Copper 360 achieves Cu recovery >90% (on planning of 80%)
Metallurgical test results confirm high copper recovery and concentrate grade from Rietberg copper mine drill core. The test results have exceeded Copper 360’s expectations with the net result being that more copper with less energy (and less concentrate mass per higher copper concentration) will be recovered which will directly impact the bottom line of the new processing plant being built in a very positive way.
Copper 360 contracted SGS Metallurgy and Mineralogy Division, South Africa (“SGS”) to conduct test work on a representative sample of the Rietberg orebody (Project 22/2781).
Preliminary batch test results released by SGS, showed recoveries of >90% at grinding sizes 80% passing 75 micron and 80% passing 45 micron, using SIBX as collector and DOW200 as frother (Figure 1). Comparative test work with the process water from site, using PAX as collector and MIBC as frother, showed a slight improvement in the recovery rate. Variability test work is currently underway at SGS.
SGS prepared two rougher concentrates (Tests 4 and 5) for cleaning test work. During Test 4, a 20 minute residence time was used, resulting in a mass pull of 8.4% and corresponding Cu grade of 22.6%. A 9 minute cleaner test yielded a mass pull of 3.84% (based on feed solids) and a final Cu grade of 48.7%. Test 5 was conducted over a shorter period resulting in a lower mass pull and higher Cu grade of 32.9%. Cleaning of this concentrate yielded a 49.2% Cu content in the concentrate.
