Group 6 Metals Limited reported that commercial production of tungsten concentrate has begun at the Dolphin Tungsten Mine on King Island, Tasmania.
The facility processed over 10,000t of lower to medium-grade ore at an average grade of 0.3% WO3, yielding about ten (10) tonnes of saleable tungsten concentrate in June 2023. Preliminary site testing shows that the concentrate produced contains an average grade of 55% WO3 and a maximum grade of 68% WO3. The concentrate is being put into a container and will be dispatched for the Company’s first concentrate sales, marking yet another critical milestone for Group 6 Metals.
“We are thrilled to achieve commercial production within weeks of the production of first concentrate at the Dolphin Tungsten Mine. Our achievement of successfully processing more than 10,000t of ore in June and producing concentrate ready for sale is another significant milestone for the Company and a credit to the hard work and dedication of our site team and contractors,” Group 6 Metals Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer Keith McKnight said.
The site team is still working on improving performance to maximise recovery. Group 6 Metals has achieved full-scale proof of the flow sheet by producing at a grade that fulfils off-take contract criteria, including a portion of the flow sheet unique to the Dolphin Tungsten Mine.
“The team will now focus on the commencement of drill and blast operations later in the month which we expect to further improve the performance of the process plant by increasing the head grade,” McKnight stated.
Preparation for the start of the drill and blast is well underway, with run-of-mine ore scheduled to be supplied to the plant later this month, increasing ore head grade to the mill.
On 2 July, the company organised an open day at the Dolphin Tungsten Mine. This allowed the local community to tour the project site and examine the progress made since construction began in early 2022.
