Asiamet Resources Ltd (LON:ARS) has released the results of recent metallurgical testwork related to its BKM copper project in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Results from the work completed to date “are highly promising”, according to the company, and indicate significant potential benefits from a concentrate tank leach process flowsheet verses heap leach processing.
The use of a concentrate tank leach process has potential to increase total copper recoveries by up to 40%, and to help maintain copper production at full capacity of 25,000 tonnes per year for a full eight years, exclusive of any further exploration and resource conversion.
Accordingly, it would further enhance the current robust project economics.
“Asiamet is very pleased with the outcomes of the metallurgical value enhancement work completed to date,” said Asiamet’s executive chairman Tony Manini.
“While we still have further work to do to refine the process flowsheet and fully assess the capital and operating costs, the opportunity to recover significantly more copper, faster from the same volume of material clearly has the potential to significantly improve the already strong project economics. Cashflows come earlier and faster, production is maintained at full capacity for longer and more copper is produced over the life of mine. These benefits together with a reduced environmental footprint would all serve to enhance the robustness of the project as we enter the final stages of permitting and commence the process of engaging debt and equity providers for project financing.”