Listen to our latest Investing Matters Podcast episode 'Uncovering opportunities with investment trusts' with The AIC's Richard Stone here.
London South East prides itself on its community spirit, and in order to keep the chat section problem free, we ask all members to follow these simple rules. In these rules, we refer to ourselves as "we", "us", "our". The user of the website is referred to as "you" and "your".
By posting on our share chat boards you are agreeing to the following:
The IP address of all posts is recorded to aid in enforcing these conditions. As a user you agree to any information you have entered being stored in a database. You agree that we have the right to remove, edit, move or close any topic or board at any time should we see fit. You agree that we have the right to remove any post without notice. You agree that we have the right to suspend your account without notice.
Please note some users may not behave properly and may post content that is misleading, untrue or offensive.
It is not possible for us to fully monitor all content all of the time but where we have actually received notice of any content that is potentially misleading, untrue, offensive, unlawful, infringes third party rights or is potentially in breach of these terms and conditions, then we will review such content, decide whether to remove it from this website and act accordingly.
Premium Members are members that have a premium subscription with London South East. You can subscribe here.
London South East does not endorse such members, and posts should not be construed as advice and represent the opinions of the authors, not those of London South East Ltd, or its affiliates.
As Pitfield mineralogy and processing is now at the forefront of investor attention it seems timely to highlight a 10 page “Technical Appendix” to the March 5th RNS which appears to have been overlooked by most since it is not mentioned or quoted by anyone here. The link to the Appendix is below:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6096F_1-2024-3-5.pdf
When evaluating the content it is important to bear in mind that the various studies described apply to samples from RC and/or DD holes from Mt Scratch and the Thomas target, mostly at sub-40m depths and so not representative of the rutile/anatase enriched weathered zone. The TIMA image [Fig 2] and the CSIRO Microprobe BSE image [Fig 3] appear to be from sub-40m unweathered titanium and Ti-bearing Fe oxide enriched bedrock. Note: the BSE [Backscattered Electron] image is obtained using QEMSCAN technology, the supposed absence of which has been a prime example of misinformation by an accusatory and spurious contributor to this chat-site. QUEMSCAN is a propriety technology of the mineral resources division of CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, with which EEE's association is of primary importance.
Although relating to the deeper titanite resource, and therefore of less immediate interest compared with the overlying rutile/anatase resource, the above TIMA and BSE images do provide promising indications of a mineralogy conducive to physical disaggregation and subsequent processing. The titanite and Ti-bearing Fe oxides are distinct and predominant, with the Fe end of the Titano-Hematite to Hemo-Ilmenite series in low % terms. This is well supported by the Wet Gravity Separation Diagnostic Testwork [pages 4-6] based on samples from 88m depth at Thomas and 170-180m depths at Mt Scratch, which in summary “provides confidence that minerals can be recovered by gravity separation”. Analysis of the two samples indicated a TiO2 content of around 67% from the titanite minerals [ref pages 6/7]. The remainder [pages 7-10] of the Appendix is a more comprehensive account of the “Metallurgical Processing Options” and the “Potential TiO2 Products” outlined in the RNS. Presumably much of this will be updated from subsequent and in-progress studies more appropriate to the priority rutile/anatase resource.
To be continued
Continuation:
The diamond drillholes referred to above were unsuccessful in producing stable cores from the weathered zone so it is the more recently acquired 4 DD cores, which were successful in doing so [ref RNS May 28th], which will provide the material for QEMSCAN analyses of the rutile/anatase enriched resource. Those analyses, which will include electron probe quantitative analysis of trace elements, should be available shortly. The results will contribute data to the testwork program including ore characterisation and the processes necessary for mineral separation and TiO2 extraction. As the industry has very extensive expertise in designing customised processes often unique to particular ore characteristics, I anticipate no insurmountable problems in achieving a successful outcome to that testwork program, leading to the design of a Process Flowsheet and Demonstration Plant.
AGEOS
Ageos,
I think you know where I stand regarding your posts so I'll keep it brief.
The science, the process and the mineralogy side of this investment has never really been in question. Shauns excitement can not hide those, and neither do the results and issued results.
It is always nice to hear your breakdown of my research, as strenuous as it is down to limited knowledge on certain subjects, but a sharp enough mind to piece the data, samples and findings together through avenues of research beyond just the reports.
Risks will remain on progress, fundings and sentiment. Traction to pick up and so forth.
If these can be achieved through shareholder consideration, fair sp performance and non dilution of shares then we perhaps have one of the best investments to come out of AIM in a considerable time.
I wish you luck, I will await the data in the coming weeks and months ahead.
Enjoy
By breakdown I mean, confirming my beliefs, and filling in pot holes I'm not fully equipped to digest in short spaces.
Thank you
Thanks ageos,does that mean the original titanite find ,many,many billions of tons of,, is going to be easily sorted,to put it into laymans terms. i know the size of the particles is extremely important,does the sample size look good from the electron microscope slides? and do we need to wait for more results as the new potentially high value weathered discovery hasnt been tested yet,as the original titanite was 5 times better than most other finds around the world in ti % theyve been working on that as possibly a trillion tons or more of ore to sort through depending on depth,as we are literately just scratching the surface at 300 mtr (1km mines in existence) when it could go to several kilometers deep ,if recoverable at such depth.
Oldslow, they won't be dealing with anything below the weathered cap (top 30-40m) for many years - only when the rutile/anatase bearing ore is exhausted, so may as well forget about that for now. Particle size is important as well as opacity and light absorption, but there are many industry applications for all kinds of properties. The next analytical document will provide confirmation of what we actually have.
Thanks Ageos for your hugely informative posts.
In your opinion, could the pathway to building a producing mine be speeded up if our ore was transported to a rival & existing mine who had similar minerology & whose spare capacity ( if they have any ) could be used to process our ore & therefore prove the viability of our feedstock without the time & costs needed to build the demo plant-eg TRonox who have a mine around 90 minutes away by road.I appreciate I may be over simplifying the possibility but I am neither a geologist or miner.
God, we love you Ageos. Every post is like a warm bath in professor juice.
PS I stole Guy’s quote
Ok thanks prospector,i did think they might try the titanite ore processing(bromic or hydrochloric acid leaching) as this is still the original find,and i realize the potential $2000/ton new top find would be of more interest as easier to get to and a lot higher than the $65/ton titanite price.. first muted,not that im complaining, the potential is off the scale once a ore seperating plant has been designed and proven at scale,and costed,we are fortunate to be in at the begining of this.
I have indicated in previous posts that EEE should provide some proof that the rutile/ anatase in the 40m top weathered zone can be separated into clean and discrete saleable minerals. I suggested that showing QEMSCAN images might be one way to do this, amongst others. AGEOS has correctly pointed out that in an old RNS (March) EEE has provided some electron microscope images of unweathered titanite ore from below the 40m weathered zone. First comment - this does not give any answers on the "new" weathered saprolite rutile/ anatase.
Secondly, I think the results EEE show in the RNS do not bode particularly well for disaggregation or beneficiation of the titanite material into something that could be acid leached.
Textural issue: The main claimed ore mineral of titanite is formed paragenetically late and fills the pore spaces. According to the RNS they show poor morphology and are therefore less likely to be able to form discrete grains able to be isolated and concentrated.
Issue with wet gravity separation of fresh rock: 90% of the TiO2 reported to 80-84% of the mass. THIS SHOWS THAT GRAVITY CONCENTRATION HAS NOT BEEN EFFECTIVE. THE FIRST STEP OF THE METALLURGY HAS FAILED.
You are left with an essentially un-upgraded, low grade mix of Ti silicates and Fe+- Ti oxides.
Just as the big buys start coming in
Your timing us atrocious
Almost as much as my spelling
But your game is of benefit, so crack on
Hey Charles, you must do better.
More misinformation from LH aka Charles
AGEOS
Posts: 812
Price: 9.00
No Opinion
Pitfield TiO2 Mineralogy & Processing18 Jun 2024 15:34
As Pitfield mineralogy and processing is now at the forefront of investor attention it seems timely to highlight a 10 page “Technical Appendix” to the March 5th RNS which appears to have been overlooked by most since it is not mentioned or quoted by anyone here. The link to the Appendix is below:
http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/6096F_1-2024-3-5.pdf
When evaluating the content it is important to bear in mind that the various studies described apply to samples from RC and/or DD holes from Mt Scratch and the Thomas target, mostly at sub-40m depths and so not representative of the rutile/anatase enriched weathered zone. The TIMA image [Fig 2] and the CSIRO Microprobe BSE image [Fig 3] appear to be from sub-40m unweathered titanium and Ti-bearing Fe oxide enriched bedrock. Note: the BSE [Backscattered Electron] image is obtained using QEMSCAN technology, the supposed absence of which has been a prime example of misinformation by an accusatory and spurious contributor to this chat-site. QUEMSCAN is a propriety technology of the mineral resources division of CSIRO, Australia's national science agency, with which EEE's association is of primary importance.
Although relating to the deeper titanite resource, and therefore of less immediate interest compared with the overlying rutile/anatase resource, the above TIMA and BSE images do provide promising indications of a mineralogy conducive to physical disaggregation and subsequent processing. The titanite and Ti-bearing Fe oxides are distinct and predominant, with the Fe end of the Titano-Hematite to Hemo-Ilmenite series in low % terms. This is well supported by the Wet Gravity Separation Diagnostic Testwork [pages 4-6] based on samples from 88m depth at Thomas and 170-180m depths at Mt Scratch, which in summary “provides confidence that minerals can be recovered by gravity separation”. Analysis of the two samples indicated a TiO2 content of around 67% from the titanite minerals [ref pages 6/7]. The remainder [pages 7-10] of the Appendix is a more comprehensive account of the “Metallurgical Processing Options” and the “Potential TiO2 Products” outlined in the RNS. Presumably much of this will be updated from subsequent and in-progress studies more appropriate to the priority rutile/anatase resource.
To be continued
AGEOS
Posts: 812
Price: 9.00
No Opinion
RE: Pitfield TiO2 Mineralogy & Processing18 Jun 2024 15:35
Continuation:
The diamond drillholes referred to above were unsuccessful in producing stable cores from the weathered zone so it is the more recently acquired 4 DD cores, which were successful in doing so [ref RNS May 28th], which will provide the material for QEMSCAN analyses of the rutile/anatase enriched resource. Those analyses, which will include electron probe quantitative analysis of trace elements, should be available shortly. The results will contribute data to the testwork program including ore characterisation and the processes necessary for mineral separation and TiO2 extraction. As the industry has very extensive expertise in designing customised processes often unique to particular ore characteristics, I anticipate no insurmountable problems in achieving a successful outcome to that testwork program, leading to the design of a Process Flowsheet and Demonstration Plant.
AGEOS
Now regarding the heavily weathered zone ie top 10m or otherwise termed "saprolite".
EEE's RNS recent indicates that TIMA and BSE images have identified significant rutile and anatase in the saprolite. However, this is a weathering alteration product of titanite - see here: https://tinyurl.com/5c8bwh8r
“Titanite may alter to a fine-grained aggregate of Ti-oxides such as rutile or anatase.”
It is my belief that in the case of Pitfield, it can fairly be assumed that fine-grained rutile+-anatase occurs as the alteration products of titanite. These fine grains often occur as rims on the other reaction product of titanite weathering, being quartz. Studies show titanite decomposes to relatively porous grains …which contain siliceous material in addition to fine rutile+-anatase.
My view: There is close to zero chance EEE will be able to produce any sort of marketable titanium mineral (rutile+anatase) OR (rutile ony) concentrate from the surface saprolite material, and noting that generally any anatase in the rutile will be seen as an impurity (unsaleable also). The altered composite porous grains will likely not be heavy enough to gravity concentrate, and if broken apart will go to the very fine slimes fraction and never be concentrated into a saleable direct-ship product. Remember, rutile at sub 45um - 70um is generally not saleable to pigment producers given the limitations of their chlorinator technology.
Lovehandles, you do remind me of Charlie, you know the guy who writes for Sovereign.
Your syntax is exactly the same Charles P.
Now what motive could you possibly have as a paid troll for Sovereign?
Do you think we,are idiots?
Maybe 4Kandles mate who is seeing SB later on can pose these questions/assertions from LH?!
Doc but that wont stop him will it?
He's a paid troll by Sovereign.
Shaun surely doesn't have the time to personally reply to every comment made by Charlie.
If he did, Charlie has achieved bis disruptive intention.
Always seems a poster post just before or just after every time handles post and it’s either the 1st or 2nd post
Instigating
Pure conjecture Glenn
Please move on to something constructive for all our sakes 🙏
All we need now is Genghis to pop in and say how knowledgeable Charlie is……
I imagine LH sorry I mean Charlie is back because it’s short bet is looking risky.
Short spread bet .......negative narrative ....even a bit panicky? always seems to preceed a bit of a rally......might be time to load up? I have already.......don't know if I'm right (on the trade) ????? but always happy to hold on EEE....'til I am right of course....and will always hold a CORE....for FOMO....lol