Pan Global Resources Inc.is pleased to announced successful results for preliminary metallurgical test work from the La Romana copper-tin-silver discovery in the Escacena Project, Spain. The metallurgical test work reported today was completed by Wardell Armstrong International (United Kingdom), under the coordination and management of SCYPI (Spain).
“The high copper recoveries and concentrate grades achieved at this early stage are highly encouraging. It is not just the recoveries and concentrate grade that makes these results very good, it’s the combination along with low deleterious metals and coarse primary grind size, particularly when compared to what we know of the other deposits in the area, and potential for lower final energy consumption. We are looking forward to the results from the ongoing tin metallurgy test program and variability tests on the copper and tin mineralization from different parts of La Romana, including areas of higher grade mineralization,” said Tim Moody, Pan Global’s President & CEO.
The metallurgical testing program was conducted using representative core from the 2022 La Romana drilling campaign to establish copper recoveries and concentrate grades. Whilst the metallurgical test work is ongoing, the results achieved for the first phase of testing demonstrate the potential for a conventional flotation process flowsheet capable of recovering copper into a saleable concentrate.
In its report, SCYPI commented: “As compared to the average of the Pyrite Belt deposits, La Romana mineral has shown lower energy requirements for crushing and grinding and better flotation process performance for copper (both concentrate grade and recoveries) using conventional circuits and chemical agents, anticipating moderate operating costs related to the process.” In addition: “Pending receipt of the detailed analysis of the concentrates, the low grade of deleterious elements (As, Sb, Bi, Hg, Cl and F) together with additional credits from Ag, will contribute to a higher NSR value.”
Tests indicate a potential Bond Ball Mill Work Index of 15.6 kWh/t, Bond Rod Mill Work Index of 13.5 kWh/t, Abrasion Index of 0.088 and Bond Crusher Work Index of 24.25 kWh/t. The size distribution of the chalcopyrite for the representative sample used for these tests shows a grind size P80 in the range of 150μm and liberation analysis indicates 65% of the mineral is well liberated below 106μm. These encouraging results indicate the potential for lower energy requirements which will have a positive impact on future operating costs.
The metallurgical test program was conducted on representative samples involved a series of copper (Cu) rougher and cleaner tests commencing with a head grade of 0.39% Cu, culminating in two locked cycle flotation tests (LCT) designed to assess and replicate, on a bench scale, potential full-scale flotation flow sheet options. LCT1 achieved a 86.4% Cu recovery and copper concentrate grading 28.5%, and LCT2 achieved a higher Cu recovery of 89.5% and a copper concentrate grade of 23.8%.
The test results to date indicate that a simple conventional flotation process flowsheet will be suitable for the La Romana copper mineralization. Follow-on work will include settling/dewatering tests and environmental characterization tests. A tin metallurgy program has also commenced to determine processing and recovery options using representative samples from drill core in the areas of La Romana that reported higher grades of tin. A variability test work program is also planned on samples from various parts of the deposit with varying copper and tin grades, including the higher grade parts of the deposit.
Pan Global believes the results from the metallurgical test work further reinforce the positive attributes of the Escacena Project. Together with the ongoing test work, these results will form the basis for advancing the La Romana discovery towards a resource and future Preliminary Economic Assessment.
Three drill rigs have been operating in 2023 at the Escacena Project. The final hole is in progress on a planned 10-hole infill plus step out drill program at the La Romana discovery. Results for the first three drill holes at the Romana Deep target are expected to be reported shortly and drilling at the Zarcita target is ongoing with additional results are anticipated over the coming weeks.
Pan Global is also pleased to report that discussions are advancing with local land owners on access to potential near surface extensions of the La Romana mineralization along strike to the west and to the east, which remain untested.
Source: junior network mining
