Sunshine Gold Limited (ASX:SHN) has received “excellent” results from preliminary metallurgical test work from Titov Cu-Au-Ag-Mo target, Ravenswood West, in Queensland, Australia.
Test work was conducted on a single composite sample sourced from two completed RC holes (21TVRC001 and 21TVRC004). Optimum settings resulted in a peak molybdenum recovery of 91.7% and a copper recovery of 76.5%. Preliminary cleaner flotation test work further reduced the mass pull and returned concentrate grades to 56.8% Mo.
“Preliminary metallurgical test work demonstrates excellent recoveries of molybdenum and copper,” Managing Director, Damien Keys, said.
“The success of this work also allows us to simplify the communication of drilling results to investors. Accordingly, future results will be released on a copper equivalent basis.
“Due to the similarities in mineralisation style, assay results from the Keans Cu-Au-Ag-Mo target (15km south of Titov) will also be released on a copper equivalent basis. The Keans RC drilling completed in October 2021 was extremely encouraging and follow up work is planned for the broader area.
“The emergence of high-grade footwall and hanging wall mineralisation on the eastern end of Titov Main, in conjunction with the strengthening IP anomalism, bodes well for next drilling due to commence in May 2022.
“The drilling will focus on extensions to the Titov Main system and first tests of Titov South and Titov North. Geophysical crews are due to recommence work on Gagarin and Wilbur’s Hill in coming weeks as we look to confirm drill ready targets.”
First Stage Programme
A single composite sample was sourced from RC drilling completed at Titov.
The study, completed by ALS, sought to determine copper, gold, silver and molybdenum recoveries via rougher flotation. Optical mineralogy results indicated that molybdenite and chalcopyrite are very well liberated in all fractions.
Four rougher tests were conducted to understand recoveries, using different grind and reagent settings and introducing pre-floats. The sample submitted contained a low gold content. Effective gold recoveries will be determined from samples taken from the areas of Titov with higher gold grades such as expected in the Eastern zones.
The optimal test of the six conducted saw feed pass through a pre-float cell to produce a concentrate, with the remaining feed passing to a series of three rougher floatation cells. The process essentially forms two separate concentrates. A low mass pull in the pre-float (6.4%) recovers 85% of the molybdenum and 47.2% of the total copper. The remaining feed passes through a series of three rougher cells where a further 6.7% of the molybdenum and 28.5% of the copper is extracted, resulting in total recoveries of 91.7% for Mo and 76.5% for Cu. The process extracts 66.3% of the silver.
Preliminary test work utilising cleaner flotation (optimised for molybdenum concentrate grade) lowered the mass pull to 0.6% and produced final concentrates grading up to 56.8% Mo. It is anticipated that similar test work optimised for both copper and molybdenum will improve the grade of copper concentrates.
Further metallurgical studies will be completed as drilling progresses through targets along the 15km long Cu-Au-Ag- Mo corridor.
Titov Drilling
Sunshine Gold drilled 8 RC holes at Titov in September 2021. The holes contained disseminated Mo, Cu and Ag. A composite sample was collected for metallurgical test work from the mineralised portions of 21TVRC001 and 21TVRC004. Sunshine Gold diamond core hole 21TVDD001 was completed at 501.5m depth in December 2021. The hole was collared 430m SSE of the outcropping mineralisation at Titov Main and identified additional Cu-bearing zones in the upper levels (Titov South) which contain elevated Mo, Ag and, notably, Au.
Titov Main is now defined over 350m of strike, to depths of 350m and at an average true thickness of 65m.
For further information please visit: https://shngold.com.au
