Greenvale Energy Limited (ASX: GRV) has obtained key outcomes from the third round of liquefaction test work on bulk samples from its flagship 100%-owned Alpha Torbanite Project in Queensland.
The outstanding results from Test Program Three have again exceeded the company’s expectations and further enhanced the potential of the Alpha deposit to produce bitumen for the domestic market in Australia, helping to meet surging demand from the infrastructure sector.
The completion of Test Program Three paves the way for the immediate commencement of Test Program Four, which will in turn underpin the completion of the Alpha Project Pre- Feasibility Study (PFS).
During Test Program Three, a maximum conversion of 67.3wt% was achieved for the Cannel Coal portion of the Alpha Resource, 65.9wt% conversion was achieved for the Torbanite portion of the Resource and 66.3wt% conversion was achieved for a blended sample. These results, when compared to the maximum conversion rates achieved in Test Programs One and Two, are outstanding and have significantly enhanced the economic potential of the Alpha Project.
For comparison, during Test Program Two a maximum conversion of 39% was achieved from a Cannel Coal sample, and a maximum conversion of 38.3wt% from a Torbanite sample was achieved as part of Test Program One.
This represents a 72% overall improvement in the maximum conversions for Cannel Coal from Test Program Two to Test Program Three.
Additionally, the majority of the samples tested in Program 3 converted 10wt% of the ore to asphaltenes and pre-asphaltenes, regardless of the specific experimental conditions. Interestingly, the Cannel Coal samples performed similarly to the Torbanite samples, particularly when the experimental conditions were more severe (higher temperatures).
Bituminous products typically contain 5-25% asphaltenes, with the asphaltenes blended with heavy oil fractions in varying ratios to produce a wide variety of products. Theoretically, the greater the amount of preserved asphaltenes, the greater the potential output of bituminous products.
“Once again, we have been very impressed by the exceptional outcomes of the liquefaction test program. Seeing such a significant improvement in the maximum conversions for both Torbanite and, unexpectedly, Cannel Coal highlights the substantial value that has been added to the Alpha Project by investigating the liquefaction process,” CEO, Mark Turner, said.
“We believe that the exceptional outcomes of this liquefaction test work have more than vindicated the decision to pursue this processing pathway for the deposit, including the additional time that has been required to complete the Pre-Feasibility Study. Ultimately, it puts us in a position to deliver a significantly more valuable Project for our shareholders.
“Excitingly, the blended samples have yielded comparatively impressive conversions, more than 65wt%. This number may seem inconsequential given the fantastic conversion results of the Cannel Coal and Torbanite samples. However, these findings may have significant flow-on effects in terms of mine and process planning, allowing for a potentially simpler and less capital-intensive mining and processing pathway.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the University of Jordan for their diligent and skilful work in delivering these outstanding results, their input has been greatly appreciated.
“Also, once again, thank you to the team at PROCOM for their technical input. We look forward to sharing more news over the coming weeks as we move closer to delivering Alpha’s highly anticipated Pre-Feasibility Study.”
