Newcore Gold Ltd. ("Newcore" or the "Company")
(TSX-V: NCAU, OTCQX: NCAUF) is pleased to announce positive results
from two bulk-scale pilot heap tests completed as part of the
ongoing metallurgical program at the Company’s 100%-owned Enchi
Gold Project ("Enchi" or the "Project") in Ghana. Two bulk-scale
pilot heap tests, leached for 60-days, were completed on 15-tonne
composite samples of oxide mineralization from the Sewum Gold
Deposit ("Sewum") and the Boin Gold Deposit ("Boin") at Enchi. An
average gold recovery of 91.9% was achieved from both samples, with
Sewum achieving an average gold recovery of 93.5% and Boin
achieving an average gold recovery of 90.3%. These strong
metallurgical results on oxide material from Enchi continue to
highlight the Project’s amenability to heap leach processing.
Highlights from the Pilot Heap Test
Results
- Average
gold recovery of 91.9% achieved from testwork on oxide
mineralization.
- Two 15-tonne composite samples from
Sewum and Boin, leached for 60-days.
- Sewum sample achieved an average
gold recovery of 93.5% with a head assay grade of 0.81 grams per
tonne gold ("g/t Au").
- Boin sample
achieved an average gold recovery of 90.3% with a head assay grade
of 1.09 g/t Au.
-
Representative samples were collected at Sewum and Boin
from two trenches on the central portions of each deposit,
completed specifically for metallurgical testwork.
- The Sewum and Boin Gold Deposits at
Enchi comprise approximately 76% of the Mineral Resource Estimate
defined to date at Enchi.
- Results continue
to show low consumption values for reagents: cement, cyanide,
lime.
- Results
in-line with column testwork completed to date, highlight +90% gold
recoveries with oxide and transition material amenable to heap
leach processing.
- The pilot heap
test results confirm the results of 14 column tests of 60 days or
longer, completed over the past two years, which returned an
average gold recovery of 92.2%.
-
Additional metallurgical testwork underway
- Optimization work continues with
additional column tests to be completed on oxide mineralization
from the Sewum, Boin, Nyam and Tokosea gold deposits.
- Additional testing of sulphide
mineralization from Sewum is in progress.
Greg Smith, VP Exploration of Newcore stated,
"These bulk-scale pilot heap tests completed on representative
oxide material from the Enchi Gold Project returned high
recoveries, in-line with results from metallurgical testing
completed to date, further supporting the amenability of Enchi to
heap leach processing. The larger, 15-tonne samples are a
significant step in confirming the positive results from the
extensive lab testing completed to date. These results, along with
the additional positive test results completed and reported since
2021, will be incorporated into our updated Preliminary Economic
Assessment Study which is targeted for completion in H1 2024. This
testwork was completed on samples from the two largest deposits
currently identified on the Project, Sewum and Boin, which together
compromise approximately 76% of the current Mineral Resource
Estimate. We continue to de-risk and advance the development of the
Project with further metallurgical testwork underway on both oxide
and sulphide mineralization at Enchi."
Metallurgical Testing
Summary
The two bulk-scale 15-tonne pilot heap tests on
oxide mineralization were completed as part of the ongoing
metallurgical program at the Company’s 100%-owned Enchi Gold
Project in Ghana. A gold recovery of 93.5% for Sewum and 90.3% for
Boin was achieved after 60 days of leaching.
Table 1 – Pilot Heap Tests Detail and
Average Gold Recovery
Deposit |
Sample Size |
Test Length |
Grade (g/t Au) |
Average Recovery |
Sewum |
15 tonnes |
60 days |
0.81 |
93.5% |
Boin |
15 tonnes |
60 days |
1.09 |
90.3% |
Average |
15 tonnes |
60 days |
0.95 |
91.9% |
A graph showing the leach curve can be viewed at
the following
link:https://newcoregold.com/site/assets/files/5834/2023_11-ncau-nr-met-pilot-test-results-graph.pdf
The gold recovery increased rapidly for the
first 20 days reaching 78.6% for Sewum and 73.2% for Boin,
continued at a moderate rate until day 40 reaching 91.7% for Sewum
and 85.9% for Boin, with ultimate recoveries of 93.5% for Sewum and
90.3% for Boin achieved after 60 days.
Head Sample Analysis
The mineralized material collected from the
trenches was mixed in an agglomeration drum, with three
representative sub-samples taken at regular intervals. The head
assay data for the three sub-samples is presented in Table 2. The
average assay for the Sewum mineralized material was 0.81 g/t Au
and that for Boin was 1.09 g/t Au.
Table 2a - Head Assays (g/t Au) of
Sub-Samples for Sewum
Sample |
Assay 1 |
Assay 2 |
Average |
1 |
0.85 |
0.88 |
0.87 |
2 |
0.51 |
0.76 |
0.64 |
3 |
0.94 |
0.89 |
0.92 |
|
|
Average |
0.81 |
Table 2b - Head Assays (g/t Au) of
Sub-Samples for Boin
Sample |
Assay 1 |
Assay 2 |
Average |
1 |
1.14 |
1.10 |
1.12 |
2 |
1.15 |
1.21 |
1.18 |
3 |
0.97 |
0.98 |
0.98 |
|
|
Average |
1.09 |
Reagent Consumption
The samples showed low reagent consumptions,
in-line with the column testwork completed to date. During
agglomeration, 8 kg/t of cement was added for each 15-tonne bulk
sample. Cyanide consumption averaged 0.74 kg/t (0.77 kg/t for Sewum
and 0.71 kg/t for Boin) with a 2.28 kg/t lime (hydrated) addition
to maintain a pH above 10.5 for both tests.
Table 3 - Reagent Consumption (kg/t)
Summary
Reagent |
Sewum |
Boin |
Average |
Cyanide |
0.77 |
0.71 |
0.74 |
Lime |
2.28 |
2.28 |
2.28 |
Cement |
8.0 |
8.0 |
8.0 |
Metallurgical Testing – Pilot Heap
Tests
The two 15-tonne samples were transported to the
University of Mines and Technology located in Tarkwa, Ghana.
Two platforms were built to receive the
bulk-scale metallurgical samples. Each of the two samples received
were blended in an agglomeration drum and sub-samples taken for
head assays. 8 kg/t of Portland cement, 1000 ppm cyanide solution
and 2.28 kg/t lime were used in the agglomeration process and the
agglomerates were placed on the prepared platforms. After a curing
period of 72 hours, irrigation began and was completed for 60
days.
The heap leach pad preparation commenced with
compaction of the ground with an impermeable clay layer at a slope
angle of between 3 and 6 degrees near the designated collection
solution point. The ground compaction was done such that there was
uniform strength across the ground to prevent point stresses that
could puncture the impervious membrane. Primary berms of height 0.5
metres were constructed around each leach pad, approximately 1.0
metre away from the heaps. The space that was occupied by the
mineralized material was approximately 2.5 x 2.5 metres and was
covered with quartz pebbles to create channels for the solution to
run through the heap and then flow without obstruction to the
collection point. 15-tonnes of each of the two different
mineralized materials, one from Sewum and one from Boin, were then
agglomerated on site with the aid of a concrete mixer. Coarse
material larger than 5 to 10 cm was crushed, otherwise the
mineralized material was agglomerated as received and poured out
and heaped manually. The cyanide solution was pumped into the
dripper tubes that were laid on top of the pilot heaps, for
discharge onto the prepared heaps. Dripper tubes were used to
prevent splashing of cyanide solution beyond heaps as an
environmental precaution. Percolated solution then flowed down the
pad slope to the collection point where the solution was channelled
into a container filled with activated carbon for gold adsorption.
Solution samples were then taken before and after adsorption for
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry ("AAS") analysis to determine
the gold in solution for metal balancing and recovery calculations.
After adsorption, the solution was conditioned and recirculated
onto the heaps (closed circuit) for 60 days.
At the end of each processing day, solution
exiting the heap was collected, the volume measured and the gold in
solution determined. Gold in all particulate samples was analysed
by fire assaying and that in solution samples by AAS.
The objective of the pilot heap tests was to
simulate the response to leaching of the samples with the emphasis
on establishing the gold dissolution characteristics (rate and
extent) and reagent consumption within the material. All samples
showed amenability to heap leaching, with recoveries from samples
from both Sewum and Boin averaging 91.9% after 60 days.
Boin and Sewum Oxide Sample
Details
The material for the pilot heap tests was
sourced from two trenches excavated for metallurgical testwork on
the Enchi Gold Project. The locations of the trenches were selected
in order to allow for wide gold mineralized intercepts of oxide
gold mineralization in each of the two largest deposits, Sewum and
Boin. Material exposed in the trenches is consider representative
of the oxide portion for both deposits. A total of 61 metres was
completed on KBTR_MET_001 from Boin and 107 metres was completed on
SWTR_MET_001 from Sewum. Trench KBTR_MET_001 at Boin was dug-out
manually while as SWTR_MET_001 was dug-out mechanically. Samples
were assigned a new unique number and submitted to the Intertek Lab
located in Tarkwa, Ghana.
Trench KBTR_MET_001 at Boin includes a
mineralized interval of 1.43 g/t Au over 44 metres, with a 15-tonne
composite sample prepared from one 30-metre-long segment consisting
of 30 one-metre samples with an average grade of 1.22 g/t Au
(ranging from 5.17 g/t Au to 0.05 g/t Au).
Trench SWTR_MET_001 from Sewum includes a
mineralized interval of 1.18 g/t Au over 92 metres, with a 15-tonne
composite sample prepared from three segments totalling 60 metres
in length and comprised of 60 one-metre samples with an overall
average grade of 0.83 g/t Au (ranging from 5.31 g/t Au to 0.17 g/t
Au).
Select assay results from the two trenches are
shown below:
Table 4 - Enchi Gold Project Trenching
Results Highlights
Hole ID |
Zone/Deposit |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Length (m) |
Au (g/t) |
KBTR_MET_001 |
Boin |
1.0 |
45.0 |
44.0 |
1.43 |
including |
|
5.0 |
34.0 |
29.0 |
1.97 |
SWTR_MET_001 |
Sewum |
15.0 |
107.0 |
92.0 |
1.18 |
including |
|
27.0 |
40.0 |
13.0 |
2.70 |
including |
|
58.0 |
81.0 |
23.0 |
1.78 |
Notes:1. Intervals reported are trench lengths
with true width estimated to be 75 - 85%; and2. Length-weighted
averages from uncut assays.3. For additional details and results of
column tests completed on the same material see news release dated
October 4, 2023.
Enchi Gold Project – Comparison of Pilot
Heap Test Results to Column Test Results
The positive gold recovery values (average
recovery of 91.9%) from the bulk-scale pilot heap testwork confirm
results from a series of column tests completed over the last two
years. A total of 14 column tests with leach times of over 60-days
have been completed, with an average gold recovery of 92.2%
achieved. This column testwork included six tests with a 60-day
duration, two tests with a 70-day duration, and six tests with a
90-day duration. Gold recovery curves were similar with average
gold recoveries of 65.6% after 30 days, 85.6% after 60 days, and
92.2% at the completion of the tests. The tests were completed on
oxide and transition material from the Sewum and Boin deposits,
except for one sample completed on mixed oxide and transition
material from the Kwakyekrom gold deposit. Material used for the
testwork included reverse circulation chip coarse rejects, split
diamond drill core, as well as trench samples. Consumption values
for reagents (cement, lime, cyanide) are similarly low when
comparing the results of the column tests with the pilot heap test
results. All testwork was completed at labs located in Tarkwa,
Ghana, with thirteen of the column tests completed at Intertek Lab
and one completed at the University of Mines and Technology.
Enchi Gold Project Mineral Resource
Estimate
The Enchi Gold Project hosts an Indicated
Mineral Resource of 41.7 million tonnes grading 0.55 g/t Au
containing 743,500 ounces gold and an Inferred Mineral Resource of
46.6 million tonnes grading 0.65 g/t Au containing 972,000 ounces
(see Newcore news release dated March 7, 2023). Mineral resource
estimation practices are in accordance with CIM Estimation of
Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve Best Practice Guidelines
(November 29, 2019) and follow CIM Definition Standards for Mineral
Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014), that are
incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 ("NI
43-101"). The Mineral Resource Estimate is from the technical
report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Enchi Gold
Project" with an effective date of January 25, 2023, which was
prepared for Newcore by Todd McCracken, P. Geo, of BBA E&C Inc.
and Simon Meadows Smith, P. Geo, of SEMS Exploration Services Ltd.
in accordance with NI 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral
Projects, and is available under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca. Todd McCracken and Simon Meadows Smith are
independent qualified persons ("QP") as defined by NI 43-101.
Newcore Gold Best Practice
Newcore is committed to best practice standards
for all exploration, sampling and drilling activities. Drilling was
completed by an independent drilling firm using industry standard
RC and Diamond Drill equipment. Analytical quality assurance and
quality control procedures include the systematic insertion of
blanks, standards and duplicates into the sample strings. Samples
are placed in sealed bags and shipped directly to Intertek Labs
located in Tarkwa, Ghana for 50 gram gold fire assay.
Qualified Person
Mr. Gregory Smith, P. Geo, Vice President of
Exploration at Newcore, is a Qualified Person as defined by NI
43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical data and
information contained in this news release. Mr. Smith has verified
the technical and scientific data disclosed herein and has
conducted appropriate verification on the underlying data including
confirmation of the drillhole data files against the original
drillhole logs and assay certificates.
About Newcore Gold Ltd.
Newcore Gold is advancing its Enchi Gold Project
located in Ghana, Africa’s largest gold producer (1). The Project
currently hosts an Indicated Mineral Resource of 743,500 ounces of
gold at 0.55 g/t and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 972,000 ounces
of gold at 0.65 g/t (2). Newcore Gold offers investors a unique
combination of top-tier leadership, who are aligned with
shareholders through their 20% equity ownership, and prime district
scale exploration opportunities. Enchi’s 216 km2 land package
covers 40 kilometres of Ghana’s prolific Bibiani Shear Zone, a gold
belt which hosts several 5 million-ounce gold deposits, including
the Chirano mine 50 kilometers to the north. Newcore’s vision is to
build a responsive, creative and powerful gold enterprise that
maximizes returns for shareholders.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors of
Newcore Gold Ltd.
Luke AlexanderPresident, CEO & Director
For further information, please
contact:
Mal Karwowska | Vice President, Corporate
Development and Investor Relations+1 604 484
4399info@newcoregold.com www.newcoregold.com
(1) Source: Production volumes for 2022 as
sourced from the World Gold Council(2) Notes for Mineral Resource
Estimate:1. Canadian Institute of Mining Metallurgy and Petroleum
("CIM") definition standards were followed for the resource
estimate.2. The 2023 resource models used ordinary kriging (OK)
grade estimation within a three-dimensional block model with
mineralized zones defined by wireframed solids and constrained by
pits shell for Sewum, Boin and Nyam. Kwakyekrom and Tokosea used
Inverse Distance squared (ID2).3. Open pit cut-off grades varied
from 0.14 g/t to 0.25 g/t Au based on mining and processing costs
as well as the recoveries in different weathered material.4. Heap
leach cut-off grade varied from 0.14 g/t to 0.19 g/t in the pit
shell and 1.50 g/t for underground based on mining costs,
metallurgical recovery, milling costs and G&A costs.5. CIL cut
off grade varied from 0.25 g/t to 0.27 g/t in a pit shell and 1.50
g/t for underground based on mining costs, metallurgical recovery,
milling costs and G&A costs.6. A US$1,650/ounce gold price was
used to determine the cut-off grade.7. Metallurgical recoveries
have been applied to five individual deposits and in each case
three material types (oxide, transition, and fresh rock).8. A
density of 2.19 g/cm3 for oxide, 2.45 g/cm3 for
transition, and 2.72 g/cm3 for fresh rock was applied.9.
Optimization pit slope angles varied based on the rock types.10.
Reasonable mining shapes constrain the mineral resource in close
proximity to the pit shell.11. Mineral Resources that are not
mineral reserves do not have economic viability. Numbers may not
add due to rounding.12. The Mineral Resource Estimate is from the
technical report titled "Mineral Resource Estimate for the Enchi
Gold Project" with an effective date of January 25, 2023, which was
prepared for Newcore by Todd McCracken, P. Geo, of BBA E&C Inc.
and Simon Meadows Smith, P. Geo, of SEMS Exploration Services Ltd.
in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects and is available under Newcore’s
SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. Todd McCracken and Simon
Meadows Smith are independent qualified persons ("QP") as defined
by National Instrument 43-101.
Neither the 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.
Cautionary Note Regarding
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes statements that
contain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of the
applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking
statements"). All statements, other than statements of historical
fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations,
estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any
statement that involves discussion with respect to predictions,
expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions,
future events or performance (often, but not always using phrases
such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled",
"estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes"
or variations (including negative 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)
are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking
statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements
relate, among other things, to: statements about the estimation of
mineral resources; timing and completion of an updated PEA; results
of metallurgical testwork, results of drilling, magnitude or
quality of mineral deposits; anticipated advancement of mineral
properties or programs; and future exploration prospects.
These forward-looking statements, and any
assumptions upon which they are based, are made in good faith and
reflect our current judgment regarding the direction of our
business. The assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements
are based on information currently available to Newcore. Although
the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are
based upon what management of Newcore believes, or believed at the
time, to be reasonable assumptions, Newcore cannot assure its
shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such
forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that
cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.
Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results,
performance or achievements of the Company to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such
factors include, among others: risks related to the speculative
nature of the Company’s business; the Company’s formative stage of
development; the Company’s financial position; possible variations
in mineralization, grade or recovery rates; actual results of
current exploration activities; fluctuations in general
macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets;
fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold and other
commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian
dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national
and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations
and political or economic developments; risks and hazards
associated with the business of mineral exploration, development
and mining (including environmental hazards, unusual or unexpected
geological formations); the presence of laws and regulations that
may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations;
relationships with and claims by local communities; the speculative
nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks
of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from
government authorities); and title to properties.
Forward-looking statements contained herein are
made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims
any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as
a result of new information, future events or results, except as
may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no
assurance that forward-looking 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.
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