EV Nickel talks metallurgical results at Gemini North

Executive Summary

• EV Nickel Inc. reported positive interim metallurgical results from the Gemini North Nickel Sulphide zone of its Shaw Dome project, confirming strong flotation performance and concentrate grade potential suitable for downstream bioleaching.
• The testing, conducted by SGS Canada Inc., demonstrated robust nickel recoveries of 81-85% and sulphur recoveries above 97% under non-deslimed conditions, with final cleaner concentrate grades exceeding 5% Ni (up to 9.70% Ni in variability testing).
• These results provide a technical foundation for continued metallurgical optimization, including grind size refinement and reagent scheme adjustments, with additional comminution and locked-cycle flotation tests planned.

Key Details

• Project Location: Gemini North Nickel Sulphide zone, part of the Shaw Dome project, located approximately 30 kilometres south of Timmins, Ontario.
• Testing Provider: SGS Canada Inc.
• Sample Scope: Six composite samples from the Gemini North zone were submitted for testing, including head characterization, mineralogical analysis, comminution planning, and extensive flotation testing.
• Mineralogy: Nickel is predominantly hosted in sulphide minerals, specifically millerite and pentlandite, within a silicate-dominated gangue assemblage.
• Rougher Flotation Performance:
  • Operating without desliming yielded the highest nickel recoveries, ranging from 81.4% to 85.2%.
  • Sulphur recoveries were consistently above 97% under non-deslimed conditions.
  • Desliming provided only marginal grade improvements at the expense of recoverable nickel.
• Cleaner Flotation Performance:
  • Final cleaner concentrate grades exceeded 5% Ni, meeting project targets for downstream bioleaching.
  • Grades up to 9.70% Ni were achieved in variability testing.
  • Final nickel grades reached up to 5.83% Ni with strong nickel recoveries ranging from 47% to 70%.
• Comparison to Benchmarks: The observed nickel recoveries (47-70%) are approximately three to 14 times higher than the CarLang A sulphide concentrate nickel recovery estimate of 5% to 20%.
• Future Work: Preliminary work suggests that including a magnetic iron concentrate could result in higher overall nickel recoveries than the sulphide concentrate alone. Further optimization is planned, including refinement of grind size, reagent schemes, and flowsheet design. Additional comminution testing and locked-cycle flotation tests are scheduled.
• QA/QC Procedures:
  • Core handling involved sawing NQ-sized drill core in half; one half retained for reference, the other sent to Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Actlabs) in Timmins, Ontario.
  • Samples were crushed to 80% passing 2mm, with a riffle split pulverized to 95% passing 105 micrometres.
  • Analytical methods included peroxide fusion with ICP-OES finish for Nickel, Copper, Cobalt, Iron, and Sulphur; and fire assay with ICP-OES finish for Gold, Platinum, and Palladium.
  • Certified reference materials and blanks were inserted into the sample stream for quality assurance.

Notable Quotes

• "These interim metallurgical results are very encouraging and confirm the strong fundamental characteristics of the Gemini North mineralization... The standardized flotation conditions developed by SGS have delivered repeatable results and provide a solid technical foundation achieving robust recoveries and strong concentrate grades, from the Gemini North zone, giving me confidence in the consistency of the mineralization and its overall economic potential." — Paul Davis, Vice-President of Exploration