Rare Element Resources
Bear Lodge Project
Canadian NI 43-101 Technical Report
October 9
th
, 2014
10135-200-46 - Rev. 0
17-57
17.10 Recovery Calculation using METSIM
METSIM is commercially available non-predictive process simulation software
recognized as one of the best simulation softwares for metallurgical processing
simulation. Because of its non-predictive nature, the model needs to be
programmed using real data from bench scale, pilot plant or real operation test
work. The Bear Lodge Model was developed using bench scale and pilot plant data
from various series of tests undertaken at SGS Canada Inc., in Lakefield Ontario,
Canada.
A second commercially available process simulation software: ChemCAD was used
to predict the non-ideal hydrochloric acid – water system in the distillation unit prior
to modelling in METSIM.
17.11 Objectives of METSIM Model
The objective for the modelling of the Bear Lodge process is to define the plant
operation and generate a basis for the sizing of the facilities.
In addition, the METSIM model enabled Roche Engineering to forecast the effect of
the natural variation in feedstock on the plant operation throughout the project life.
17.12 Results
Roche Engineering used the METSIM model to determine the plant and equipment
sizing, the consumption of reagents and the production and composition of products
and waste streams from the Physical Upgrade and Hydromet Plants.
17.13 Model Inputs
Screening Recovery
17.13.1
Screening recoveries were calculated from screening test performed during the
autumn 2013 PUG pilot plant held at SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield, Canada and on
follow-up screening tests performed at SGS Canada Inc. in April 2014. Screening
recoveries are presented in Table 7-9.
Data was not available for each element present in the resource for each resource
type. Screening recoveries for elements with no available data were determined by
analogy with the recoveries of such element in other material types. As such, the
comparative basis for the estimation of elements with no reported recoveries for the
BHMGOx and BHLGOx materials is presented in Table 7-8.
