36
This report is available at no cost from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) at www.nrel.gov/publications
characteristics for these deposits are presented in Table 13. Each deposit will now be discussed
in greater detail.
Table 13. Summary of Indium Production From New Mine Production
Company
(Country)
Property
Resources (tonnes)
Potential
Production
e
(tpa)
Indium
Purity
f
Production
of Refined
Metal
e
(tpa)
Actual or
Anticipated
Start Date
Adex Mining Inc.
(Canada)
Mount
Pleasant,
North
Zone
Indicated
790
38.5
99.998%
(4N8)
b
38.5
+2015
Inferred
200
Total
990
Government of
Bolivia
l
(Bolivia)
Malku
Khota
Indicated
190
80
99.99%
76
j
+2015
Inferred
1,290
Total
1,480
Argentex
(Argentina)
Pinguino
Indicated
120
8.0
4
Conc.
a
7.3
+2017
g
Inferred
310
Total
430
Silver Standard
Resources
(Argentina)
Pirquitas
Reserves
e
33
18
k
Conc.
c
15.4
k
2009–2020
i
Resources
e
80
Total
113
Doe Run Peru
(Peru)
La Oroya
N/A
N/A
6.0
99.991%
(4N1)
6.0
2013
Western
United
Mines Ltd./Celeste
Copper Corp.
(England)
g
South
Crofty
Potential
resource
h
85
11.7
Conc.
h
10.0
+2017
h
Total
3,013
153
Figures may differ slightly from original sources due to rounding. “e” = estimate; “Conc.” = concentrate
a
Only 75% of indium will be recovered in the zinc concentrate (Argentex Mining 2012).
b
Assuming that Mount Pleasant produces indium sponge.
c
Concentrates of silver and zinc are expected to contain average indium concentrations of 450 and 1000 ppm, respectively (Board et al. 2011).
d
According to Argentex, ~75% of indium will be recovered in the zinc concentrate (Argentex Mining 2012).
e
Based on an average indium content estimate of 2 ppm (Schwarz-Schampera and Kerzig 2002) in total reserves and resources declared by Board et al.
(2011). Resources based on measured, indicated, and inferred resources. Reserves based on proven and probable reserves.
f
Refers to the level of indium purity refined onsite.
g
The Pinguino Preliminary Economic Assessment is considered to be at the conceptual study level. Additional resource delineation and metallurgical
tests need to be completed to support a pre-feasibility study and subsequent feasibility and detailed designs. Given the remote location of the site, it is
not anticipated that first production would be achieved before 2017. Furthermore, as currently designed, Argentex plans to mine and treat the near
surface oxide ores before treating the deeper sulfide ores. Because indium is believed to be recovered only through the sulfide ores, it may only
commence indium production a number of years after commercial production of silver and gold.
h
Data for the South Crofty mine are preliminary. Conceptual mine planning and a preliminary economic assessment have not been performed. For the
purpose of giving indicative results we have assumed: (1) that only the “potential resource” declared in Hogg (2011) is incorporated; (2) a life
of mine
of 12 years; (3) a recovery rate of 80% indium in the concentrate stage; (4) recoveries of 90% and 95% in converting the concentrate to sponge and
then from sponge to refined metal; and (5) that because of ongoing dialogue with the nearby community and the preliminary stage of feasibility
studies, production would not commence until after 2017.
i
Although commercial production has commenced at Pirquitas we do not believe the operation is currently recovering indium metal.
j
Uses an average recovery of 95% in converting effectively smelter quality product (i.e., 99.99%) to +4N metal.
k
Based on average silver and zinc concentrate production from 2012 to 2020 of 13,556 tonnes and 11,778 tonnes, respectively. Average indium
concentrations in the respective concentrates of 450 and 1000 ppm are used. Source: derived from Board et al. 2011. Indium is not currently believed
to be recovered from these concentrates. Our own estimates indicate that 5.54 tpa indium metal may be contained in the silver concentrate and 10.69
tpa may be contained in the zinc concentrate.
l
On July 10, 2012, the Government of Bolivia announced plans to nationalize South American Silver Corporation’s interest in the Malku Khota
deposit.
Sources: Own estimates; Adex Mining 2012a; Thibault et al. 2010; Armitage et al. 2011; Gibson and Hayes 2011; Argentex Mining 2009; Guido
2012; Board et al. 2011; Silver Standard 2012; Schwarz-Schampera and Herzig 2002; Hogg 2011