminary testing of selected third-party
ilmenite concentrates in order to determine the optimal feedstock
specifications to maximize the profitability of the process."
"The internal study shows that an increase in
the TiO2 grade of the feedstock significantly lowers the
operating cost per unit of TiO2 produced," said
Enrico Di Cesare, COO and V-P
Technology of Argex. "With a similar capital investment, we could
increase potential revenues by more than three times and reduce our
operating expenses per tonne of TiO2 produced by close
to 70%. Furthermore, because of the fixed quantities of iron that
an industrial module can process due to equipment constraints,
results show that lower iron content in feedstock allows the
company to process a larger amount of raw material."
About Argex Mining Inc.
ARGEX MINING INC. is a near-term producer of
commodities that the world needs: Titanium Dioxide, Iron and
Vanadium Pentoxide. With a primary goal of advancing rapidly
towards production, Argex has adopted a simple and low-risk
strategy for the scale-up of its proprietary process that allows it
to produce high purity TiO2 directly from run-of-mine
material from its 100% owned deposit.
The process is running continuously at the
mini-plant in Mississauga,
Ontario. The closed-loop process is environmentally friendly
and produces minimal inert tailings.
Additionally, the Company owns 100% of the
Mouchalagane property, which is a large Labrador Trough iron ore
property that represents further potential upside for the Argex
shareholders.
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SOURCE ARGEX MINING INC.