Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX:AZ9) has reported excellent metallurgical results from its flagship Oval copper-nickel-platinum group elements (PGE) discovery in Mongolia, confirming high copper recoveries and a simple processing pathway that supports the project’s development potential.
Test work at ALS Metallurgy in Perth validated a two-product flotation flowsheet, with variability tests showing payable copper recoveries of between 89% and 95%. The program has already produced separate copper and nickel concentrates using differential flotation, reinforcing Oval’s potential to deliver a clean, marketable copper concentrate.
Managing director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren said the results underpin confidence in Oval’s future.
“These early results are highly encouraging, confirming that copper from Oval can be recovered at very high levels using a simple flotation process,” Zunduisuren said.
“This gives us confidence that Oval can generate a clean, marketable copper concentrate,” he added. “Nickel and by-product recovery optimisation is already showing improvements, and we look forward to further refinements as the test work progresses.”
Location plan map of drillholes and metallurgical sampling location.
Interim test work results
The latest batch of rougher and cleaner tests drew on 112 kilograms of samples from drillhole OVD0211, representing disseminated, net-textured and massive sulphide mineralisation.
- In disseminated samples, copper concentrate returned 18.2% Cu at 89.3% recovery.
- In net-textured samples, copper concentrate achieved 24.5% Cu at 94.9% recovery.
- Nickel grades were reasonable across composites, with recovery improvements already seen through reagent optimisation and flotation duration adjustments.
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Latest Oval Cu-Ni-PGE Project Result
Further work, including mineralogical studies on the three composites, is expected to assist in upgrading nickel recoveries, with additional results due in Q4 2025.
Read more: Drilling to test high-priority conductors at Asian Battery Metals’ Oval Cu-Ni-PGE discovery
Broader exploration strategy
The Oval discovery is part of Asian Battery Metals’ Yambat Project in southwestern Mongolia, where 2025 Phase 3 drilling has intersected broad zones of disseminated and massive sulphides. Current work is targeting step-outs at Oval alongside scout drilling at MS1, MS2 and Quartz Hill.
Asian Battery Metals is also expanding its regional footprint, with new ground positions at Bayan Sair and Maikhan Uul adding scale to its district-wide exploration model. Due diligence continues on the Maikhan Uul Cu-Au VMS project, while new geophysical surveys — including MLEM at Copper Ridge and FLEM at Bayan Sair — are under way to refine targets.
Project Locations in Mongolia.
Next steps
Upcoming milestones for Asian Battery Metals include:
- Completion of mineralogical studies to inform further metallurgical optimisation;
- Release of pending assay results from Oval drilling within the next two to three weeks; and
- Ongoing interpretation of electromagnetic survey data to extend known mineralisation.
Asian Battery Metals says these developments collectively confirm Oval’s credentials as a significant emerging Cu-Ni-PGE discovery within one of Asia’s most prospective copper-nickel belts.