Nelson Resources (ASX:NES) has lodged a notice of intent (NOI) to collect an initial bulk sample of up to 1,000 short tons (around 910 tonnes) from the historic Orleans mine within the Gold Point Project in Nevada, US.
The sample will be used for metallurgical characterisation to generate bulk-scale data, while also complementing laboratory test work being conducted at Kappes, Cassiday & Associates’ headquarters in Reno.
The objective of the metallurgical test work campaign is to evaluate process response, quantify gold and silver recoveries across remnant grade profiles, and compare higher- and lower-grade remnant material under controlled conditions.
Non-executive Chairman Gernot Abl says with the evaluation of the Orleans remnant material ongoing, a bulk sampling program is the “logical next step”.
“By generating detailed metallurgical data under controlled conditions, we will define an optimal process flowsheet, quantify gold and silver recoveries across the range of grade profiles, and better understand the characteristics of higher-grade versus lower-grade material,” Abl says.
“Having recently visited Gold Point with Matt Dumala and reviewed underground conditions with the Nevada Rand team, we see this work as essential technical input to any future evaluation of the system.”
Nelson is currently awaiting approval for the NOI. By collecting a sample of up to 1,000 short tons, the material will remain within the Bureau of Land Management notice-level threshold.
If Nelson collects a larger sample, it will require a plan of operations, which the company is currently preparing.
The company will not begin extraction until the NOI is approved. A third-party mill will not begin processing until a facility and campaign window is confirmed.
Nelson Resources is a gold explorer focused on advancing its portfolio of assets in Nevada and Western Australia.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
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