Castillo Copper’s (ASX:CCZ) board is reviewing a metallurgical testwork report from special consultant ANSTO on 6 samples from the BHA Project’s East Zone in New South Wales.
ANSTO performed the metallurgical testwork on samples from the Fence Gossan, Reefs, and Tors Tank prospects in the area. Castillo says its board is now reviewing the report and looking into how to improve the results.
The company reports ANSTO’s preliminary findings included total rare earth element plus yttrium (TREY) grades for the 6 samples ranging from 227 parts per million (ppm) TREY to 1,632ppm TREY. Castillo says these findings are consistent with earlier assay results.
Additionally, the tests found that the proportion of ‘high-value’ magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO) to total rare earth oxide (TREO) across the 6 samples ranged from 22% to 27%, which also aligns with earlier calculations.
Castillo’s Board team is now reviewing recommendations put forward by ANSTO, which include assessing a wider variety of samples to validate the leach results across the East Zone, alongside considering additional leach tests, using hydrochloric acid to assess whether increased rare earth element dissolution can be achieved using an alternative lixiviant for an increased leach duration time.
Commenting on the review, Castillo Copper Chairman Ged Hall says: “The board is pleased the work by ANSTO ratified the earlier assay results and high MREO to TREO ratio.
“the board is now reviewing ANSTO’s recommendations on how to improve the metallurgical results from the BHA Project’s East Zone”
However, the board is now reviewing ANSTO’s recommendations on how to improve the metallurgical results from the BHA Project’s East Zone. The board’s focus is now on the Australian copper assets, with critical reports due on Cangai Copper Mine and Big One deposit that could aid materially in securing development partners.”
The company adds its geology team is near completing an update on the 2017 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for Cangai Copper Mine, which will factor in results from drilling campaigns post-2017.
Castillo Copper is an Australia-based explorer primarily focused on copper across Australia and Zambia. The company’s portfolio assets include the NWQ Copper, Cangai Copper Mine, and Broken Hill projects in Australia, as well as 4 ‘highly prospective’ exploration targets in Zambia.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Castillo Copper Ltd
