Adyton Resources (TSX-V:ADY, OTCQB:ADYRF) Corp has welcomed the results of preliminary metallurgical test work on samples from its Gameta deposit in Papua New Guinea, which showed high recoveries of gold and silver and potentially low processing costs.
Aussie group Core Metallurgy confirmed that ROM (run of mine) ore samples upgraded well using a limited range of conditions and produced a concentrate assay of 22.3 grams per ton (g/t) gold and 32.9 g/t silver with recoveries of 86.9% gold and 84.6% silver.
"We are pleased with the outcomes of this preliminary test work which showed high recoveries of both gold and silver in concentrate which paves the way for a low capital, simple processing flow sheet of crush, grind and float to produce a saleable concentrate for sale to third party processors," said Adyton managing director Tim Crossley.
The results should be considered 'unoptimized' with further test work required to further improve recoveries and grades, noted the company.
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Crossley said that with further optimization the company was confident that "significantly" higher gold concentrate grades "may be achieved".
Three representative 30kg samples were selected representing the three main ore types - silica-rich ore, clay-rich ore, and footwall (quartz vein) mineralisation, while further tests were completed on an additional 22kg of fresh-core samples.
"Results confirmed that flotation is the most suitable commercial method of gold recovery, producing a concentrate for sale to third parties or treated on-site using a suitable oxidative method," said Adyton.
Next steps will focus on pre-feasibility study (PFS) level studies on fresh drill core samples, examining both comminution (crushing and grinding) and flotation to optimise conditions and further improve metallurgical performance, it added.
Last year, the 38 hole diamond drill program at the Gameta project was carried out from March until August and designed to test the continuity of mineralisation and to increase confidence in historical assay results within the inferred resource envelope from drilling conducted in the mid-1990s.
Adyton currently has a portfolio of highly prospective mineral exploration projects in Papua New Guinea where it is hunting for copper and gold. Its projects are on the Pacific Ring of Fire, which hosts several world-class copper and gold deposits. Its current gold resource inventory is over 2 million ounces.
Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com