Alkane Resources Ltd (ASX:ALK, OTC:ALKEF) has established a viable flowsheet for the processing of ore from the Boda and Kaiser gold-copper prospects within its North Molong Porphyry Project (NMPP) in Central New South Wales.
Metallurgical test-work comprising conventional crushing, grinding and flotation circuits achieved overall recovery of 87.4% of copper and 80.9% of gold for Boda and 79.6% of copper and 70.7% of gold for Kaiser.
Significantly for Boda, the recovery indicates that the concentrates produced were of a saleable quality.
The test results and the process design criteria will be incorporated into a scoping study to be completed in the second quarter of next year.
NMPP conceptual flowsheet.
Testing samples
A selection of 21 core samples - 11 from Boda and 10 from Kaiser - weighing 2,849 kilograms were sampled.
The tests were developed and supervised by consultants Scott Dalley Franks and performed principally at Auralia Metallurgy in Western Australia with some specialist work performed by others.
The NMPP deposits extend over three kilometres from Kaiser through Boda to Boda 2-3.
Alkane believes the Boda-Kaiser system could become a large, tier-one gold-copper project as it is nearby the Tomingley Gold Mine that the company operates.
Concentrate collection during flotation test-work.
Exceeding expectations
“The metallurgical test-work program has been underway for many months with the overall goal of identifying the optimal means of processing ore from the Boda and Kaiser prospects and subsequent establishment of the most viable flowsheet,” Alkane managing director Nic Earner said.
“The results announced today clearly meet this goal, with our initial recovery expectations exceeded.
“The high recoveries from the Boda ore are particularly pleasing as the concentrates produced were of a saleable quality with very low impurities, which is another box ticked.
“Indeed, we consider that the concentrate from this project would be in high demand, consistent with other producers in the district.
“The results of this test-work campaign and the process design criteria generated have been supplied to an engineering firm for a scoping level estimate of plant design and associated cost.
“Processing scenarios are expected to include 10 and 20 million tonnes per annum feed rates.
“We look forward to communicating these results next year.”
More tests
Alkane will conduct further tests, in particular comminution and flotation, for a more accurate geo-metallurgical model.
These will confirm the criteria to be used for plant design and provide metallurgical algorithms for further open pit optimisation studies.
Additionally, they will assist to establish if a small flotation pilot plant is necessary to confirm the flotation results and provide sufficient mass of cleaner tailings for subsequent detailed leach tests.
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