It has engaged Atom Exchange Technology to conduct a preliminary testwork program on tungsten scheelite concentrate samples from the Mt Carbine mine.

The Atom Exchange Technology is a hydrometallurgical one.

In copper AET claims the process can produce 99.6% copper flakes in less than an hour as opposed to up to 72 hours with electro-winning and without the use of applied electricity – other than what is needed for pumping.

The company says its technology is applicable to most metals and selective non-metals processes that can be placed in solution.

“Although, in the development stage, the unpublished theory supports the recovery of metals such as titanium and precious group metals,” AET says on its website.

Carbine is exploring opportunities with AET to hold agency rights for the distribution of the technology within Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea in relation to its copper and gold advantages.

 

It also wants to work with AET to include certain aspects of the technology’s development into its own research and development programs.