Jervois Mining Ltd. said Jan. 22 that an updated resource estimate for its Idaho Cobalt Operations outlined a 22% increase in contained measured resource to 26.2 million pounds hosted in 2.92 million tons grading 0.45%, at a 0.15% cobalt cut-off grade.

As a result, total measured and indicated resources grew to 50.1 million pounds of cobalt contained in 5.77 million tons grading 0.44%. Inferred resources, meanwhile, totaled 12.0 million pounds of cobalt contained in 1.73 million tons grading 0.35%.

This represented an increase from the previous February 2018 measured and indicated resource estimate, at a higher 0.20% cut-off grade, of 45.7 million pounds of cobalt contained in 3.87 million short tons grading 0.59%.

Results from a 19-hole, 3,125-meter drilling program were incorporated into the new resource estimate, part of a work program to form a bankable feasibility study for the operation.

The Australia-headquartered explorer said the bankable feasibility study is on track for completion by the end of March, with the first concentrate production scheduled to take place in the fourth quarter of 2021.

Under its work program to complete the study, Jervois revisited and substantially modified the stope design and mine plan at the Idaho operation, which it said will increase mined cobalt grade and reduce dilution against published historical studies.