Newcore Gold Ltd. (TSXV: NCAU) has obtained positive results from three additional column tests completed as part of the ongoing metallurgical programme at the company’s 100%-owned Enchi Gold Project in Ghana.
An average gold recovery of 92.4% was achieved from column testwork completed on two composite samples from the Sewum Gold Deposit and one composite sample from the Boin Gold Deposit.
Highlights from Column Test Results
- Three Column Tests Completed, Average Gold Recovery of 92.4% Achieved.
- A total of three column tests (two from Sewum and one from Boin) returned an average gold recovery of 92.4%, with a recovery range of 89.0% to 98.6%.
- Testwork Further Advances the Understanding of Processing Options for Enchi.
- Testing completed on representative samples from diamond drill core.
- Coarser samples used better represent modelled crush size for heap leach processing.
- Larger sized samples used in the columns with each sample weighing 30 kg.
- Low Reagent Consumption.
- Coarser grind size compared to prior testing contributed to lower consumption for cyanide as well as lower required amounts of lime and cement per kilogram.
- All samples showed modest cyanide consumption with an average of 0.63 kilograms per tonne (“kg/t”), with a 1.4 kg/t lime (hydrated) addition to maintain a pH above 10.5.
Additional Metallurgical Testwork Planned.
- Optimisation work to be completed on additional column tests.
- Further planned metallurgical work to consist of a bench-scale test to be completed in the field on the Project.
- Testing of sulphide mineralization to be completed in 2023.
“This additional set of column tests completed on diamond drill core material from the Enchi Gold Project returned consistent results with high recoveries for all three composite samples, highlighting the amenability of Enchi to heap leach gold recovery,” Greg Smith, VP Exploration of Newcore, said.
“These samples are representative of the oxide and transitional material from the two largest deposits, Sewum and Boin, which together currently comprise approximately 87% of the Enchi Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate.
“Of note these samples were much coarser than material used for previous testwork and were more in line with the parameters of the Preliminary Economic Assessment completed in 2021.
“The coarser material resulted in a series of positive benefits including continued excellent recoveries, lower required reagent levels for lime and cement and lower cyanide consumption and slumping.”
Metallurgical Testing Summary
A total of three composite samples, two from Sewum and one from Boin, were submitted for column testwork to the Intertek Lab located in Tarkwa, Ghana, approximately four hours by paved road from the Enchi Gold Project. Material for the metallurgical samples consisted of half diamond drill core from holes drilled specifically to collect material for metallurgical sampling. The samples were selected to represent the two largest deposits on the Project, Sewum and Boin, and consisted of blended oxide and transitional material. For each deposit, individual samples included a range of gold grades and weathering intensities.
Composite KBDD077 was prepared using 15 samples from diamond drill hole KBDD077 drilled at Boin with a total weight of 41.6 kgs. Composite SWDD084A was prepared using 18 samples from diamond drill hole SWDD084 drilled at Sewum with a total weight of 42.5 kgs. SWDD084B was prepared using 16 samples from a second mineralised interval in diamond drill hole SWDD084 with a total weight of 38.6 kgs.
Recovery for the three samples averaged 92.4 %, with a range of 89.0% to 98.6%.
For further information please visit: https://newcoregold.us
