Lahontan Gold Corp (TSXV: LG | OTCQB: LGCXF) has announced the results of a metallurgical data review for its flagship Santa Fe Mine project in Nevada, USA. The data review was completed by Kappes, Cassiday and Associates (KCA) of Reno, Nevada, a global leader in metallurgical and process consulting.
KCA reviewed metallurgical test work on oxide gold and silver mineralization completed by previous operators of the mine as well as production data. Gold and silver recovery estimates were primarily based upon prior metallurgical test work for the mine.
When recovery estimates of the individual deposits are applied to the mineral resource estimate (MRE) shown in the technical report, it results in weighted project-wide gold recoveries of 74.4% gold and 29.0% silver at a ½-inch crush size from oxide mineralization.
Operational data review indicates a total crushed oxide mineralization recovery of 65.5% over the life of the mine from 1988 to 1995. However, crush size seemed to vary throughout the life of the operation. Consistent crushing at ½-inch should improve precious metal recoveries.
KCA believes that there is sufficient data available to establish recovery ranges of oxide gold and silver mineralization for inclusion in a preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
“The conclusion by KCA that the existing Santa Fe metallurgical data is sufficient in quantity and detail to use for our planned PEA this year greatly benefits the company and will help streamline the PEA process,” commented Lahontan CEO Kimberly Ann. “The high heap leach oxide gold and silver recoveries estimated by KCA project-wide underscore the economic potential of restarting mining operations at Santa Fe.”
Lahontan Gold Corp is a fully financed Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of Nevada. Lahontan’s Santa Fe Mine had past production of 345Koz of gold and 711Koz of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines using heap-leach processing.
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