Perth-based NSL Consolidated Ltd. successfully conducted the first complete full load test of its Kurnool dry separation iron ore plant in the southeast Indian state of Andra Pradesh.

Run of Mine (ROM) ore from the company's nearby Mangal iron ore mine was run thorugh the entire Kurnool cicuit, enabling NSL to validate alignment and calibration of all components of the crushing, screening and dry separation plant.

Full commissioning of the Phase 1 Kurnool iron ore dry separation plant continues as the company finalizes optimization of the process capable of producing up to 58% Fe grade ore, with target completion by 30 June 2012.

NSL expects over the coming third quarter a gradual ramp-up in production and sales tonnages towards the targeted Phase 1 production capacity of 200,000 tonnes per annum.

The Phase 2 wet beneficiation plant for Kurnool, capable of producing final product grades of between 58-62% Fe, will be brough into operation later in 2012 with completion and anticipated sales in the first half of 2013. This is targeted to increase production capacity by an additional 200,000 tonnes per annum to a total of 400,000 tonnes per annum from Kurnool.