Black Iron Inc. has reported results of initial independent pelletizing trials conducted by Mekhanobrchermet Laboratories in Kryiviy Rih, Ukraine on iron ore from Black Iron's Shmanivske project.
The results demonstrate that pellets made from Shymanivske ore meet or exceed all of the necessary chemical and physical characteristics of commercial-grade iron ore pellets.
After pelletization, the pellets returned the following chemical analysis:
George Mover, Chief Operating Officer of Black Iron, commented, "These initial results are encouraging. The pellets produced satisfy all of the main physical characteristics for commercial pellets including high iron grade and contaminant levels well below acceptable cut offs. The data generated by MCM is expected to serve as a springboard for BBA and Hatch to use in their further development of the pellet plant flowsheet and cost estimates, which is one of two project development options being evaluated for our upcoming PEA/Scoping Study due in the fourth quarter of this year."
The process used to complete the small scale pellet production, as well as the quality assurance and quality control parameters, were developed by MCM independent of Black Iron. Additional process design and analysis will be required should the Company decide to commercialize iron ore pellets from Shymanivske. Black Iron anticipates reviewing this initial pelletizing data in conjunction with the ongoing PEA/Scoping Study. If Black Iron decides to move forward with the pelletizing option, it may conduct pilot scale pellet production to confirm the commercial viability of iron ore pellets. The Company remains encouraged by preliminary data that suggests that a premium quality iron ore pellet is possible using the Shymanivske ore.