The testing programme was designed to determine the most effective processing approach for a planned 50tpd carbon-in-leach gold plant, while also evaluating options for future expansion.
Kavango Resources (LSE:KAV) has completed a metallurgical testing programme on ore samples taken from the Hillside Gold Project in Zimbabwe, delivering encouraging results for the proposed processing operation.
The programme focused on identifying optimal processing parameters and plant design specifications for a 50-tonnes-per-day carbon-in-leach (CIL) gold plant currently under development, with additional consideration given to potential future upgrades in capacity.
Testing across different blends of Nightshift and Bill’s Luck ore produced strong metallurgical recovery rates, with laboratory recoveries exceeding 95% and expected operational recoveries estimated at between 90% and 93%.
Results showed that gold from the Nightshift deposit was entirely non-refractory, while ore from Bill’s Luck contained 91% free-milling gold.
Further analysis identified very limited coarse gold content and low concentrations of elements such as native carbon minerals, copper and zinc, which can negatively impact gold recovery as “gold robbers”.
The programme also included gravity recovery testing using centrifugal concentrators, with recoveries ranging from 50% to 90%.
Gold concentrates were found to be suitable for standard intensive leach processing technologies, delivering recoveries of up to 98% after 24 hours.
According to the company, reagent usage and energy consumption remained within standard operating ranges throughout the testwork.
Kavango carried out the programme alongside Solo Resources and Maelgwyn Mineral Services, while SGS South Africa completed mineralogical analysis and assessments under ISO and South African National Accreditation System-accredited standards.
Eight composite ore blends were prepared to reflect the anticipated feed material for both the 50tpd processing plant currently under construction and a proposed future upgrade to 250tpd capacity.
Among the samples tested, composites C and D achieved laboratory recovery rates of 97% and 96%, respectively.
Gravity recoverable gold testing using three-stage and five-stage processes determined that an optimal grind size of 75 microns delivered the best performance.
The company also completed intensive leach reactor testing in preparation for the possible addition of an elution circuit, with results demonstrating strong leaching efficiency.
Kavango Resources interim CEO Peter Wynter Bee said: “The team is extremely encouraged by these excellent metallurgical testwork results. All processing parameters are considered to be within a normal range, with no excess grinding or reagent consumption requirements.
“This gives us the confidence to continue building the resource base at our Hillside projects, with the goal of increasing gold production via future increases in processing capacity.”
More about Kavango Resources
Kavango Resources is a mining exploration and development company focused on projects in Zimbabwe and Botswana. The company is advancing gold exploration and production initiatives at the Hillside Gold Project while also pursuing opportunities in base and precious metals across southern Africa.
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