African Gold Group, Inc. (TSX-V: AGG) (“
AGG” or
the “
Company”) is pleased to announce final
metallurgical test results from its comprehensive sulphide testwork
programme. Results of the testwork programme will be incorporated
into an updated definitive feasibility study (DFS). The final phase
of the testwork programme was to undertake variability testing to
determine the optimal process route of the ore across the extent of
the ore body. The Company is continuing its work on updating
mineral resource estimates (MRE) and an updated definitive
feasibility study to incorporate additional drilling and the
sulphide testwork results.
Highlights from the metallurgical
testing include:
- Gravity gold recovery values vary
from 40.40% to 73.18% with an 85th percentile of 61.52%. These
results indicate that the sulphide ore at Kobada is amenable to
gravity recovery.
- Overall gold dissolution at 93.87%
(85th percentile) confirms initial findings that consistent overall
gold dissolution of above 90% can be achieved on the sulphide
ore.
- Cyanide consumption values vary
from 0.14 kg/t to 0.46 kg/t with an 85th percentile of 0.34 kg/t,
indicating low cyanide consumption of the sulphide ore.
- Lime consumption values vary from
0.23 kg/t to 0.31 kg/t with an 85th percentile of 0.30 kg/t,
confirming low lime consumption of the sulphide ore.
Danny Callow, CEO, African Gold Group
states:
“The finalisation of our comprehensive sulphide
metallurgical testwork programme, culminating in the variability
testwork, shows us that sulphides at the Kobada gold project can be
treated through a gravity and CIL process. The process design on
gravity and CIL for the oxides as presented in our July 2020
Definitive Feasibility Study is suitable for treating the sulphides
as well, and this will allow us to add substantial resources to our
overall resource base. The sulphides are free-milling, show
excellent recoveries and consume low amounts of lime and cyanide,
making this a very efficient operating cost process.”
“These results will feed into our updated DFS,
allowing us to incorporate sulphides into the life of mine plan and
we believe will add additional reserve ounces to our economic
models. The wider testwork programme has been highly successful and
confirms Kobada’s excellent potential as a future new mine in Mali.
We are looking forward to delivering an updated study in
Q3-2021.”
The comprehensive metallurgical testing program
was conducted by Maelgwyn South Africa (“MSA”) on composite samples
from all defined mineral zones (north, south, and central domains)
of the main shear zone. The final stage of this process, the
variability testing has proven the consistency of being able to
treat the sulphides across the extent of the ore body.
Kobada Sulphides Variability Recovery
Testwork Results
Upon completion of recovery optimization
testwork on a composite sample, the optimum conditions selected
were tested on variability samples to determine if the selected
process route and optimum conditions selected are applicable across
the entire ore body. Six variability samples were selected from the
North, South and Central zones. Table 1-1 below shows samples used
to make up the variability samples.
Sample ID |
Weight (kg) |
Sub samples used for compositing |
Central |
5.72 |
KB20 – P2-12 |
North |
6.93 |
KB20 – P4A-3KB20 – P4A-4KB20 – P4A-25KB20 – P4A-35 |
South 1 |
15.20 |
KB19 – P1-3KB19 – P1-4KB19 – P1-7KB19 – P1-11KB19 – P1-12 |
South 2 |
21.50 |
KB19 – P1-20KB19 – P1-21KB19 – P1-22KB19 – P1-31 |
South 3 |
9.31 |
KB19 – P2-1KB19 – P2-4KB19 – P2-5 |
South 4 |
27.78 |
KB19 – P2-6 |
Table 1-1: Variability Sample Selection
The selected process route on the oxide ore was
gravity followed by cyanidation. Initial scouting testwork on the
sulphide ore using the same process route as for the oxides showed
gold recovery above 90% with low cyanide and lime consumptions.
Therefore, the selected recovery process for the sulphides was
gravity followed by intensive cyanidation on the gravity
concentrate and cyanidation on the gravity middlings and tails. The
following optimum leach conditions were selected for the sulphide
ore:
- Grind: 80%-75µm.
- Leach process: Carbon in leach
(CIL).
- Cyanide addition – 1kg/t.
- Lab residence time – 12 to 24
hours.
- pH – 10.5.
- Percent solids – 50% w/w.
Table 2-1 shows a summary of the variability
recovery results.
Sample ID |
HeadGrade |
GravityRec. |
ILR |
Leach on Midds& Tails |
CyanideCons |
LimeCons |
LeachTails |
Overall GoldDissolution* |
Composite |
g/t Au |
% Au |
% Au |
% Au |
g/t |
g/t |
g/t Au |
% Au |
Central |
0.39 |
41.82 |
84.15 |
94.05 |
0.14 |
0.26 |
0.02 |
89.91 |
North |
0.49 |
49.56 |
87.08 |
66.67 |
0.46 |
0.27 |
0.07 |
76.78 |
South 1 |
0.47 |
40.40 |
76.55 |
95.16 |
0.29 |
0.29 |
0.02 |
87.64 |
South 2 |
0.48 |
57.63 |
94.61 |
91.85 |
0.26 |
0.23 |
0.03 |
93.44 |
South 3 |
1.34 |
73.18 |
96.07 |
92.67 |
0.27 |
0.31 |
0.02 |
95.16 |
South 4 |
1.03 |
46.24 |
81.15 |
89.90 |
0.29 |
0.23 |
0.06 |
85.85 |
85th percentile |
1.11 |
61.52 |
94.97 |
94.33 |
0.34 |
0.30 |
0.06 |
93.87 |
Minimum |
0.39 |
40.40 |
76.55 |
66.67 |
0.14 |
0.23 |
0.02 |
76.78 |
Maximum |
1.34 |
73.18 |
96.07 |
95.16 |
0.46 |
0.31 |
0.07 |
95.16 |
* Overall gold dissolution refers to gold going into solution and
does not include other losses incurred in the plant during
operations |
Table 2-1: Variability Recovery Summary
Results
The results indicate the following:
- Gravity gold recovery vary from
40.40% to 73.18% with an 85th percentile of 61.52%. These results
indicate that the Kobada sulphide ore is amenable to gravity
recovery.
- The 85th percentile overall gold
dissolution is 93.87% which confirms initial findings that overall
gold dissolution above 90% can be achieved on the sulphide ore. The
ore leaches well to give tails of 0.03 g/t for low and high grades
tested with the exception of North and South 4 samples. Low overall
recoveries shown are consistent with low grades tested but tail
grades are generally less than 0.03 g/t Au. This ties in with
findings from the diagnostic leach test which indicated that 0.02
g/t of the gold is locked in quartz or gangue.
- Cyanide consumption values vary
from 0.14 kg/t to 0.46 kg/t with an 85th percentile of 0.34 kg/t.
These results confirm initial findings that the sulphide ore is a
low cyanide consumer.
- Lime consumption values vary from
0.23 kg/t to 0.31 kg/t with an 85th percentile of 0.30 kg/t. These
results indicate that the sulphide ore is a low lime consumer.
Definitive Feasibility
Update
The Company is well underway to deliver an
updated Definitive Feasibility Study in Q3-2021. The comprehensive
update will target two key areas, namely inclusion of more than
7,000 m from the most recent drilling programme (see press release
as of February 2, 2021) and inclusion of additional sulphides from
the most recent metallurgical testwork into the resource and
reserves.
Progress to date includes the following:
- Completion of a full suite
metallurgical testwork on sulphide ore based upon multiple samples
shipped from the site.
- Preparation and assay of more than
7,000 m of exploration drilling, predominantly focusing on Phase 4
infill drilling results (conversion of high grade inferred
resources into measured and indicated category).
- Update of mineral resource and
reserve estimates (in progress).
- Update of mine optimization,
economic indicators, mine scheduling and waste dump designs based
on revised life of mine plan.
- Comminution modelling based upon
sulphide testwork.
- Process plant review and design
update to treat oxides and sulphides, including but not limited to:
- Update of layouts, PFD’s and
P&ID’s
- Update of Mechanical Equipment List
(MEL)
- Update of single line diagrams and
electrical loads
- Preparation of RFQ’s for additional
equipment packages
- Update of SMPP designs and RFQs
- Full peer review and update on
earthworks and civil engineering designs
- Tailings Storage Facility design
update to incorporate additional volume based on envisaged higher
tonnages, addition of sulphides and potential for higher
throughput.
- Testwork on samples for TSF
(testwork underway).
- Full CAPEX and OPEX update based
upon updated SMPP and MEL and future timing of sulphide circuit as
well as latest 2021 pricing.
- Updated economic model based upon
updated economic indicators, consensus and latest production
information.
- Receipt of multiple samples required
for ESIA update, which includes but is not limited to:
- Decommissioning and closure
plan
- Groundwater review
- Geotechnical testwork
- Air Quality and Noise Impact
Assessment
- Blasting and Vibration
assessment
- Biodiversity assessment
- Emergency Preparedness and Response
plan
About African Gold Group
African Gold Group is a TSX Venture Exchange
(TSX-V: AGG) listed exploration and development company with a
focus on building Africa’s next mid-tier gold producer. The Company
has a highly experienced board and management team with a proven
track record in the African mining sector operating mines from
development through to production. AGG’s principal asset is the
Kobada Project in southern Mali, which is in an advanced stage of
development having completed the 2020 definitive feasibility study
and is targeting gold production of 100,000 oz per annum. As well
as the initial Kobada Gold Project, other exploration locations
have been identified on the Kobada, Farada and Kobada Est
concessions, offering potential for an increase in resource. For
more information regarding African Gold Group visit our website at
www.africangoldgroup.com.
For more information:
Danny Callow President and Chief Executive Officer+(27) 76 411
3803 Danny.Callow@africangoldgroup.com
Scott EldridgeNon-Executive Chairman of the Board(604)
722-5381Scott.Eldridge@africangoldgroup.com
Daniyal Baizak VP Corporate Development (647)
835-9617Daniyal.Baizak@africangoldgroup.com
Camarco (Financial PR)Gordon Poole Nick Hennis +44 (0) 20 3757
4997 AfricanGoldGroup@camarco.co.uk
Cautionary statements
This press release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but is not
limited to, statements regarding, processing of sulphide materials,
appointment of officers and the grant of incentive stock options.
Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use
of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does
not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”,
“forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or
“believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or statements
that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”,
“might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”.
Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results,
level of activity, performance or achievements of AGG to be
materially different from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information, including but not limited to: receipt
of necessary approvals; general business, economic, competitive,
political and social uncertainties; future prices of mineral
prices; accidents, labour disputes and shortages and other risks of
the mining industry. Although AGG has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contained in forward-looking information,
there may be other factors that cause results not to be as
anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that
such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and
future events could differ materially from those anticipated in
such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information. AGG does not undertake to
update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with
applicable securities laws.
This news release does not constitute an offer
to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities
in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be
registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws
and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S.
Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and
applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such
registration is available.
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS
REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE
POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR
THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE.
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