Alma Metals (ASX:ALM) has received preliminary froth flotation testwork results which the company says forms a robust base case for a Scoping Study at the Briggs Copper Project in Queensland.
The testwork results highlight recovery of copper, up to 90%, into a 25% copper concentrate at coarse to very coarse primary grind sizes between 150µm to 212µm.
Alma Metals adds that molybdenum was also recovered into the copper concentrate, achieving up to 75% recovery and a concentrate grade of up to 3,200 parts per million (ppm) molybdenum.
The company says the testwork indicates that flotation kinetics are rapid and reagent consumption is generally low to very low.
Further, the comminution testwork indicates the mineralisation is competent, hard, moderately abrasive and well within industry standards.
Managing Director Frazer Tabeart says the results show the “excellent” metallurgical properties of the copper and molybdenum mineralisation, delivering high metal recoveries into attractive concentrates at coarse primary grind sizes with low power consumption.
“With further optimisation potential, these numbers set a very robust case for use in our Scoping Study,” Tabeart says.
“Looking ahead, Alma is focused on completing an update to the mineral resource estimate, which along with this metallurgical testwork, will provide important inputs into the Scoping Study, due for completion in mid-2025.”
The latest results will be used in the Scoping Study to evaluate the economics of mining at Briggs. Meanwhile, the updated resource estimate is expected to be released in the current quarter.
The Briggs Copper Project, covering 245km2, has a current resource of 415 million tonnes @ 0.25% copper and 31ppm molybdenum at a 0.2% cut-off grade.
Alma Metals is a junior mineral explorer focused primarily on the development of the Briggs Project which is located near Gladstone, Queensland.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Alma Metals
