Maximus Resources Ltd (ASX:MXR, OTC:MXRRF) has fielded promising results from preliminary metallurgical test work at its Hilditch Gold Project, 25 kilometres from Kambalda, Western Australia.
Amenable to extraction method
The tests confirmed that the 19,500-ounce Hilditch gold resource is free-milling and amenable to conventional cyanide extraction methods.
Initial metallurgical test work conducted on ore-grade intervals from the Hilditch open-pit resource showed average gold recovery rates between 91.4% and 95.8% via accelerated cyanide leach analysis.
This testing encompassed representative oxide, transitional and fresh mineable ore-grade intervals to evaluate recovery rates in standard carbon-in-leach (CIL) gold processing circuits.
Hilditch is on granted mining tenements M15/1448, with ready access to infrastructure, service providers and several toll-treating options within a 60-kilometre radius.
A Flora and Fauna Survey has been completed in preparation for the submission of a mining proposal application following an upcoming resource and extension drill program at Hilditch.
Seven composite samples were selected from reverse circulation drill intersections within the 19,500-ounce, 1.3 g/t Hilditch open-pit resource for metallurgical testing.
These samples covered a range of gold grades and stages of weathering and oxidation, ensuring adequate spatial representation.
Gold mineralisation at Hilditch is associated with east-dipping structurally controlled contacts between mafic/ultramafic and volcaniclastic units, similar to the geological setting at the company’s Wattle Dam Gold Project.
The initial test work, completed by Intertek Minerals in Perth, Western Australia, analysed the gold extractable by cyanide and estimated potential recovery rates in conventional CIL gold processing.
Drill program on horizon
Maximus Resources plans to advance with a drill program aimed at infill and resource extension to upgrade material into the higher confidence JORC-compliant indicated category.
This phase will include additional metallurgical testing to determine gravity recoveries, grind size and reagent consumption of the Hilditch mineralisation.
Following these drill results, the company will consider the commencement of a development study and submission of a Mining Proposal.
The infill drill program at Hilditch is proposed to begin in July 2024.
Near-term opportunity
Maximus managing director Tim Wither said: “A key aspect of understanding any mineral resource potential is to test early for metallurgical performance.
“These preliminary tests with initial results demonstrate that Hilditch’s gold mineralisation is free milling (non-refractory) and very amenable to conventional CIL gold processing found throughout Western Australia’s Eastern Goldfields.
“Hilditch represents a potential near-term gold production opportunity for Maximus, located on a granted mining tenement next to the Coolgardie-Esperance Highway, and within a short trucking distance to several regional gold processing plants.
“The immediate steps for Hilditch will be to complete another round of drilling to bring more of the resource into the higher confidence JORC indicated category whilst completing representative holes for additional metallurgical testing to determine gravity recoveries, grind size and reagent consumption for optimal gold recovery.”
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