O3 Mining Inc (TSX-V:OIII, OTCQX:OIIIF) has unveiled positive results from metallurgical testing on its Marban project in Quebec that showed good gold recoveries, better than those assumed in its preliminary economic assessment (PEA).
Overall gold extraction at Marban Pit South was 96.7%, while Marban Pit North saw gold extraction at 95.8% and the Norlartic Pit at 91.2%; versus PEA figures averaging 93.7%.
Enhanced gravity recovery gold testing recovered 61% to 65% of the gold, with 24 hours of leach time versus the 28 hours estimated in the PEA.
READ: O3 Mining outlines next steps for its Marban project in Québec after positive infill drill program
The average bond ball mill work index was 13.2 kilowatt hour per ton (kWh/t), according to a statement from the company.
The results are the fruit of testing that started in late 2021 on composite and variability samples from the Marban and Norlartic pits and variability samples from North Zone, Norlartic-Kierens and Golden Bridge.
O3 Mining CEO Jose Vizquerra told investors that the firm is “very pleased” the test work confirmed excellent gold recoveries at the Marban project.
“Our test work supports and improves PEA assumptions of quick leach times, strong recoveries, and a simple flowsheet comparable to peers in the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region,” Vizquerra said in a statement.
“These results provide an excellent foundation for the project and represent a significant milestone for the company as the Marban project moves towards the completion of the PFS. Additional metallurgical work is planned that will feed into in the final stages of the economic study."
Cyanide destruction and solid liquid separation testing are still ongoing and will be completed in the first quarter of 2022.
O3 Mining also appointed Ausenco to lead the prefeasibility study for the Marban project, which it hopes to have completed by 3Q 2022.
Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com
Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas