Hawsons Iron Ltd has successfully upgraded magnetite concentrate from the Hawsons Iron Project to 69.3% Fe using bulk-scale elutriation testwork. The physical separation process improved upon the 67.8% Fe feed grade while substantially reducing key impurity levels in the final product.

The testwork achieved a 39% reduction in silica, dropping from 4.04% down to 2.48% SiO2, alongside a 28% decrease in alumina from 0.40% to 0.29% Al2O3. Phosphorus levels remained exceptionally low at 0.006% in the upgraded concentrate, while other elements such as manganese, calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, and titanium dioxide held steady at minimal concentrations.

Elutriation uses differences in specific gravity between magnetite and gangue minerals during the final stages of processing. By targeting silicates and aluminosilicates remaining from magnetic separation, the technique delivers higher iron grades without requiring any corresponding increase in mine production.

These results confirm the parameters of earlier testwork that led Hawsons Iron Ltd to incorporate elutriation into the process flowsheet for its December 2025 Pre-Feasibility Study. That study previously reported an average magnetite concentrate grade of 68.6% across a 2,300 million-tonne probable ore reserve estimate for the 100% owned project.

“Importantly, we have demonstrated on a bulk concentrate sample that a relatively straightforward physical separation process can increase the iron grade from 67.8% Fe to 69.3% Fe, while substantially reducing silica and alumina.”

— Tom Revy, Managing Director

Hawsons Iron Ltd will use the data to refine operating conditions as work advances toward the final Feasibility Study. The company also plans to conduct large-scale pilot test work using vertical roller mills to define final process design criteria for the Hawsons Iron Project.

Read the full announcement: Elutriation Testwork Results