Flynn Gold (ASX:FG1) has achieved average gold extraction of 94% from low to medium-grade samples at its Golden Ridge Gold Project in northeastern Tasmania.
The sighter metallurgical program tested 35 samples grading between 0.1 and 4.5 grams per tonne gold (Au) from the Trafalgar prospect, including 28 samples below 1g/t Au.
The samples came from broad zones of lower-grade mineralisation outside the higher-grade vein domains used for the company’s 2024 Trafalgar exploration target.
Individual extraction rates ranged from 88% to 97% using the LeachWELL™ cyanide leaching method. Flynn says the results indicate that a high proportion of the gold in the samples is cyanide extractable, supporting further evaluation of conventional leaching and potential bulk-mining scenarios.
However, Flynn notes LeachWELL™ testing uses more intensive conditions than conventional carbon-in-pulp or carbon-in-leach processing. The samples were also tested at a fine grind size, meaning further work is required to determine potential recoveries under commercial processing conditions.
The 94% average compares with extraction rates of 94.5% from previous Trafalgar test work and 94.9% from six samples at the nearby Grenadier prospect.
CEO Neil Marston says the company is scoping a broader metallurgical program using fresh drill core.
“A more comprehensive round of metallurgical test work is now being scoped out which will, amongst other things, aim to establish whether simple methods can be used to beneficiate run-of-mine material into a high-grade ore or concentrate,” Marston says.
The company also says the work will assess whether material could be supplied to Kaiser Reef’s (ASX:KAU) Henty Gold Mine or other buyers. Flynn recently signed a non-binding ore purchase agreement with Henty.
Meanwhile, drilling has begun at the Brilliant prospect, where up to 21 holes for 2,500m have received regulatory approval.
Flynn Gold is exploring the 167km² Golden Ridge Project, where it has identified intrusion-related gold mineralisation across a 9km corridor.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
Images: Mining.com.au
