METALLURGICAL TESTING SHOWS HIGH COPPER RECOVERIES AT THE MCB PROJECT
HIGHLIGHTS
- Metallurgical test work completed by Brisbane Met Labs on the various ore types for the first five (5) years of mine life demonstrated that results are consistent and readily achievable in terms of grade, recovery and impurity levels, and are consistent with those achieved from the previous test work program.
- The calculated combined weighted average recoveries over the first ten (10) years of mine life indicate that average copper recoveries of 95% and gold recoveries of 77% are achievable at MCB.
- These copper and gold recoveries are based on a conventional flotation circuit to produce a saleable copper-gold concentrate.
- The combined weighted average copper-gold concentrate grade over the first ten (10) years of mine life is estimated to be a high-quality concentrate averaging 25.5% Cu, 5.5 g/t Au, with very low impurities.
Celsius Resources Limited (“Celsius” or the “Company”) (ASX, AIM:CLA) is pleased to announce that its Philippine affiliate, Makilala Mining Company, Inc. (“MMCI”), has received further excellent results from metallurgical test work covering the first five (5) years of mine life of the Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog Copper-Gold (“MCB”) Project. These results form part of the ongoing work supporting the update of the previous Feasibility Study and the completion of Front-End Engineering (“FEED”) in accordance with the requirements under the JORC Code.
Technical Director Peter Hume said:
“The conformity test results achieved are a strong outcome and further underpin the updated study and FEED economics for the initial ten years of mine life. The results confirm the homogenous nature of the high-grade ore body and support consistent ore processing performance through the first decade of the mines operations.”
RECENT METTALURGICAL TESTWORK
As part of the recent drilling program, core samples were taken for metallurgical test work from drill hole MTPH-001 based on the geological assessment of the main defined copper mineralisation types at MCB, specifically from material expected to be mined during the first five years of the mine life.
Samples were taken for a combination of comminution tests and flotation recovery test work, covering the range of mineralisation types and copper grade ranges. The test work was conducted by Brisbane Met Labs in their Brisbane laboratory.
The metallurgical test work program was designed to reconfirm the flowsheet used in the previous Feasibility Study2 and to address the first five years of the mine life in accordance with the requirements of the JORC Code, while also reconfirming the production of a saleable copper–gold concentrate from MCB early in the mine life.
These results are being included in the updated Feasibility study, which will see an updated Mineral Resource Estimate, Mining Reserve and Feasibility Study report delivered by early December.
SUMMARY RESULTS
Results from the recent metallurgical test work program covering the mine life from years 1–5 have shown that copper recoveries of approximately 98% and gold recoveries of around 83% were achieved in rougher flotation tests, optimized at a grind size of 150 micron. Cleaner flotation tests following regrinding to 38 micron produced a concentrate with an average grade of 25% copper and 5 g/t gold.
Reagent optimization tests using DSP009 showed potential improvement in gold recovery compared to PAX. Regrind P80 sensitivity tests indicated optimal recovery at 30–38 micron. Final weighted average recoveries after cleaner flotation were estimated at 95% for copper and 75% for gold.
Importantly, when the above recent results are combined with recoveries from the September 20213 test program (which covered years 6-10 of the mine life), the integrated average recoveries over the first decade of production are approximately 95% for copper and 77% for gold. This confirms that a conventional copper flotation plant can consistently produce a high-quality copper–gold concentrate with an average grade of 25.5% copper, 5.5 g/t gold, and very low deleterious elements—supporting robust economics over the first 10 years of operations.
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