PERTH(BullionStreet): Blackham Resources (ASX: BLK) has shown the potential for overall gold recoveries of 92.8% from its Matilda Gold Project in preliminary feasibility metallurgical testwork.
Significantly, this is higher than the 89.9% average recovery assumed in the Matilda Scoping Study announced in November 2012. The completed work is the second phase of a metallurgical study.
Bryan Dixon, managing director, commented: “We are very pleased with the results of the metallurgical testwork and the process design criteria which will help us evaluate our processing options going forward.
“This is another significant step in de-risking the Matilda Gold Project.”
The Pre-Feasibility investigation was conducted to characterise the Matilda ore to determine head grade and comminution response, as well as test the response to gravity separation and precious metal recovery by cyanide leaching.
A total of 616 metres of diamond drill core was submitted for laboratory testing. The results suggest the resource could be economically treated using standard gravity concentration/carbon in leach cyanidation technology.
Key findings showed that oxide ore recovery was 99%, transitional ore recovery was 91% and fresh ore recovery was 86%.
The Pre-Feasibility work builds on the scoping testwork by increasing the confidence through further work on flowsheet validation and variability testing, including comminution (crushing and grinding) characteristics.
The comminution testwork involved impact crushing work index and unconfined compressive strength testing of samples showing them to be soft across the three ore types tested.
Bond suite testwork results for the master composite samples showed that both the oxide and transitional composites were soft while the fresh composite was moderately hard in comparison to typical Yilgarn ores.
All of the samples tested produced low abrasion index numbers.
A process design criteria report was also completed to provide Blackham with a block flow process diagram and major equipment list for a standalone gold plant at Matilda.
The report is also a pre-cursor and major information reference point for the consideration and evaluation of any second-hand equipment procurement, toll treatment or other plant purchase options that Blackham may be considering.
Additional metallurgical work will be done in conjunction with the 30,000 metre drilling program currently underway at the Matilda Project.
No comments:
Post a Comment