Fulcrum Metals plc has started a commissioned pilot plant scoping study, with Test Design Implement Solutions LLC, to improve work at its Teck Hughes and Sylvanite gold tailings projects in Kirkland Lake, Ontario.
DE-RISK
TDI will be assisted by Extrakt Process Solutions LLC and Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions, Inc.
The move follows assessment of phase III optimisation metallurgical results, that included gold recovery of up to 78% which the company said was a 31% increase from phase I testing.
Recovery of multiple co-products included up to 95% silver, 96% tellurium, 85% copper and 20% gallium.
Fulcrum said that the results also indicated in-situ metal had a value of approximately US$750 million.
The company plans further optimisation work to improve gallium recovery and additional “potentially” valuable minerals recovery, as yet untested.
Extrakt Reagent Management System test work also indicated “the potential for significant benefits, reducing process solution volume by about 80% while increasing precious metal concentrations by 85-90%”.
“Pilot plant success is one of the most important de-risking moments in any project lifecycle,” said chief executive officer Ryan Mee.
“Following the excellent Phase 3 optimisation results announced earlier this week, we now intend to determine a clear and disciplined approach to pilot-scale testing,”
“This standalone pilot plant will serve as a module for flexible upscaling of our existing and potential future projects.”