Castillo Copper Ltd’s (ASX:CCZ) stockpile tests have produced high recoveries and grades up to 22% copper from the Cangai Copper Mine in New South Wales.
The company had taken two composites formed from bulk samples at the McDonoughs Portal and Shaft stockpiles along the line of lode at Cangai.
Significantly, the test-work in the laboratory has demonstrated the ore has beneficiated materially.
Furthermore, results to date have confirmed solid copper concentrate recoveries that exceeded 80%, while the grade was up to 22% copper and 300 ppm cobalt.
Metallurgical testing
Castillo is optimistic that the copper concentrate recovery rates and grades would improve as further metallurgical test-work is conducted.
More significantly, these results provide a key insight on copper recoveries and grades for the other historical stockpiles at Cangai yet to be analysed.
READ: Castillo Copper crosses another milestone towards re-opening Cangai Copper Mine
Castillo chairman Peter Meagher said: “The board notes the metallurgical test-work done to date on the legacy stockpiles has demonstrated proof of concept.
Pleasingly, we have seen solid copper concentrate recoveries and grades, which we expect to continue improving as metallurgical test-work is progressed.
“Further, we are delighted to have strong interest in our stockpiles from several end user groups.”
Next step: monetising legacy stockpiles
Further metallurgical test-works are planned to improve the copper concentrate recovery and grades.
The geology team has approached the regulator for guidance on how to effectively and efficiently remove the stockpiles from site, so the economic benefits can be captured.
The clear options are third-party processing locally or a direct shipping ore product once regulatory clearance is secured.
Castillo continues to progress discussions with the several prospective off-take partners interested in processing the ore as relevant information comes to hand.