If want a full understanding on Windimurra here are posts on those issues, which I also summarise through reading the Parliamentary report on the issue as well. Refer: Post #: 32012815 and Post #: 32007649
The issues at Windumurra were around the 'friability' of the ore and in relation to recovery in the concentrator, not the refinery process, during magnetic separation, and that I guess is an issue for the new owners as well. https://atlanticptyltd.com.au/projects/windimurra The other issue, Windimurra, from my own understanding, has lower grade ore as well, when compared to TMT and AVL albeit one similarity it does have is oxidisation - refer page 13 slide of this presentation (https://www.australianvanadium.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/AVL-presentation-270118.pdf).
The main real commonality IMO of Windimurra with AVL, is that the AVL deposit is not 'homogenous', which is obvious for AVL which has an oxidosed, fresh and transitional layering style (whilst Windimurra was around friability and and I think more oxidised sections tha 'AVL'), albeit I don't think AVL's deposit, based on my own reading and interpretation of some of the MET tests, has the same extent of falking/easily breakable issues of Windimurra, but others should comment if have an alternate view (i.e. what I am talking about in terms of friability is too many small grains/fines been produced severely impacted the recovery process in the magnetic separators and Windimurra were recovering significantly less vanadium in the concentrator than what they thought they would get in their own PFS).
Therefore, the MET tests here for AVL are a key in terms of recovery in the 'concentrator', especially in the oxidised layers which are currently less than 50% whereas recovery in the fresh and transitional layers is north of 70%. Refer: Post #: 37312181 and Post #: 36854785 Also understanding Windimurra's issues IMO does help these new players such as AVL/TMT is ensuring they do teh proper testing across the deposit to get their 'capex/plant' right in the first place.
Windimurra also had an issue around energy supplies, i.e. getting access to cheap and reliable gas supplies, which is an issue for AVL as well, and one I see they are seeking to address (via gas). Since Windimurra's issues before 2004, be mindful State Government policy around gas reservation in 2007 which would help AVL in getting access to gas. Refer: Post #: 35871089
What I am saying, AVL need to ensure the capex and process flow sheets they design (which the MET tests are a key) need to be fit-for-purpose and easily amendable so that the plant can treat the various layers of the deposit (oxidised to fresh) (so you don't end up with the Windimurra problem where haste to production in part meant they employed a capital solution that didn't work well and could not be fixed at a low cost retrospectively as in production, hence the mine shut down).
Obviously, the Windimurra resource is now better understood. For AVL, though speed to market a key hence why I just want AVL to focus on getting to production by looking at vanadium for steel supply first because need to ensure the MET tests give you the right answer so that the capex solution is fit-for-purpose (in other words AVL just focus on getting your MET tests right and capex solution for entry to steel - after you do that deal with batteries later as a bolt on facility at minesite or produce 99.5% electrolyte offsite etc etc). Refer: Post #: 37313859
I also note the post you are referencing is from 2015, before the initial MET test work here in 2015/16 and the SS and PFS.
It is a risk reward equation, that is really it here. The other risk is AVL not been focussed spending too much time onmthe battery market as against steel, or some other activity like I think that hopeless 'Blesberg' project South Africa play venture into Lithium-Caesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatites that, in effect, was a failure but IMO distracted AVL away from its main game been developing its vanadium mine (before someone else steels its thunder) etc etc
Always risk/reward when dealing with projects that have a deposit that in effect is not homogenous, but focus is teh key IMO.
All IMO and wrote a lot to say very little but the VB tasted great.
All IMO
AVL Price at posting:
2.5¢ Sentiment: None Disclosure: Held
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