‘Game changing’ DSO option potential for American West’s Storm copper play

Storm mulls over low-capex DSO model
Ongoing metallurgical testwork has potential for Storm to produce high-grade copper feed grades
Drilling program ‘rapidly advancing’ to upgrade current 17.5Mt copper resource

Special Report: Metallurgical studies and test work on the Cyclone and Chinook copper deposits at American West Metals’ Storm project is looking to produce commercial copper feed grades for direct shipping ore (DSO) potential.

American West Metals (ASX: AW1) says the Storm DSO process could potentially be easily optimised to suit increased mining production rates and selective concentrate grades at a low-cost and low-footprint.

Ongoing test work is showing further upside potential and includes continuing variability, comminution and optimisation studies on the Cyclone, Chinook, and Thunder deposits at the project.

The explorer is looking at using a two-circuit, ore sorting and Inline Pressure Jig stream capable of a range of DSO concentrate grades for commercial grade DSO products, using typical copper ores through an uncomplicated and low-cost process.

“This could be game-changing for the Storm project and world-leading in terms of copper processing innovation and performance,” AW1 MD Dave O’Neill says.

“This proof-of-concept processing option for Storm could significantly de-risk the project from a development, funding and permitting perspective.

“Whilst the drilling rapidly advances the resource and exploration program, our shareholders will be encouraged to see that we are also progressing these other high-value initiatives.”

Storm copper mineralisation being processed by a full scale Steinert ore-sorter in Perth. Pic: AW1

Drilling up a Storm

Storm is on Somerset Island, Nunavut, in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago and part of the Aston Bay property that includes the Seal zinc project and numerous regional prospects and targets.

Ongoing resource infill and expansion drilling aims to deliver an upgraded mineral resource estimate – which could significantly build on Storm’s current 17.5Mt at 1.2% Cu plus contained silver credits.

Recently, AW1 extended the known strike of the high-grade Thunder copper zone to over 300m.

The explorer intersected a continuous 73.2m thick zone of visual copper sulphide mineralisation from 45.7m downhole, while the second intersected a continuous 121.2m interval from 18.3m.

The Storm discovery is among the few high grade copper finds made in recent years as major deficits threaten to emerge later this decade, with the potential to supercharge prices of the industrial metal at the centre of the world’s ongoing electrification.

This article was developed in collaboration with American West Metals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.