Facts
Ownership
100%
Status
Advanced Exploration/Development
Location
Norway
Hurdal Moly - Europe’s largest Molybdenum deposit
The Hurdal molybdenum deposit is located about 100 km north of Oslo in an area with evolved infrastructure. The project was discovered by Norsk Hydro in 1979 but suspended in the 1980’es. Intex’s geologists decided to re-examine the potential in 2005 and have conducted additional exploration drilling and metallurgical test work.
The Hurdal deposit is a typical porphyry-style mineralization, with stock works primarily consisting of molybdenite-filled fissures and veinlets in an alkali granitic host, showing a characteristic pattern of zoned hydrothermal alterations. There are few other metals in the system and the mineralization is classified as a moly-only deposit.
The Resources
Based on available and new exploration results, SRK Consulting UK Ltd. (SRK) conducted an independent resource estimate and a conceptual mining study. This study provided the first independently verified resource estimate for Hurdal Moly deposit with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 210 million tonnes at 0.13% MoS2 for a 0.07% cut off, (0.087% Mo @ 0.05% c.o.) calculated according to international convention guidelines for resources estimations (CIM code).SRK expressed that the Hurdal deposit has good prospects for commercial development.
The Scoping Study
Aker Kvaerner UK conducted a scoping study and investigation of possible mining scenarios based on comparison with similar projects elsewhere.
Environmental and social impact of our projects is a primary concern for Intex, and these areas were therefore central to the scope of the studies. Aker Kvaerner engaged Scott Wilson Mining (inc. Knight Piesold) to provide underground mining plans and a state-of-the-art Tailings Management Facility (TMF) design with environmentally positive closure scenarios.
An initial conceptual mine study based on underground mining at a rate of 5 mill tonnes per year following an initial open pit operation. A Whittle pit-optimization modelling was applied to the resource-solid developed by SRK and the results showed that significant benefits could be achieved, if an open pit was combined with an underground mine. The study suggested that this project could have a potential life time well over 40 years.
The open pit could also be utilized as storage of tailings from the subsequent underground operation and ultimately provide an approximation of the original surface topography. The study suggested that a Sublevel Open Stoping method (SLOS) with paste back-fill could be applied at similar costs as proposed for the initial proposed SLC method, as it would allow for selective mining and higher grades, hence improving economics.
The Company engaged SGS Lakefield, Canada to conduct a metallurgical recovery test program on samples from the Hurdal ore body. This test work includes crushing and milling properties, flotation testing and mineralogical study of the concentrates. The results allow for design of the optimal processing flow sheet and provide recovery data for the economic modeling. Results of that study showed that recoveries in excess of 90% are achievable, significantly higher than the 85% assumed by the Scoping Study.
Activities summer 2008 and outlook
Several detailed geochemical surveys were completed during the summer and a deep-soil sampling program revealed the existence of several distinctly anomalous zones in the district between Nordli and Ødemarken. Sampling at the main Nordli target confirmed the existence of zones with values as high as 5400 ppm Mo, including an western anomalous area of 400x200 meters with a Mo content of over 300 ppm (equivalent to 0.05% MoS2), which indicates a significant molybdenum mineralisation is exposed in surface rocks in this area. A soil survey completed for the Ødemark target, revealed similar characteristics, and detailed analysis of the summer’s results is now being completed and drilling is now being planned to investigate the nature of these geochemical anomalies and to evaluate whether corresponding in situ mineralization holds a commercial potential. These new areas may all allow for early operation to be conducted simultaneously with extensive development of underground infrastructure required for the main ore body.
Hurdal Molybdenum deposit appears to be a major development opportunity. Several alternative routes for the possible realization of this large project has been considered. The project potentially provides a unique opportunity, not only for our company, but also for the local community in Hurdal, to benefit from the possible renewal of a new, major mining operation in Norway.
The Hurdal molybdenum deposit is located about 100 km north of Oslo in an area with evolved infrastructure. The project was discovered by Norsk Hydro in 1979 but suspended in the 1980’es. Intex’s geologists decided to re-examine the potential in 2005 and have conducted additional exploration drilling and metallurgical test work.
The Hurdal deposit is a typical porphyry-style mineralization, with stock works primarily consisting of molybdenite-filled fissures and veinlets in an alkali granitic host, showing a characteristic pattern of zoned hydrothermal alterations. There are few other metals in the system and the mineralization is classified as a moly-only deposit.
The Resources
Based on available and new exploration results, SRK Consulting UK Ltd. (SRK) conducted an independent resource estimate and a conceptual mining study. This study provided the first independently verified resource estimate for Hurdal Moly deposit with an Inferred Mineral Resource of 210 million tonnes at 0.13% MoS2 for a 0.07% cut off, (0.087% Mo @ 0.05% c.o.) calculated according to international convention guidelines for resources estimations (CIM code).SRK expressed that the Hurdal deposit has good prospects for commercial development.
The Scoping Study
Aker Kvaerner UK conducted a scoping study and investigation of possible mining scenarios based on comparison with similar projects elsewhere.
Environmental and social impact of our projects is a primary concern for Intex, and these areas were therefore central to the scope of the studies. Aker Kvaerner engaged Scott Wilson Mining (inc. Knight Piesold) to provide underground mining plans and a state-of-the-art Tailings Management Facility (TMF) design with environmentally positive closure scenarios.
An initial conceptual mine study based on underground mining at a rate of 5 mill tonnes per year following an initial open pit operation. A Whittle pit-optimization modelling was applied to the resource-solid developed by SRK and the results showed that significant benefits could be achieved, if an open pit was combined with an underground mine. The study suggested that this project could have a potential life time well over 40 years.
The open pit could also be utilized as storage of tailings from the subsequent underground operation and ultimately provide an approximation of the original surface topography. The study suggested that a Sublevel Open Stoping method (SLOS) with paste back-fill could be applied at similar costs as proposed for the initial proposed SLC method, as it would allow for selective mining and higher grades, hence improving economics.
The Company engaged SGS Lakefield, Canada to conduct a metallurgical recovery test program on samples from the Hurdal ore body. This test work includes crushing and milling properties, flotation testing and mineralogical study of the concentrates. The results allow for design of the optimal processing flow sheet and provide recovery data for the economic modeling. Results of that study showed that recoveries in excess of 90% are achievable, significantly higher than the 85% assumed by the Scoping Study.
Activities summer 2008 and outlook
Several detailed geochemical surveys were completed during the summer and a deep-soil sampling program revealed the existence of several distinctly anomalous zones in the district between Nordli and Ødemarken. Sampling at the main Nordli target confirmed the existence of zones with values as high as 5400 ppm Mo, including an western anomalous area of 400x200 meters with a Mo content of over 300 ppm (equivalent to 0.05% MoS2), which indicates a significant molybdenum mineralisation is exposed in surface rocks in this area. A soil survey completed for the Ødemark target, revealed similar characteristics, and detailed analysis of the summer’s results is now being completed and drilling is now being planned to investigate the nature of these geochemical anomalies and to evaluate whether corresponding in situ mineralization holds a commercial potential. These new areas may all allow for early operation to be conducted simultaneously with extensive development of underground infrastructure required for the main ore body.
Hurdal Molybdenum deposit appears to be a major development opportunity. Several alternative routes for the possible realization of this large project has been considered. The project potentially provides a unique opportunity, not only for our company, but also for the local community in Hurdal, to benefit from the possible renewal of a new, major mining operation in Norway.