GoviEx Uranium Inc (TSX-V:GXU, OTCQX:GVXXF) announced promising uranium recovery results from its Muntanga project in Zambia, following an extensive metallurgical test work program completed in 2024.
The program confirmed recovery rates of 90% or better for the main deposits of Muntanga and Dibbwi East.
According to GoviEx, test work validated previous findings and reinforced the efficiency of the heap leach process.
The company is expecting to complete a feasibility study on the project by the end of the year.
The test results showed impressive uranium extraction rates across the Muntanga project's key prospects. The Muntanga deposit achieved a uranium extraction rate of 93.0% with an acid consumption of 4.98 kg/t, while the Dibbwi East oxide deposit recorded a 91.3% recovery with an acid consumption of 6.46 kg/t. The primary mineralization at Dibbwi East yielded an 89.7% uranium recovery, though with a higher acid consumption of 20.97 kg/t.
The Dibbwi deposit itself recorded a 92.2% recovery with an acid consumption of 13.93 kg/t. Njame matched Muntanga's recovery rate at 93.0%, with an acid consumption of 4.98 kg/t, and Gwabi reported a lower uranium recovery at 73.1%, accompanied by an acid consumption of 11.82 kg/t. These results further validate the feasibility of GoviEx's uranium recovery strategy.
In a statement, GoviEx highlighted the success of the metallurgical work, which demonstrated that uranium recoveries occurred within just 20 days. The results are particularly significant for the Muntanga and Dibbwi East deposits, which represent 80% of the project’s measured and indicated resources.
The high recovery rates, coupled with low acid consumption, are expected to enhance the project's economic prospects.
“With high uranium recoveries of 90% or better for the Muntanga and Dibbwi East deposits and overall low acid consumption, the data provides further confidence in the project's processing design,” CEO Daniel Major said, “helping to refine key assumptions and parameters for the upcoming Feasibility Study.”
The test work included comminution, agglomeration, and column leaching, along with ion exchange, uranium elution, and precipitation for each of the six mineralization zones within the Muntanga project. It was notably more comprehensive than previous testing conducted by the project’s prior owners.
The success of the tests supports the consideration of smaller, on-off leach pads for the Muntanga project, which could further optimize operations. Additionally, the discovery and expansion of the Dibbwi East deposit between 2021 and 2023, including a 60% increase in contained tons, bolsters the project's resource base and potential.