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 About Planet Metals LimitedProjects and Operations |
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| Wolfram Camp Tungsten-Molybdenum Project (85%) | |
 | | Wolfram Camp's 150,000tpa Processing Plant |
Located 90km west of Cairns, Wolfram Camp was first discovered in 1894 with cumulative production estimated at over 10,000 tonnes of wolframite, molybdenite, bismuth and mixed concentrates.
Since becoming involved with the project in 2004, Planet Metals has aggressively explored the central portion of the prospective near surface mineralisation, targeting the halo ore around the previously mined higher grade areas. The objective was to establish an economically viable open-cut operation as quickly as possible in order to take advantage of the strong commodity prices at the time.
Sufficient funds were raised to build a 150,000tpa processing plant which comprised a combination of flotation and gravity techniques. Onsite construction work commenced in November 2007 when the mining leases were granted and the completed plant was handed over by the contractor in July 2008.
The process plant operated intermittently for less than three months but unfortunately a combination of technical difficulties and a shortage of working capital, compounded by the global financial crisis, resulted in a suspension of operations in November 2008. During operations, a small amount of wolframite and molybdenite concentrate was produced.
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Care and maintenance activities continue as the Company evaluates the project with a view to returning it to production. A total of 4,745m of drilling was completed in late 2009, early 2010. Assay results were forwarded to Golder Associates who prepared a revised independent resource estimate. Total resources now stand at 1.42 million tonnes and 0.60% WO3 and 0.12% Mo
Investigations have also commenced on run of mine ore pre-concentration via X-Ray Ore Sorting in order to enhance the Wolfram and Molybdenum mill feed grade. Initial testwork on specific size fractions indicated that a high proportion of barren material could be rejected with minimum loss of valuable minerals. It has been estimated that an increase in mill feed grade of 250% could be achievable. An assessment of the technology in terms of project economics is still in progress.
 | | Processing Plant currently under care and maintenance |
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 | | Wolfram Camp Project Location |
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