OzAurum Resources Ltd (ASX:OZM) has delivered encouraging metallurgical results including high gold recovery rates of up to 89% from sighter heap leach tests undertaken at the Mulgabbie North Gold Project in Western Australia
The recoveries were observed on a transition sample via an intermittent bottle roll (IBR) test conducted by ALS Metallurgy in Perth, which includes:
- James Transition IBR result - 6mm conventional crush size with 88.9% recovered gold; and
- James Transition IBR result – 12.5mm conventional crush size with 87.5% recovered gold.
“Tremendous confidence”
OzAurum CEO and managing director Andrew Pumphrey said: “The excellent results from our sighter IBR test work at Mulgabbie North gives us tremendous confidence in the project moving forward and a potential standalone heap leach treatment/development pathway.
“We are eagerly awaiting the results from the next batch of IBR test work currently being undertaken and look forward to updating the market with further results.”
Test work summary
IBR tests were conducted over a 240-hour period with strong rapid gold recoveries achieved in the first 48 hours.
Samples were prepared via a conventional crushing method which is easily achievable in a scaled-up heap leach operation, using a readily available portable crushing plant.
The results of this test work are in line with the company's understanding of the Mulgabbie North Project, including consistent assay repeatability of twinned drill holes and the fine-grain gold nature of mineralisation.
This is supported by the petrology and mineralogical work done to date illustrating the fine free gold in the polished section, as well as other metallurgical test work undertaken on the project.
Forward plan
OzAurum will restart diamond drilling at the Mulgabbie North in mid-February 2023.
Mulgabbie North's maiden mineral resource estimate has been deferred to the June quarter due to remodelling required considering potential heap leach treatment/development options.
Heap leach test work is ongoing with the next results of this program expected to be reported in the next month.
Mulgabbie North Relief Shear continues to demonstrate its potential to host significant gold mineralisation directly adjacent to Northern Star’s Carosue Dam mill.
What’s more, diamond drill holes will be drilled to recover oxide, transition and fresh samples that can be used for this test work.
About Mulgabbie North
Mulgabbie North Gold Project covers 10 kilometres of greenstone belt geology in one of the richest and most prolific gold-producing belts in Australia.
OzAurum is exploring 8 kilometres of strike along the relief shear adjacent to Northern Star’s Carosue Dam Mine and the adjoining 3.5 million ounces NST Karari and Whirling Dervish gold mines.
The project is previously underexplored with limited drilling despite significant gold endowment in the belt. Gold mineralisation is open at depth and along strike.
Therefore, Mulgabbie North has all the hallmarks indicating the potential for significant gold discovery.