Pivotal Metals has revealed ore sorting test results at its Horden Lake project that deliver up to a 2.1 times uplift in copper grade, promising substantial cost savings and flexible development options in Quebec’s Tier 1 mining jurisdiction.
- Up to 2.1x copper and copper-equivalent grade uplift via XRT ore sorting
- 68% mass rejection with 69% copper recovery achieved in high-selectivity sorting
- Potential for significant reductions in capital and operating costs
- Ore sorting enables smaller plant footprint and improved environmental management
- Horden Lake hosts a 37 million tonne resource at 1.1% copper equivalent
Ore Sorting Breakthrough at Horden Lake
Pivotal Metals Limited (ASX – PVT) has announced compelling metallurgical test results from its 100% owned Horden Lake copper-nickel-PGM project in Quebec, Canada. The company’s recent large-scale ore sorting trials using TOMRA’s X-Ray Transmission (XRT) technology demonstrated the ability to upgrade the copper grade by up to 2.1 times, while rejecting 68% of the waste mass and recovering 69% of copper. This breakthrough highlights the potential for a more cost-effective and environmentally sustainable mining operation.
Ore sorting is a pre-concentration technique that separates valuable ore from waste rock early in the processing chain. By removing low-grade material before grinding and flotation, Pivotal can reduce the size and complexity of the processing plant, leading to lower capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operating expenses (OPEX). The test results also showed a flexible trade-off – a higher copper recovery of 86% was achieved with a 1.5 times grade uplift by applying less selective sorting criteria, rejecting 44% of mass.
Strategic and Economic Implications
Horden Lake’s mineral resource estimate stands at 37 million tonnes at 1.1% copper equivalent, predominantly amenable to open-pit mining. Located in Quebec, a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction, the project benefits from proximity to infrastructure and a supportive regulatory environment. The ore sorting results could significantly enhance the project’s economics by enabling a smaller concentrator, reduced tailings volumes, and potentially off-site processing of a beneficiated product. This modular and scalable approach may also simplify permitting and reduce environmental footprint, aligning with growing ESG expectations.
Managing Director Ivan Fairhall emphasised the importance of these results, noting that ore sorting technology is proven globally and that the findings reinforce Horden Lake’s status as a rare copper-dominant deposit. The company plans to incorporate ore sorting into future economic assessments and continue metallurgical and exploration work to optimise project development.
Technical Validation and Next Steps
The ore sorting testwork was conducted at the Saskatchewan Research Council’s large-scale facility, combining XRT sorting with heavy liquid separation to handle fine material. The results confirm that the heterogeneous sulphide mineralisation at Horden Lake can be effectively upgraded by rejecting gangue material early. This approach not only improves feed grade but may also enhance flotation performance by removing deleterious minerals.
While the technology is established and commercially proven, Pivotal cautions that no binding agreements for off-site processing have yet been secured. Further metallurgical testing, including flotation of sorted products, and detailed economic studies are underway to validate the full benefits and define the optimal processing strategy.
Supported by a C$105,000 grant from the Québec government’s Mineral Exploration Support Program, Pivotal is advancing Horden Lake as a critical mineral project with significant upside potential amid strong copper and precious metals markets.
Bottom Line?
Pivotal’s ore sorting success at Horden Lake sets the stage for a leaner, greener copper project with promising economics.
Questions in the middle?
- How will ore sorting impact the overall project timeline and capital requirements?
- What are the prospects and challenges of securing off-site processing agreements?
- Could further metallurgical work reveal additional resource or recovery upside?