AWARUITE vs PERIDOTITEMetallic Sulphies come up in a vein.
Bleed effect into silicate.
Swap occurs creating solid solution nickel and .... sulphide nickel locked in silicates.
Essentially sulphides twined in silicates.
Other scenerio ? Hot geothermal fluids were a mix of silicates + sulphies.
Formed together.
Wink.
Awaruite
occurs in river placer deposits derived from serpentinized peridotites and ophiolites. Ni
2Fe to Ni
3Fe
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Awaruite If i told you i have an Awarutite nickel deposit, but only spoke of the nickel and iron - evaded the serpentine
= would this only be 1/2 the story ?
How would i convey it ? ( avoid the Mg and solid solution minerals )
Excerpt
DTR nickel and total nickel,
along with a suite of other elements. Serpentinite
produced from peridotite contain magnesium-rich serpentine minerals, including chrysotile, lizardite, and antigorite. In addition to the magnesium-silicate minerals, ultramafic rocks contain magnetite (Fe3O4), which is ubiquitous in both unserpentinized and serpentinized ultramafic rocks. Here is a photo of FPX's core specimen.
Yup... peridotite resemblence.
It's gw-eeeeeen.
How did they - distinguish both - nickels ?
DTR nickel
Total Nickel
Yup, two kinds of nickel.
Yet, FPX sticks to the sulphide context.
They're correct when saying sulphide.
Whether sulphide iron nickel or sulphide iron nickel mixed with other minerals
whereby transitioned into, crystalines, in silicates mixed with other minerals, solid solution,
Excerpt - The Baptiste mineral resource estimate (see the Company's
November 14, 2022 news release) is based on a dataset where every interval of mineralized core has been assayed for
DTR nickel and total nickel,
along with a suite of other elements.
DTR nickel analyses measure only the magnetically recoverable nickel which is hosted in medium- to coarse-grained awaruite (nickel-iron alloy), whereas "total nickel" analyses measure both magnetically and non-magnetically recoverable nickel,
the latter being nickel hosted in fine-grained awaruite or nickel sulphide minerals.
The DTR method is the global industry-standard geometallurgical test for magnetic recovery operations and exploration projects.
https://investingnews.com/fpx-nickel-reports-baptiste-metallurgical-variability-testwork-achieving-high-confidence-in-projected-magnetic-separation-recovery-across-entire-mine-life/
FLOWSHEET
Notice how MHP ( mineral hydroxide ) is produced separate.
MHP hydroxide does elude to = capturing solid solution minerals.
Even though above excerpt sticks to - grained Awaruite. Extraction papers i've read - some state the solid solution nickel
is soluble in, water. Fine grinding = liberates.
DNi Extraction
Also mentions MHP nickel / hydroxide.
They also mention - using nitric acid.
From what i can gather,
It would appear FPX is extraction two kinds of nickel in one flowsheet.
Hydroxide points to = solid solution.
Just who is this mystery Quebec extraction company.
Would love to know.
They're doing something right.
As good as the DNi process ?
Appears they've got 90% range recoveries.
Reminds me of, DNi. ( similar )
They're maximizing the magnetic effect.
Like my former posts mentioned.
Awaruite similar to peridotite mineral.
Intteresting extraction topic
FPX's extraction did not separate geologies.
They intergrated each with in extraction flowsheet.
Cheers...