About the same time, a study to assess the effect of vein-related mineralization will be nearing completion, along with a preliminary assessment of bulk mining and milling of the total oxide and sulphide reserves.
The feasibility study is examining the viability of combining selective open pit mining and milling of the higher grade vein-related mineralization with a parallel heap leaching operation in order to improve overall project economics.
At last report, vein (oxide and sulphide) mineralization was estimated at 2.5 million tons grading 0.097 oz gold per ton, while oxide heap leach reserves were 7.9 million tons grading 0.029 oz.
Final column leach tests on the Crone Hill and Quartz Butte oxide mineralization were recently reviewed by Davy McKee Corp. The tests were run under standard conditions using 15 lb cement and 15 lb lime per ton to agglomerate. Leach cycle times averaged 60-80 days with cyanide consumption averaging less than 1.5 lb/ton with a weighted average recovery of 70%.
Gold recoveries in Crone Hill sulphide concentrates are reported to have exceeded 70% in preliminary flotation tests, however, work is continuing to optimize flotation techniqes.
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