Emerita Resources Corp. (TSX – V: EMO; OTCQB: EMOTF; FSE: LLJA)
(the “Company” or “Emerita”) is pleased to provide results on the
Phase 2 metallurgical testing program (the “Program” or “Phase 2”)
on its wholly-owned Iberian Belt West Project (“IBW” or the
“Project”) for base metals. Tests to finalize the precious metals
recoveries are nearing completion and are expected around the end
of November.
The Phase 2 program used the detailed data from
Phase 1 and tested the bulk grades of each of the deposits (La
Infanta and La Romanera), to represent the likely production
domains for the future mining operations. This data, once
completed, will be suitable for furthering economic analysis of the
Project, including a revised NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource
estimate. The El Cura deposit is not included in this data,
however, metallurgical sampling of El Cura is underway and the
process will be streamlined by the work completed to date on La
Infanta and La Romanera deposits.
Base metal recoveries are very positive, exceed
published recoveries for the actively producing mines in the
Iberian Pyrite Belt. Metallurgical test results of Phase 2 indicate
that copper, lead and zinc concentrates can be produced at
commercial grades from both deposits. This represents an
improvement relative to Phase 1, where a zinc concentrate and a
semi-bulk copper-lead concentrate was produced.
Jorge Blanco, Director of Metallurgy for
Emerita, comments, “The results of the testing are positive. This
work will provide the parameters for a commercial plant design that
can produce three separate concentrates (copper, lead and zinc)
with both grades and recoveries that published recoveries and
concentrate grades from mining operations in the district.
Improving the precious metals recoveries has potential to
positively impact the project and represents an important
opportunity that appears to be realizable based on the ongoing
tests.”
LA INFANTA METALLURGICAL TEST PHASE
2 NORMALIZED DATA:
- Cu
Concentrate: 20.2%Cu Grade, 4.45 g/t Au, 1,503 g/t Ag and 1.8% mass
pull, 42.4% Cu Recovery.
- Pb
Concentrate: 35.5% Pb and 8.82%Cu Grade, 0.85 g/t Au, 524 g/t Ag
and 7.1% mass pull, 78.3% Pb and 39.7% Cu Recoveries.
- Zn
Concentrate: 52.9% Zn Grade, 0.51 g/t Au, 84 g/t Ag and 8.1% mass
pull, 78,0% Zn Recovery.
- Total
Precious Metal Recoveries: 50.9% Au, 88.2% Ag.
Monazite has been detected associated with La
Infanta mineralization (Figure 1). The monazite is associated with
several elements belonging to the LREE (light rare earths,
“lanthanides”). Based on the mineral compositions, up to four types
of monazite have been identified. Further work is being planned to
assess the potential significance.
- Monazite-(Ce), formula: CePO4
- Monazite-(La), formula: LaPO4
- Monazite-(Nd), formula: NdPO4
- Monazite-(Sm), formula: SmPO4
Figure 1: Electron microscope photo
showing clusters of Monazite crystals as well as Rutile in La
Infanta sample.
View Figure 1
here: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7eaa471b-dfa3-490b-ac0a-85cb9e258c2d
LA ROMANERA METALLURGICAL TEST PHASE 2
NORMALIZED DATA:
- Cu
Concentrate: 20.1%Cu Grade, 4.12 g/t Au, 1,642g/t Ag and 0.9% mass
pull, 40.3% Cu Recovery.
- Pb
Concentrate: 34.3%Pb and 2.9%Cu Grade, 2.88 g/t Au, 494 g/t Ag and
2.6% mass pull, 58.4% Pb and 17.7% Cu Recoveries.
- Zn
Concentrate: 52.6% Zn Grade, 1.25g/t Au, 138 g/t Ag and 5.0% mass
pull, 79.5% Zn Recovery.
- Total
Precious Metal Recoveries: 12.3% Au, 46.4% Ag.*
*See note below regarding the Precious Metals
Recoveries at La Romanera.
Update Phase 2 Gold
Recovery
The Company continues with its precious metals
recovery program. It should be noted that the IBW project deposits,
La Romanera in particular, has high gold and silver contents.
Numerous tests have been conducted to determine the best path for
obtaining saleable precious metal products and the process has been
narrowed down to the following:
- Additional
petrographic analyses in conjunction with Laser ICP-MS studies has
shown that 60% of the gold is associated with Arsenopyrite
with an average grade of 96 g/t Au in the arsenopyrite and
arsenopyrite only comprises 2.3% of total tailings
mass.
- The focus on
current metallurgical testing is designed to selectively separate
arsenopyrite to recover gold in an arsenopyrite concentrate. For
this purpose, the Wardell Armstrong International laboratory is
carrying out selective flotation tests.
- The Company has
engaged the services of Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc. out of
Quebec, to test the CLEVRTM Process (non-cyanide leaching gold
process) with the flotation tailings of La Romanera, Phase I. The
results obtained to date show the following results:
- Test 1: consisting of Oxidation +
CLEVR™, obtained 45.2% Gold recovery.
- Test 2: consisting of Pyrolysis +
Oxidation+ CLEVR™, obtained 62.7 % Gold
recovery.
- Test 3: consisting of Pyrolysis +
Oxidation+ Acid Leaching + CLEVR™ results expected in November
2024.
David Gower, P.Geo., CEO of Emerita, comments, “
There is significant potential value represented by the elevated
gold content in La Romanera deposit and it was important to persist
in finding a solution for realizing that value in a potential
future operation. The Spanish team and particularly our Director of
Metallurgy, have done a fabulous job in evaluating available
technologies to achieve these outcomes. We look forward to seeing
the final results of the ongoing program. In the present scenario,
we expect to produce a gold-rich concentrate or given the quantity
of material will be low, contemplate treating at site and producing
dore.”
Emerita Resources’ Phase 2 metallurgical testing
has been conducted under the guidance of Mr. Jorge Blanco,
Emerita’s Director of Metallurgy, in collaboration with Wardell
Armstrong International (Please see the news release June 11, 2024
for Metallurgical Testing Program, Phase 1).
Summary of the Phase 2 Metallurgical
Program:
- Two geological
domains have been defined - one for each deposit
- 746 and 111
sub-samples from La Romanera and La Infanta were selected
respectively to represent each domain to improve the metallurgical
understanding of both mineral deposits. The samples in Phase 2 have
been selected considering an even distribution and mass criteria
within the deposits, which enhanced the representativeness of the
data.
- The flotation
tests aimed to obtain three saleable products: Zinc, Copper and
Lead concentrates.
- The Phase 2 has
conducted test scheme will be the basis for the industrial
treatment plant design.
- The flotation
test scheme consisted of differential flotation, rougher and
cleaner steps, for each of the three base metals. The tests were
conducted separately for La Romanera and La Infanta deposits.
- Base Metal
Recoveries and concentrate grades are very positive, exceeding
those of actively producing mines in the Iberian Pyrite Belt.
Metallurgical Test Results of Phase 2 indicate that Copper, Lead
and Zinc concentrates can be produced at commercial grades from
both deposits. This represents an improvement relative to Phase
1.
Next Steps at Iberia Belt
West
- Completion of Phase 2 metallurgical
program including gold recoveries this quarter. This will provide
data required for a revised NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource
estimate based on actual metallurgical recoveries and for a plant
design in forthcoming engineering/economic studies.
- Continue drilling with three drills
at El Cura deposit until year end to expand the deposit and
increase drill hole density for mineral resource estimation. Lock
the drill hole data base at year-end in preparation for revised
mineral resource estimate in Q1/2025.
- Complete El Cura metallurgical test
in Q1/2025.
- Continue with ongoing engineering
studies in support of the Designation of Strategic Interest (“DSI”)
permitting process at IBW. Incorporate engineering studies
presently being done into a NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary
Economic Assessment (PEA) immediately on completion of a revised
mineral resource estimate, commencing in Q1/2025.
- The Company is well funded to
complete the work plan above.
Qualified Person
Scientific and technical information in this
news release has been reviewed and approved by each of Joaquin
Merino, P.Geo., President of the Company and Mr. Jorge Blanco,
MChem., Director of Metallurgy of the Company and each a Qualified
Person as defined by NI 43-101.
About Emerita Resources Corp.
Emerita is a natural resource company engaged in
the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties
in Europe, with a primary focus on exploring in Spain. The
Company’s corporate office and technical team are based in Sevilla,
Spain with an administrative office in Toronto, Canada.
For further information, contact:
Ian Parkinson+1 647 910-2500
(Toronto)info@emeritaresources.comwww.emeritaresources.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking
Information
This press release contains “forward-looking
information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities
legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without
limitation, statements regarding managerial appointments, the
prospectivity of the IBW project, the mineralization of the IBW
project, the economic viability of the IBW project, metallurgical
studies and results thereof, expected recoveries, the timing and
results Phase 2, the Company’s ongoing exploration and technical
studies, the Company’s ability to complete an updated NI 43-101
compliant mineral resource estimate and economic studies and timing
thereof, the Company’s future exploration plans and the Company’s
future plans. 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 state 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
Emerita, as the case may be, to be materially different from those
expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including
but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive,
geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of
current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in
foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the
purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks
inherent in the mining industry. Although Emerita 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. Emerita does not undertake
to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance
with applicable securities laws.
Information and links in this press release
relating to other mineral resource companies are from their sources
believed to be reliable, but that have not been independently
verified by the Company.
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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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