Fulcrum Metals plc said it was encouraged by strong initial leaching results from phase 1 sampling and testing at the Teck-Hughes gold tailings project in Ontario, Canada.
INNOVATIVE
The programme used Extrakt Processing Solutions LLC’s non-toxic technology.
Sampling was completed across six locations chosen to provide representative sampling across the tailings with 32 samples taken totalling 39kg.
The 32 samples were compiled into six individual site composite samples for testing.
Fulcrum submitted a proportionate mixed composite sample of all six sites grading 0.723g/t gold for batch leach testing.
Preliminary leaching results achieved initial gold recovery rates of up to 59.4%.
The company is optimising operations to reach targeted recovery rates over 60% by focusing on overall efficiency and cost effectiveness.
Chief executive officer Ryan Mee added that the “exceptional” gold grades were 16.9% higher than the historical reported average grade.
“It is important to note that no metallurgical studies have been completed at Teck-Hughes before and that recovery rates from refractory gold without cyanide or pre-treatment are usually below 40%, so to achieve the recovery rates that we have on samples with no pre-treatment or re-grinding is outstanding and hugely encouraging.
“The work undertaken so far provides a compelling pathway to transform mine tailings from an environmental liability into a sustainable resource by extracting metals from mine waste through innovative technology.”
Companies House reported that non-executive chairman Clive Garston is no longer a director of the company and resigned on 3 June 2024.