Rapid Critical Metals (ASX:RCM) reports silver recoveries of up to 98.7% from initial flotation test work at its Webbs and Webbs Consol Silver projects in New South Wales.
According to the company, the program was designed to assess the metallurgical response of the mineralisation and to establish primary recovery and concentrate-grade parameters for silver, lead, zinc, and associated metals.
Rapid conducted six rougher flotation tests on three master composites at primary grind sizes of 125 microns and 250 microns.
The test work also delivered lead recoveries of 97–99% across all three composites, alongside zinc recoveries of up to 93.3% from the Consol Master composite at the finer 125-micron grind.
Silver-rich concentrates graded up to 2,051 grams per tonne silver (Ag) from the Consol Fines composite.
The Webbs Master composite assayed 134g/t Ag, 0.65% lead (Pb), and 1.31% zinc (Zn), while the Consol Master composite assayed 670g/t Ag, 14% Pb, and 16% Zn.
Managing Director Byron Miles says this is a significant milestone for Rapid because “metallurgy is one of the most important technical risks in developing any mining project”.
“These outstanding flotation results demonstrate that the silver, lead, and zinc mineralisation at Webbs and Consol responds exceptionally well to conventional processing.”
Rapid reveals that across the program, finer grinding at 125 microns consistently improved silver and zinc recovery compared to 250 microns, indicating liberation is a key performance driver of metallurgical performance.
The company now plans to undertake cleaner flotation test work to define saleable concentrate grades and recoveries, as well as optimise grind sizes and reagent schemes.
Results will be integrated into ongoing flowsheet development and study work.
Rapid Critical Metals is an explorer focused on the discovery and development of silver and critical mineral assets, with projects in New South Wales and Canada.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Rapid Critical Metals
