Pluton Resources is looking at the potential of beneficiation and its possibilities of upgrading Irvine Islands lower grade material. Pluton has contracted CSIRO Iron Ore division to study the potential of a beneficiated ore from Irvine Island. Drill hole samples have been used to replicate the behaviors and characteristics of LIMS (Low Intensity Magnetic Separation) and WHIMS (Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation) processes. LIMS uses a low intensity magnetic field with the intention of attracting the magnetite particles leaving the gangue and Hematite to be flushed though to the Tails (reject) portion of the machine. WHIMS uses high intensity magnets and a water medium to remove the hematite from the gangue portion. These two devices can be used singularly or in junction to upgrade the material from waste to an ore concentrate. Pluton Resources has successfully achieved this with producing an Iron ore concentrate of 65.82% Fe from a previously waste material of 39.45% Fe within the Yampi zone. Excitingly the Wanganin sandstone averaging 27.8% Fe and ranging in thickness from 60m to 140m can be upgraded to 67.79% Fe at 47.06% Fe recovery revealing the potential of the overlying unit previously thought of as gangue and overburden.

Representative photomicrographs of 250 micron crushed fractions from drill hole ID28, Irvine Island. Pink grains are fully liberated magnetite and white grains are fully liberated hematite.