ValOre Metals Corp.
(“ValOre”;
the “Company”; TSX‐V: VO; OTC:
KVLQF; Frankfurt: KEQ0)
today announced preliminary metallurgical results for cyanide leach
and Falcon Ultra-Fine (“UF”) testwork for ValOre’s 100%-owned Pedra
Branca Platinum Group Element (“PGE”) Project in northeastern
Brazil.
“We are extremely pleased with both the high
palladium recoveries achieved with cyanidation tests and the
gravity concentration tests which showed more than 80% of the
platinum recovered in 32% of the mass,” stated ValOre’s Chairman
and CEO, Jim Paterson. “These favorable and complimentary results
significantly increase the optionality related to future
development of the Pedra Branca project and they provide real
impetus for ValOre to continue to perform tests to optimize
conditions and improve metallurgical recoveries.”
Highlights
from Cyanide Leach and Falcon UF
Gravity Tests at
Pedra Branca
- Hot cyanide
metallurgical test recoveries of
84.4%,
88.5% and 91.7%
palladium (“Pd”) were achieved;
- Falcon UF
gravity test work was very effective at concentrating platinum
(“Pt”) with 73.3% Pt recovered
in only 9.6% of the mass and
82.6% Pt recovered in
32.1% of the mass;
- Falcon UF
gravity concentration may serve to optimize conditions required for
the Platsol™ process (see news release date November 2, 2020) by
favorably rejecting acid-consuming minerals, and consequently,
three subsequent Platsol™ optimization tests have been
initiated.
PGE Cyanidation Testwork
Palladium and platinum are readily soluble in a
cyanide leach solution under certain chemical conditions. To assess
the potential of cyanide leaching as a means to recover PGEs at
Pedra Branca, three initial 48-hour hot cyanide leach tests were
conducted at SGS Lakefield, Ontario (“SGS”). These tests were
conducted on: 1) composite drill core sample from the Curiu 2PGE+Au
deposit (100,000oz at 1.93 g 2PGE+Au/t); 2) an outcrop sample from
the Trapia 2PGE+Au deposit (219,000oz at 1.19 g 2PGE+Au/t); and 3)
tailings material collected from the first Falcon UF Gravity
Concentrator test (see “Falcon UF Gravity Separation” below).
Recoveries of 84.4%, 88.5% and 91.7% Pd were achieved in 48-hour
leach experiments. See Table 1 below for a summary of cyanidation
results, and Table 2 below for a description of sample details.
The hot cyanide leach tests were performed with
the following conditions:
- Grind size =
20-30 μm (P80)
- Pulp density =
33% solids (w/w)
- Pulp temperature
= 50°C
- Cyanide
concentration = 20 g/L NaCN (maintained)
- Dissolved Oxygen
= 20 mg/L (maintained)
- Retention time =
48 hours
- Kinetic solution
subsamples assayed for Pt and Pd after ~6, 24 and 48 hours
Table
1: Summary of Hot Cyanide Leach
Results
Sample |
Tailing from Test |
% Extraction |
Platinum |
Palladium |
6 h |
24 h |
48 h |
6 h |
24 h |
48 h |
Curiu Core |
-- |
1 |
2 |
2.6 |
81 |
88 |
91.7 |
Trapia West Outcrop |
-- |
2 |
3 |
4.2 |
47 |
74 |
84.4 |
Curiu Core |
G1 |
5 |
5 |
7.2 |
83 |
90 |
88.5 |
Table
2: Description of Sample
Details
Sample Type |
Source |
Weight Received |
Pd (g/t) |
Pt (g/t) |
Rh (g/t) |
Au (g/t) |
3PGE+Au (g/t) |
Historical Drill Core |
Curiu Deposit |
20-25 kg |
3.83 |
6.86 |
0.25 |
0.24 |
11.2 |
Outcrop |
Curiu Deposit |
20-25 kg |
7.86 |
3.95 |
0.45 |
0.30 |
12.6 |
Outcrop |
Trapia West Deposit |
20-25 kg |
21.6 |
17.0 |
0.25 |
0.83 |
39.6 |
The strong leachability of Pd in all three tests
warrants subsequent cyanidation tests aimed at improving the
performance of Pt recoveries. The addition of chloride and/or
iodine as an additive in future testing may promote reaction
activity and this could positively impact the recoveries of both Pt
and Pd.
About Cyanidation of PGEs
Further information about cyanide leaching can
be found in the link below:
https://www.sgs.ca/en/mining/metallurgy-and-process-design/cyanidation-technologies/cyanide-leaching
Falcon UF Gravity
Separation
Previous mineralogical studies of Pedra Branca
mineralized ultramafic rocks suggest a very fine nature to the PGE
minerals (<9 micrometer (“μm”)) and thus multiple rounds of
testwork have been initiated to assess the potential to upgrade
feed material by means of a fine grind (-20 to -38 μm) followed by
gravity separation using the Falcon UF Gravity Concentrator. The
primary objective is to scavenge ultra-fine mineral particles that
are typically rejected from conventional gravity processing
circuits as slimes.
The first round of Falcon UF testwork (“G1”) was
completed on a sample of historical drill core from the Curiu
2PGE+Au deposit (NI 43-101 resource of 100,000oz 2PGE+Au at 1.93
g/t). A summary of the samples tested is included in Table 2 above.
Platinum responded very favorably to Falcon UF Gravity
concentration, with 73.3% Pt separated into only 9.6% of the mass,
82.6% Pt separated into 32.1% of the mass, and 57.8% Pt on the
first mass pull (4.6% of the mass). Palladium responded less
favorably to Falcon UF concentration, with 47.7% Pd recovered in
32.1% of the mass. See Figure 1 and Table 3 below for a summary of
G1 test results, which were run under the following test protocols:
5 kg feed at -38 μm, 10-15% solids with ~ 3 litres/minute pulp feed
rate.
- 300 G-Force
centrifugal pressure
- Recover Pass 1
Concentrate and retain
- Repass Pass 1
Tailing
- Repeat for a
total of 8 passes – expected mass recovery of 20-25% in total
- Filter, dry and
weigh all products and submit for assay (8 concentrates, 1
tailing), including Cr, Pt and Pd
- Metallurgical
balance relating mass recovery to PGE recovery
Figure 1: Summary
Graph of G1 Falcon UF Gravity Test
Results
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fdc276e5-e2f4-4ed5-bfdf-c9b03f405c98
Table
3: Summary Table of G1 Falcon UF Gravity
Test Results
Product |
Mass |
Assays, g/t |
Distribution % |
g |
% |
Pt, g/t |
Pd, g/t |
Cr, % |
Pt |
Pd |
Cr |
Pass 1 Concentrate |
226.7 |
4.6 |
44.5 |
21.9 |
15.1 |
57.8 |
15.0 |
8.6 |
Pass 1+2 Concentrate |
477.3 |
9.6 |
26.8 |
17.9 |
16.8 |
73.3 |
25.9 |
20.1 |
Pass 1-3 Concentrate |
707.1 |
14.2 |
19.0 |
15.1 |
17.1 |
77.0 |
32.3 |
30.2 |
Pass 1-4 Concentrate |
921.6 |
18.5 |
15.0 |
13.2 |
16.9 |
79.0 |
37.0 |
39.0 |
Pass 1-5 Concentrate |
1121.0 |
22.5 |
12.5 |
11.9 |
16.4 |
80.2 |
40.4 |
46.1 |
Pass 1-6 Concentrate |
1297.9 |
26.1 |
10.9 |
11.0 |
16.0 |
81.2 |
43.3 |
52.0 |
Pass 1-7 Concentrate |
1455.6 |
29.2 |
9.8 |
10.3 |
15.6 |
82.0 |
45.5 |
56.9 |
Pass 1-8 Concentrate |
1600.1 |
32.1 |
9.0 |
9.8 |
15.4 |
82.6 |
47.4 |
61.6 |
Given the strong performance of Pt concentration
in the G1 test, a subsequent round of Falcon UF concentration
testwork (“G2”) was performed, aimed at further improving
recoveries by a sequential coarse-to-fine grind. G2 was designed to
examine the response of coarsely ground (~100 µm P80) material to
standard gravity recovery techniques (Wilfley table), followed by
fine grinding of the tailing (P80 = ~20 µm) and processing at high
G-Force with the Falcon UF test procedure. This assumes that the
PGEs were predominantly associated with chromite and that coarse
chromite may concentrate somewhat efficiently relative to the
lighter matrix minerals.
Platinum once again responded well to the
combined Wilfley + Falcon UF process, with 76.4% recovered in 30.6%
of the mass (Wilfley concentrate + Falcon pass 1 concentrate), and
86.9% recovered in 56.1% of the mass in the combined Wilfley + 4
pass Falcon concentrate. Palladium showed a slight improvement to
G1 results, but required a higher mass pull, with recovery curves
flattening at ~30% mass pull. The Wilfley stage did not show a
marked improvement on G1 results. CLICK HERE for
Figure 2 and Table 4 for summaries of the G2 test results.
The strong performance of Pt in both the G1 and
G2 Falcon UF gravity tests, combined with strong leachability of Pd
seen in the three cyanidation tests presents two highly
complementary processes to concentrate and recover Pd and Pt at
Pedra Branca. High-priority follow-up testwork is planned to
further optimize conditions and improve metallurgical
recoveries.
About Falcon UF Gravity
Separation
Further information about Falcon UF gravity
separation can be found in the link below:
https://minerals.seprosystems.com/equipment/falcon-uf-gravity-concentrators/
ABOUT SGS
SGS is the world’s leading inspection,
verification, testing and certification company. SGS is recognized
as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. With more than
89,000 employees, SGS operates a network of more than 2,600 offices
and laboratories around the world.
SGS fit-for-purpose solutions encompass the
skills of qualified geologists, geostatistician, analytical
chemists, mineralogists, metallurgists, process engineers and
mining engineers brought together to provide accurate and timely
mineral and process evaluation services across the entire mining
life cycle.
Qualified Person (QP)
The technical information in this news release
has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory
requirements set out in NI 43-101 and reviewed and approved by
Colin Smith, P.Geo., ValOre’s QP, who oversees New Project Review
for ValOre.
About ValOre Metals Corp.
ValOre Metals Corp.
(TSX‐V: VO) is a
Canadian company with a portfolio of high‐quality exploration
projects. ValOre’s team aims to deploy capital and knowledge on
projects which benefit from substantial prior investment by
previous owners, existence of high-value mineralization on a large
scale, and the possibility of adding tangible value through
exploration, process improvement, and innovation.
In May 2019, ValOre announced the acquisition of
the Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements (PGE) property, in Brazil,
to bolster its existing Angilak uranium, Genesis/Hatchet uranium
and Baffin gold projects in Canada.
The Pedra Branca PGE Project comprises 38
exploration licenses covering a total area of 38,940 hectares
(96,223 acres) in northeastern Brazil. At Pedra Branca, 5 distinct
PGE+Au deposit areas host, in aggregate, a NI 43-101 Inferred
Resource of 1,067,000 ounces 2PGE+ Au contained in 27.2 million
tonnes grading 1.22 g/t 2PGE+Au (see ValOre’s July 23, 2019 news
release). PGE mineralization outcrops at surface and all of the
currently known inferred resources are potentially open
pittable.
Comprehensive exploration programs have
demonstrated the "District Scale" potential of ValOre’s Angilak
Property in Nunavut Territory, Canada that hosts the Lac 50 Trend
having a NI 43‐101 Inferred Resource of 2,831,000 tonnes grading
0.69% U3O8, totaling 43.3 million pounds U3O8. For disclosure
related to the inferred resource for the Lac 50 Trend uranium
deposits, please refer to ValOre's news release of March 1,
2013.
ValOre’s team has forged strong relationships
with sophisticated resource sector investors and partner Nunavut
Tunngavik Inc. (NTI) on both the Angilak and Baffin Gold
Properties. ValOre was the first company to sign a comprehensive
agreement to explore for uranium on Inuit Owned Lands in Nunavut
Territory and is committed to building shareholder value while
adhering to high levels of environmental and safety standards and
proactive local community engagement.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
"Jim Paterson"
James R. Paterson, Chairman and CEO
ValOre Metals Corp.
For further information about, ValOre Metals
Corp. or this news release, please visit our website at
valoremetals.com or contact Investor Relations toll free at
1.888.331.2269, at 604.646.4527, or by email at
contact@valoremetals.com.
ValOre Metals Corp. is a proud member of
Discovery Group. For more information please visit:
discoverygroup.ca
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policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release contains “forward-looking
statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Although ValOre believes that the expectations reflected in its
forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements have
been based on factors and assumptions concerning future events that
may prove to be inaccurate. These factors and assumptions are based
upon currently available information to ValOre. Such statements are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that could influence actual results or events and cause actual
results or events to differ materially from those stated,
anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. A number
of important factors including those set forth in other public
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statements. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ
materially from those in forward-looking statements include the
future operations of ValOre and economic factors. Readers are
cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements. The statements in this press release are made as of the
date of this release and, except as required by applicable law,
ValOre does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or to
revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise. ValOre
undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or
statements made by third parties in respect of ValOre, or its
financial or operating results or (as applicable), their
securities.
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