Test Pit & Demonstration Plant

TEST PIT & DEMONSTRATION PLANT

In 2019, WIM excavated a test pit as part of its Definitive Feasibility Study. Over 11,000 tonnes of ore was removed and processed through a pilot scale Demonstration Wet Concentration Plant, at the mine site.

The test pit trials confirmed:

  • Avonbank ore body characteristics confirmed
  • High grade, high zircon & shallow ore body is well understood
  • Geotechnical trials successful

WIM partnered with world-leading mineral sands processing specialists, Mineral Technologies to design & construct the Demonstration Plant. Following a safe & rapid construction & commission - the plant ran smoothly for over six months of stable production.

WIM produced over 800 tonnes of premium quality, Zircon-rich HMC - and is now completed further downstream engineering studies, as input into the DFS.

The Demonstration plant trials confirmed:

  • The Avonbank ore can be processed using conventional spirals, with high recoveries
  • Avonbank HMC is of premium quality and production over 6 months was very consistent
  • Tailings are well understood & are managed using conventional management measures

The completion of the Demonstration Plant has now set a robust foundation for WIM to complete a BFS and position the project to come on line in coming years.  

 

AVONBANK TEST PIT - ORE EXCAVATION STAGE

Avonbank Ore Cut via truck & shovel

 

ORE STOCKPILE - AVONBANK TEST PIT

 

AVONBANK DOZER PUSH - ORE STOCKPILE

   Avonbank Ore Stockpile - shaped by Dozer

INSPECTION OF ORE FACE 

WIM Team members inspect the ore face

 

  RHS - WIM CEO Eddy Wu and Michael Winternitz (Project Manager)

 

 

WIM Resource Board & Team Members 

 

AVONBANK DEMONSTRATION PLANT - FULLY OPERATIONAL 

Demonstration Plant - late 2019 - fully operational