Partners test nickel laterite in Guatemala

First discovered by a subsidiary of Inco in the early 1970s, the Buena Vista nickel project in Guatemala has been revived by Chesbar Resources (CBI-T) and Intrepid Minerals (IAU-V). The partners are examining the project’s suitability to treatment by pressure-acid leaching and solvent extraction-electrowinning technology similar to that being used at several new nickel mines in Western Australia.

The Buena Vista project was also worked by Transmetales in the mid-1970s and by Cominco in the mid-1990s; the companies carried out pitting programs to test a horizon of lateritic nickel mineralization measuring 1,900 by 800 metres. However, for various reasons (including political ones), the property reverted to the Guatemalan government. Chesbar and Intrepid acquired the ground last year as part of the 3,090-ha Sechol exploration licence.

The partners recently launched a test-pitting program across the favourable horizon to confirm the results of earlier work and to provide samples for metallurgical testwork. Test pitting is also taking place on other parts of the property.

Work to date has involved test pits dug at intervals along a 1,500-metre length in the previously identified zone of mineralization. Results from the first four pits averaged 1.72% nickel, with the depth of the pits ranging from 7 to 12 metres.

The metallurgical division of Dynatec will study the mineralogy and geochemistry of the nickel mineralization to determine its suitability for hydrometallurgical processing. In the meantime, the companies are accelerating their test-pitting program in hopes of establishing a resource over the Main zone, and identifying resources at nearby targets.

Chesbar is funding the current US$300,000 program. Once it is completed, it will hold a 70% interest, whereas Intrepid will own a 30% stake in the Sechol licence area, which includes the Buena Vista nickel project.