Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM) has elected to commence a scoping study at its Hollandaire prospect following the receipt of very outstanding metallurgical column test-work results.
Executive Director Barry Cahill said the samples tested were of massive and semi-massive sulphides from the known copper mineralisation at the Hollandaire prospect with the company’s Cue Copper Project in Western Australia.
Mr Cahill said the metallurgical column test-work has been undertaken to determine the viability of the company’s unique copper leaching method and has leached copper into solution.
The results included:
- Copper extraction of 91.9% on Column A in only 34 days
- Copper extraction of 91.7% on Column B in only 21 days
“We are exceptionally pleased with the results received to date,” Mr Cahill said.
Our expectation was that our unique leaching process would have the ability to both accelerate the leach time and produce excess acid on the Hollandaire material.
“The rapid leach time of the copper, using our unique leaching processes and parameters, has been astounding and outperformed our expectations.
“The additional benefit of the leach reaction being acid producing is that it will generate surplus acid for use where the mineralised material is acid consuming, thus reducing the operating costs of the process.
“The initial metallurgical results, in conjunction with recent drilling success, has given the company the confidence to bring forward the commencement of a scoping study for the project.
“The study will focus on a heap leach operation designed to treat the Hollandaire copper deposits.
The work to be undertaken will include a mineral resource update, further resource definition and extensional drilling, metallurgical test-work and commercial analysis on the potential for a rapid project start-up.”
Mr Cahill added that a Project Manager has been appointed and has already commenced work on the study.
