NITRIC ACID What minerals resist HCl or NHO3 ( do not dissolve ) gold
platinum
palladium
rhodium
ruthenium
iridium
osmium rhenium = high recovery
What minerals react with HCl - ( do dissolve ) Brucite Magnesium
Hematite
Iron
Copper
Zinc
Olivine
What minerals react with NHO3 - ( do dissolve ) Nickel
Nickel Iron
Copper Brucite
Iron
Olivinite
Pentlandite
Cobalt
https://marulla.com/mineral-solubility/ SILICA Reverse flotation (silica is floated away from the iron concentrate) has proven to be an economical and effective method for reducing the concentrate silica content to very low levels.Dec 11, 2018
NEW EXTRACTION MODEL ? Crush + Grind Ore ( fine mesh )
Heat magnetite ( demagnetize loose other minerals attaching )
Float Silicates
Nitric Acid Soak ( high consumption )
Platinum group + rhenium and gold
do not dissolve (
easy removal )
Minerals that do dissolve in nitric acid
Nickel $9 / lb
Magnesium / $2.50 / lb
Olivine
Copper / $4 / lb
Cobalt $33 / lb
= Electrowin = High payables Where's the highest expense ? Crushing ? No
Milling ? No
Nitric Acid ?
YES PURCHASE NITRIC ACID - Per ton price of HNO3 was recorded at 380 USD FOB MAKE OWN EXTRACT FROM AIR WE BREATH Earth's atmosphere is made up of approximately 78 percent nitrogen
21 percent oxygen.Sep 12, 2016
Air is Free ( 78% nitrogen + 21% Oxygen )
Water is Free ( lots of it in nearby river )
Nitric acid is made by...
reaction of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) with water. Nitric acid
HNO3 -
mol wt.
=1+14+48
=63
g Mass percentage of
hydrogen =631×100=
1.586% Mass percentage of
nitrogen =6314×100=
22.22% Mass percentage of
oxygen =6348×100=
76.19% NITROGEN + OXYGEN PLANT $600 k usd
https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/Air-separation-unit-nitrogen-oxygen-gas_62014097077.html 
I like my extraction model. Deals with the platinum and gold via non solubilzed.
Deals with good portion of Magnetite and Silicates.
Making one's own Nitric acid onsite = Cheap.
Rest of minerals do dissolve in Nitric Acid
Higher payables with high purity metals
River Turbine power
Smaller mine operation = affords more time for metal conversion
I also delved into CNC's PFS.
Easy to understand pretty straight forward.
50% recovery matched the metal payables.
Haven't a clue why NCP's metal payables are so low.
Former MET tests by other owners had far better recoveries.