Silver47 Exploration (TSX-V:AGA) has begun metallurgical testwork to evaluate the feasibility of reprocessing the historical Belmont tailings deposit located within the Hughes Project in Nevada, US.
The deposit is a potential source of contained silver that has never been systematically evaluated with modern recovery methods and that may now be economic at current silver prices.
Laboratory work will include agitated cyanide leach tests at current size and re-grinding to two smaller grind sizes with kinetic sampling, and carbon-in-leach testing at the optimal grind to evaluate recovery, carbon loading and process efficiency building on confirmatory testwork.
Silver47 says the testwork will deliver key data on recovery rates and process parameters, enabling a comprehensive evaluation of technical and economic feasibility for reprocessing the tailings into potential low-cost silver production. The results are expected to guide next steps including pilot-scale considerations.
CEO Galen McNamara says the emerging new silver price environment has changed the economics of historical tailings like those at Belmont.
“Today, this fully owned, private-land asset presents a compelling opportunity to utilize modern techniques-with minimal new surface disturbance and the added benefit of rehabilitating a legacy site that could serve as a model for similar projects throughout the west,” McNamara says.
“This work will provide the data needed to assess its real potential.”
Executive Chairman Gary Thompson says this Tonopah tailings silver-gold recovery project is a short-term value add opportunity.
“This is a tremendously exciting time for the company with aggressive exploration programs planned on our core assets and with the additional tailings work ongoing, we expect this to be a transformative year ahead,” Thompson says.
The tailings consist of fine-grained material at surface and hosts an inferred resource of 1.8 million ounces and 11,000 ounces of gold within 1.26 million tonnes.
Silver climbed past US$78.5 an ounce on 19 February, extending its advance as investors reassessed the US policy outlook and navigated a backdrop of resilient economic data and intensifying geopolitical risks.
The precious metal’s price is up 135.39% compared to the same time last year.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Silver47 Exploration
