Cobalt Ridge metallurgical tests provide Corazon with exceptional results

Corazon Mining Limited (ASX: CZN) has reported highly positive results from its recently completed Phase 2 metallurgical testwork programme at the Mount Gilmore Cobalt-Copper-Gold Project in New South Wales.

Managing Director Brett Smith said testwork was conducted on a composited sample of drill core from the company’s recently completed drilling programme at the Cobalt Ridge Deposit, and follows the highly successful Phase 1 metallurgical testwork results reported earlier this year.

Mr Smith said Phase 2 testwork targeted lower grade material than that tested in Phase 1 and has delivered exceptional results, with simple flotation processing yielded recoveries of 93.6% cobalt and 98.4% copper. The concentrate mass represented only 5% of the initial mass feed, with the concentrate grading at 2.02% cobalt and 5.18% copper.

Mineralisation tested included what is considered to be the “background” grade for the main lode within the Cobalt Ridge Deposit. The assayed grade of the sample was 0.14% cobalt, 0.32% copper and 0.09ppm gold, providing a variation to the previously tested high-grade mineralisation in the first phase metallurgical testwork.

Cobalt is present as cobaltite, the copper presents as chalcopyrite and the gold is predominantly associated with the sulphide minerals.

“The similar nature of the sulphide minerals, together with the gold association, has provided the opportunity for a very simple beneficiation process and production of a bulk concentrate,” Mr Smith said.

He added that grind liberation testing indicated the mineralisation is not overly sensitive to grind size, allowing a rougher floatation can be conducted at a coarse grind size, with subsequent re-grinding of a lower mass concentrate.

This delivers lower power and regent costs, as well as the option to significantly de-risk and reduce capital costs associated with down-stream processing options.

A rougher floatation test was completed at a coarse grind size of P80 212μm, followed by a regrind of the concentrate and subsequent cleaner flotation. The concentrate produced from the cleaner flotation had grades of 3.27% cobalt and 8.67% copper, with total recoveries of 85.2% for cobalt and 92.7% for copper. It is expected these recoveries can be improved via refining the flotation process.

Mr Smith said on-going testwork for the Cobalt Ridge Deposit will focus on defining the down-stream concentrate processing options and detailed process engineering studies. Results to date suggest excellent potential for the production of a concentrate for hydrometallurgical processing.

The latest drilling programme targeting the Cobalt Ridge prospect was completed in November.