Galileo Mining (ASX:GAL) has returned ‘excellent’ results following first pass metallurgical sighter testwork on a diamond core composite sample taken from its 100% owned Norseman Project in Western Australia.
The company says the results, taken from the project’s Callisto palladium-nickel-copper-platinum-gold-rhodium discovery, demonstrate ‘very high’ recoveries for key metals, including up to 94% copper (Cu) recovery, 82% palladium (Pd) recovery, 77% nickel (Ni) recovery, 79% gold (Au) recovery, 78% platinum (Pt) recovery, and 63% rhodium (Rh) recovery.
Galileo Mining notes that initial results indicate the Callisto mineralisation has potential to be amenable to the production of a single bulk concentrate similar to that produced from operating South African platinum group element (PGE) mines.
Results from physical property testwork demonstrates that disseminated sulphide mineralisation is also moderately hard and within normally acceptable metallurgical parameter ranges.
It is reported ongoing testwork includes mineralogy studies (QEMSCAN and XRD reports) in order to assist in the optimisation of metal recoveries.
Addressing the results, Galileo Mining Managing Director Brad Underwood says: “The initial metallurgical test work from Callisto shows that the disseminated sulphide mineralisation responds very well to sulphide flotation at industry standard conditions.
“These results are highly encouraging as we have a very consistent style of disseminated sulphides at Callisto and we anticipate that the metal recoveries will be similar from other sections of the mineralisation”
These results are highly encouraging as we have a very consistent style of disseminated sulphides at Callisto and we anticipate that the metal recoveries will be similar from other sections of the mineralisation. Variability test work using additional drill holes will be a part of an ongoing metallurgical program along with the optimisation of flotation conditions seeking to further increase metal recovery.
In the meantime, drilling continues at Callisto with a diamond rig and RC rig on site. Our aim is to define the mineralisation at Callisto both for resource estimation and to use the data generated to effectively explore this newly discovered palladium-nickel province.”
The company also notes that optimisation of flotation conditions in future testwork is expected to provide further improvement in results.
With results from first pass metallurgical testwork now received, Galileo Mining announces it is fully funded to continue the resource drill out program, with $20 million in cash as at 31 December 2022.
Galileo Mining is an ASX-listed exploration and development company focused on palladium, nickel, copper, and cobalt resources in Western Australia. The company’s tenements situated near the township of Norseman are considered highly prospective for palladium-copper-nickel sulphide deposits as shown by the Callisto discovery.
Images: Galileo Mining Ltd
