Cornish Metals is focused on advancing the South Crofty high-grade, underground tin Project through to delivery of a Feasibility Study, as well as exploring its additional mineral rights
(Credit: Kefentse Molotsane on Unsplash)
Cornish Metals Inc. (AIM/TSX-V: CUSN) (“Cornish Metals” or the “Company”), a mineral exploration and development company focused on its South Crofty Tin Project (“South Crofty” or the “Project”) in Cornwall, United Kingdom, is pleased to report that it has commenced wet commissioning of its newly constructed Mine Water Treatment Plant (“MWTP”) at South Crofty.
Richard Williams, CEO and Director of Cornish Metals, stated; “The commencement of wet commissioning at the South Crofty MWTP is another exciting step towards the dewatering of South Crofty Mine. Our project team, supported by a small army of dedicated local contractors, has worked extremely hard over the last 12 months to take the MWTP from a conceptual flowsheet design through to a fully constructed plant.”
MWTP Commissioning
The MWTP uses the proven HDS water treatment technology to remove metals and other contaminants from the mine water. The plant commissioning process takes place in several stages:
Fill all the reaction tanks with water and check for leaks;
Electrically test each of the motor and control circuits, commission the reagent addition modules, supplied as package plants from third party suppliers, and receive first fills of all reagents; and
Start running the plant and treating the water to allow a bed of thickened (high density) sludge to build up within the plant. This sludge building step is an essential part of the HDS process and is required to achieve the permitted water quality standards for discharge. During the sludge building process, the raw water from the mine is treated through the plant and then re-circulated back into the mine. Not until the plant is fully operational and performing to the required standards will any treated water be discharged to the Red River.
Background
South Crofty is a historical, high-grade, underground tin mine that started production in the sixteenth century, and continued operating until 1998;
The Project possesses Planning Permission for underground mining, valid to 2071, Planning Permission to construct a mine water treatment plant, new processing facilities, all necessary site infrastructure, and an Environmental Permit to dewater the mine;
South Crofty has the 4th highest grade tin Mineral Resource globally and benefits from the presence of multiple shafts that can be used for future operations;
Tin is a Critical Mineral as defined by the UK, USA, and Canadian governments, with approximately 75% of the tin mined today coming from China, Myanmar and Indonesia;
There is no primary tin production in Europe or North America;
Responsible sourcing of critical minerals and security of supply are key factors in the energy transition and technology growth;
South Crofty benefits from strong local community and regional and national government support. The Project could generate 250 – 300 direct jobs.
Source: Company Press Release