Carlyle Commodities Corp (CSE:CCC, OTCQB:CCCFF) announced promising preliminary metallurgical test results from its Newton gold and silver project, showcasing an approximate 80% gold extraction rate.
Metallurgical testing was centered around a master composite, primarily comprising felsic volcanic material sourced from continuous drill core intervals from three drill holes, Carlyle said.
The test program aimed to conceptualize a preliminary process flowsheet for producing gold and silver doré while evaluating the metallurgical performance of the mineralization.
Comprehensive testwork included gravity concentration, Whole-ore-leach (WOL), and flotation at various grind sizes followed by leach of the rougher concentrate and tailings.
During the initial phase of metallurgical testing, conducted at two different particle sizes (75 and 150 microns), the highest recovery of gold was observed when the material was ground to a coarser size. Specifically, approximately 22.8% of the gold present in the samples was recovered at a grade of 211.8 grams per ton (g/t) when ground to the larger particle size of 150 microns.
During the preliminary WOL investigation, conducted at different grind sizes, the best results in terms of gold and silver extraction were achieved with a primary grind size of P80 75 microns, with 73.2% of gold and 43.2% of silver extracted.
However, a follow-up 3-Stage Diagnostic leach test suggested that there might be some gold losses due to the presence of gold being locked within sulphide minerals and gangue (waste material), indicating a need for further investigation or optimization of the extraction process.
A flotation/leach flowsheet was tested to enhance liberation and overall gold extraction. Encouragingly, the flotation results showed 88.5% of gold and 82.6% of silver recovered to a rougher concentrate. Following regrinding and cyanide leach, the overall gold and silver extraction for the master composite stood at 80.3% and 32.7%, respectively.
Carlyle CEO Morgan Good told shareholders that the company is “very encouraged” by the preliminary gold and silver extraction numbers.
“We look forward to optimizing our potential recoveries, testing additional material from different host rocks, and continuing to advance the Newton project in the best interests of all stakeholders,” Good added.