O3 Mining Inc. reported the results of gold recovery test work conducted on drill core samples from its Marban Project located in Val-d’Or, Québec, Canada. The results were produced from the recent metallurgical testing program completed by Base Metallurgical Laboratories in Kamloops, British Columbia, under the overall supervision of Ausenco Engineering Canada Inc. O3 has appointed Ausenco to lead the prefeasibility study (PFS) for the Marban project, which it hopes to have completed by the third quarter of 2022.
The cyanidation test work indicated an overall gold extraction at the Marban Pit South of 96.7%; Marban Pit North of 95.8%; Norlartic Pit of 91.2%; versus the preliminary economic assessment’s (PEA) overall gold extraction of 93.7%.
“We are very pleased the test work has confirmed excellent gold recoveries at the Marban project,” O3 Mining President and CEO Jose Vizquerra said. “The test work supports and improves PEA assumptions of quick leach times, strong recoveries, and a simple flowsheet comparable to peers in the region. These results provide an excellent foundation for the project and represent a significant milestone for the company as the Marban project moves toward the completion of the PFS. Additional metallurgical work is planned that will feed into in the final stages of the economic study.”
The metallurgical gold recovery test-work was conducted to assess the potential gold recoveries and optimum process flow sheet for the Marban Project. Testing started in late 2021 on composite and variability samples from the Marban and Norlartic pits and variability samples from North Zone, Norlartic-Kierens and Golden Bridge. The program included comminution testing, grind optimization, gravity concentration and leach testing. Cyanide destruction and solid liquid separation testing are still ongoing and will be completed in the first quarter of 2022.