Palladium producer runs tests to improve recovery. (Mining).Although plans to develop a smelting smelting, in metallurgy, any process of melting or fusion, especially to extract a metal from its ore. Smelting processes vary in detail depending on the nature of the ore and the metal involved, but they are typified in the use of the blast furnace. facility have fallen by the wayside, North American Palladium Palladium An element commonly used in jewelry, electronics, and the purification of hydrogen.Notes: Palladium is considered to be a precious metal. See also: Bullion, Iridium, Platinum, Precious Metal, Silver Ltd. recently completed pilot plant test program that has confirmed higher palladium recoveries are possible with a finer grind of ore. In November, the company began a large scale in-plant test on finer grinding using the existing tower mills to confirm the palladium recovery improvements achieved in the pilot plant program. "Our intent is to build on the operating improvements made to date and take the necessary steps to increase palladium recoveries and consequently palladium production," Michael Amsden, chairman and CEO of the company, says. Canada's only significant primary producer of palladium was investigating the feasibility of developing a new smelting facility, but the treasurer of the company says they are no longer looking to develop the facility. In August of 2001, the mine, which has been operating since 1994 at the Lac des Iles site approximately 85 kilometers northwest of Thunder Bay, held a ceremony to mark the official opening of the firm's mine expansion project. At the time, the expansion project represented an investment of over $220 million and was expected to employ 285 workers. The production of palladium was also expected to be increased by 500 per cent to approximately 250,000 ounces annually. Nicholas Nikolakakis, treasurer of the company, says the mine has been successful for the most part in matching those expectations, although he indicates that the company is still trying to improve its throughput and recoveries. "We're slowly getting there," he says. "We are running production around 200,000 ounces annually, and we are going to be targeting about 250,000 ounces annually." In terms of the company's ongoing exploration program, Nikolakakis indicates that there is potential for additional expansion. "The exploration program has been successful," he says. "Based on last year's expansion program, we are evaluating the possibility of an underground mining operation. But, these are early days and there is still quite a bit of work to be done before we conclude anything on that." www.napalladium.com |
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