Nyota Minerals (LON:NYO, ASX:NYO) today unveiled more encouraging test results from its flagship Tulu Kapi gold project in Ethiopia.
Test work carried out on samples taken in July reveal they contain gold grades ranging from 8.16 grams per tonne right the way down to 0.14 grams.
The study of 28 samples, which were taken at depths from near surface down to around 400 metres, show an “indication of high free gold content and excellent gravity recovery potential”.
With these characteristics, a combination of gravity and flotation recovery should be able to achieve greater than 95 per cent gold recoveries to a concentrate.
Nyota said the results also indicated the ore is hard and abrasive, “but not to the extent that will pose problems for plant design and operation”.
“The results also demonstrated consistently good gold recoveries and low reagent consumptions,” it added.
Today’s announcement builds on the first test campaign, conducted in January and the scoping study unveiled in May.
Last month the group announced plans to raise £21.6 million to fast track Tuli Kapi, which has a 1.38 million ounce JORC resource.
Some of the funds will be used to carry out a regional exploration programme to discover more economic ore bodies.
They will also enable the company to continue with the four onsite rigs working 24 hour shifts and fast-track engineering, environmental and social studies that are necessary for mining development.
A regional exploration programme is set to commence in October and will include an airborne geophysical survey over the company’s entire claim blocks.
The results of the airborne study will guide Nyota's exploration efforts, which will include drilling.
Nyota's Ethiopian exploration properties are currently made up of seven individual claims blocks, which are showing favourable geological and structural settings and good mineral indications.
The company has reported that there were a number of good gold showings present both in terms of primary and alluvial indications, some of which are associated with base-metal anomalous zones.