technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...

More documents

Recommendations

Info

feasibility design recommendations is based on geo<strong>technical</strong> logging completed in conjunction with the Avalon 2009 exploration drill program. The 2009 exploration drill program at the TLP included drilling five (5) HQ diameter drill holes from each pad positions. In general, at least two (2) holes from each drill pad were logged by Avalon geological staff. The selected holes covered a range of azimuths in order to reduce directional sampling bias. Geomechanical data collection was focused on the depth ranges of greatest interest (20 to 30m into the HW, the Ore and at least 5 to 10 m into the FW). During the 2009 program, Avalon geological staff geomechanically logged approximately 2,300 m of core divided among 22 drill holes. The logging focused on gathering the rock mass characteristics needed to classify the encountered rock masses using both the Norwegian Geo<strong>technical</strong> Institute Tunneling Quality (NGI-Q) and the 1989 version of the Rock Mass Rating system (RMR89). These holes were used to assign rock mass characteristics to the HW, Ore and FW. The results suggest that the rock masses encountered at the TLP are generally good quality and that there is little variation with depth. General observations include the following: • Drill core recovery was consistently close to 100% suggesting that few zones of reduced rock mass quality were encountered. • RQD values were generally in the 90 to 100% range. • RMR values were generally ranged between 60 and 80 and would be typical of a good quality rock mass. The rock mass was grouped into domains with similar engineering characteristics. Given the relatively minor down hole variations in rock mass quality and the focus of this study on the rock masses in and around the ore body, it was decided to utilize only three geomechanical domains: HW, Ore and FW. A comparison of the design values determined for each domain suggested that they do not vary enough to justify different design values. As such, RMR = 67 and a Q’ of 4.2 were initially selected for pre-feasibility design purposes for all domains. Lower and upper bound values were also used for certain analyses. Subsequent review of the number of joint sets and the rationalization of the design parameters to the expected “good” rock conditions led to a revision of the Q’ value to 8.3. In addition the performance of the rock as openings are developed will be used as a guide in the final stope design sizing. Technical Report 43-101 – March 13, 2011 Page 18-5 Prepared by Avalon Rare Metals Inc.
During discussions with the mine design team, it was determined that rock mechanics input was required in the following areas in order to advance mine planning and mining method selection discussions. • Room and Pillar Stopes: the span that could be opened-up between pillars • Long Hole Open Stopes: stope dimensions In order to estimate achievable spans for Room and Pillar mining several different approaches were adopted including empirical design, support calculations and historical experience. The results of the analyses generally suggest that 8 to 12 m spans could be achieved for temporary man-entry openings with 2.4 m rebar on a 1.2 m or 1.5 m square pattern and 6-gauge welded wire mesh. Longer support would be required in the intersections between the rooms. This range of spans is relatively aggressive and exceeds rules-of-thumb that many operating mines utilize as the starting point for their standard support patterns. As such, these spans will likely only be achievable in the absence of adverse structure (forming wedges), stress effects, excessive blast damage and/or substantial zones of reduced rock mass quality. If these situations are encountered then an upgraded ground support package will be required. For the purposes of determining Long Hole open stope dimensions a well accepted empirical design technique was utilized (the Stability Graph method, shown in Figure 18-3). For this project, it was decided to design within the “Unsupported Transition Zone”, but with an option to cable bolt the stope back and design within the “Stable Support Zone”. The design results for the Thor Lake project assumed that the total stope height would be 30m (back-to-floor) and that the walls would all be vertical. The stope back was found to be the limiting stope surface and that 15 to 25 m (square) stopes should be achievable. The 15 to 20 m range is thought to be appropriate for preliminary planning purposes. It is likely that at least some long back support will be required to control dilution, although the length and intensity of the support will be somewhat dependent on the configuration of the over-cuts. Technical Report 43-101 – March 13, 2011 Page 18-6 Prepared by Avalon Rare Metals Inc.
Page 1 and 2:
TECHNICAL REPORT ON THE NECHALACHO
Page 3 and 4:
TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. SUMMARY ......
Page 5 and 6:
QUALITY ASSURANCE / QUALITY CONTROL
Page 7 and 8:
Warehouse..........................
Page 9 and 10:
LIST OF TABLES Table 1-1 Summary of
Page 11 and 12:
Table 18-9 Mine Ventilation Quantit
Page 13 and 14:
Table 18-54 Table 18-55 Pine Point
Page 15 and 16:
LIST OF APPENDICES APPENDIX A Block
Page 17 and 18:
Table 1-1 Summary of Mineral Resour
Page 19 and 20:
Royalties. The net revenue generate
Page 21 and 22:
• The products will be shipped in
Page 23 and 24:
• Income taxes and NWT mining roy
Page 25 and 26:
2. INTRODUCTION This report
Page 27 and 28:
Figure 2-2 Project Sites, Thor Lake
Page 29 and 30:
Table 2-1 Rare Earth Element Data A
Page 31 and 32:
LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS Units of meas
Page 33 and 34:
4. PROPERTY DESCRIPTION AND LOCATIO
Page 35 and 36:
The mining leases have a 21-year li
Page 37 and 38:
5. ACCESSIBILITY, CLIMATE, LOCAL RE
Page 39 and 40:
Fort Resolution is located on the s
Page 41 and 42:
producing a tantalum concentrate, b
Page 43 and 44:
Figure 7-2 Detailed Deposit Geology
Page 45 and 46:
The nepheline-sodalite syenite host
Page 47 and 48:
LATE TECTONIC FAULTS Faults are pre
Page 49 and 50:
8. DEPOSIT TYPES The mineral deposi
Page 51 and 52:
The Ore (Nechalacho) Nepheline Soda
Page 53 and 54:
from section to section - this may
Page 55 and 56:
Table 9-1 Average Percent of Ore Mi
Page 57 and 58:
The Nechalacho deposit alteration s
Page 59 and 60:
11. DRILLING Since 1977, diamond dr
Page 61 and 62:
Foraco drill rig was added in Febru
Page 63 and 64:
CORE LOGGING AND CORE RECOVERY The
Page 65 and 66:
A high R 2 (and all regressions had
Page 67 and 68:
12. SAMPLING METHOD AND APPROACH A
Page 69 and 70: such as Illimausaq in Greenland, a
Page 71 and 72: 13. SAMPLE PREPARATION, ANALYSES AN
Page 73 and 74: limited set of elements; however, s
Page 75 and 76: CONCLUSIONS Avalon’s conclusions
Page 77 and 78: Tb and Dy) were routinely monitored
Page 79 and 80: As part of the QA/QC program, Avalo
Page 81 and 82: Table 14-4: Comparison of Niobium,
Page 83 and 84: shows more deviation, with ALS MS81
Page 85 and 86: 16. MINERAL PROCESSING AND METALLUR
Page 87 and 88: In a typical test, for example CCr-
Page 89 and 90: 17. MINERAL RESOURCE AND MINERAL RE
Page 91 and 92: 9. TREO equivalent is estimated by
Page 93 and 94: Table 17-4 Sample Information Avalo
Page 95 and 96: Figure 17-1 Distribution of REO Com
Page 97 and 98: Assay Statistics for Upper Zone* *
Page 99 and 100: CUT-OFF GRADE A previous public res
Page 101 and 102: underneath for SG measurement purpo
Page 103 and 104: Figure 17-4 Density Measurements AL
Page 105 and 106: was equal to 60 m by 60 m by 30 m a
Page 107 and 108: Table 17-12 Detailed Resource Break
Page 109 and 110: Table 17-13 Indicated Mineral Resou
Page 111 and 112: Figure 17-7 Outline of Area of Indi
Page 113 and 114: The recoveries estimated for the fl
Page 115 and 116: grades were based upon the grades w
Page 117 and 118: Figure 18-1 Thor Lake Site Layout T
Page 119: Scott Wilson RPA recommends the use
Page 123 and 124: Figure 18-4 Mine Layout Some of the
Page 125 and 126: Figure 18-5 Mine Development Schema
Page 127 and 128: Table 18-2 Development Tonnage Brea
Page 129 and 130: Until the crusher is in place and t
Page 131 and 132: Lateral Development The access decl
Page 133 and 134: Equipment will be selected based up
Page 135 and 136: Table 18-6 Estimated Electrical Loa
Page 137 and 138: VENTILATION The mine ventilation is
Page 139 and 140: for closing unused areas and for ch
Page 141 and 142: Mine Fan Horse Power Using the same
Page 143 and 144: Paste Fill System A paste fill syst
Page 145 and 146: Communications Mine communications
Page 147 and 148: completion of the 30 m to 50 m long
Page 149 and 150: HEALTH AND SAFETY All crew will be
Page 151 and 152: The crushing plant is designed for
Page 153 and 154: Table 18-12 (Cont’d) Principal Pr
Page 155 and 156: Figure 18-9 Hydrometallurgical Plan
Page 157 and 158: The Pine Point hydrometallurgical f
Page 159 and 160: Decant pipeworks have been included
Page 161 and 162: • Development of pre-feasibility
Page 163 and 164: Design Basis The pre-feasibility le
Page 165 and 166: non-woven geotextile) to prevent da
Page 167 and 168: divert surface drainage away from r
Page 169 and 170: A high pressure (200 psi) compresse
Page 171 and 172:
Fuel deliveries are assumed to be s
Page 173 and 174:
Mill Supplies The key mill supplies
Page 175 and 176:
Table 18-15 Surface Equipment Fleet
Page 177 and 178:
Figure 18-10 Thor Lake Temporary Ba
Page 179 and 180:
• Together with the unloading log
Page 181 and 182:
it will be necessary to upgrade the
Page 183 and 184:
Table 18-16 Hydrometallurgical Plan
Page 185 and 186:
Table 18-17 Surface Mobile Equipmen
Page 187 and 188:
Rare Earth FOB China* FOB China** P
Page 189 and 190:
• loparite and eudialyte in alkal
Page 191 and 192:
Table 18-18 Rare Earth supply - 200
Page 193 and 194:
Table 18-20 Rare Earth Demand by Ap
Page 195 and 196:
Table 18-22 Proposed New REO Projec
Page 197 and 198:
in China. On this basis, Avalon is
Page 199 and 200:
Determine Prices for Avalon’s Pro
Page 201 and 202:
The balance of niobium supply is co
Page 203 and 204:
epresenting about 18% of total zirc
Page 205 and 206:
Table 18-25 Historic Chinese Export
Page 207 and 208:
Figure 18-16 Tantalum Markets - 200
Page 209 and 210:
the price for tantalum chemicals in
Page 211 and 212:
Surface Hydrology The Thor Lake dra
Page 213 and 214:
seven) have occurred more frequentl
Page 215 and 216:
elative to uranium, the overall eff
Page 217 and 218:
interviews conducted for the nearby
Page 219 and 220:
Wildlife Early science-based wildli
Page 221 and 222:
Other environmental permits/approva
Page 223 and 224:
TAXES The NWT diesel tax has been i
Page 225 and 226:
Table 18-31 Mine Capital Cost Estim
Page 227 and 228:
Table 18-33 Surface Infrastructure
Page 229 and 230:
Table 18-36 Indirect Cost Estimate
Page 231 and 232:
Table 18-37 Contingency Allowance A
Page 233 and 234:
Operating Cost Exclusions The opera
Page 235 and 236:
Table 18-40 Underground Mine Cost S
Page 237 and 238:
Table 18-41 Mine Cost Details Avalo
Page 239 and 240:
Thor Lake Surface The Thor Lake sur
Page 241 and 242:
Table 18-45 Sales and Marketing Cos
Page 243 and 244:
Table 18-47 Rail Car Load Limits Av
Page 245 and 246:
there will be no overhauls in the i
Page 247 and 248:
Other supplies and freight will be
Page 249 and 250:
Table 18-55 Hydrometallurgical Plan
Page 251 and 252:
Table 18-56 Cash Flow Summary Techn
Page 253 and 254:
The sensitivity of the base case 8%
Page 255 and 256:
19. INTERPRETATION AND CONCLUSIONS
Page 257 and 258:
• The Mineral Reserves, which hav
Page 259 and 260:
20. RECOMMENDATIONS The authors of
Page 261 and 262:
21. REFERENCES BCC Research (2009):
Page 263 and 264:
MDN Inc (2010): News Release Melvil
Page 265 and 266:
Wardrop Engineering Inc. (2009): Th
Page 267 and 268:
23. CERTIFICATES OF QUALIFIED PERSO
Page 269 and 270:
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON I,
Page 271 and 272:
CERTIFICATE OF QUALIFIED PERSON I,
Page 273 and 274:
Section 416000 Section 416100 Secti
Page 275 and 276:
Page 277 and 278:
Page 279 and 280:
Technical Report 43-101 - March 13,
Page 281 and 282:
Page 283 and 284:
Page 285 and 286:
Page 287 and 288:
Page 289:
show all

technical report on the nechalacho deposit, thor lake project ...

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?