YTC Resources has reported high copper recoveries in the Nymagee copper mineralization joint venture in Australia.
A preliminary flotation test on the samples taken from hole NMD001 was very favorable, with recoveries in excess of 92% to a concentrate grading >26% copper and recoveries in excess of 98% using a finer grind size.
The preliminary test further revealed that the Nymagee ore also contains considerable silver, and in this initial test, the recovery of silver to the concentrate is >80%.
YTC said that none of the penalty thresholds for common penalty elements were reached in this sample, indicating a clean and marketable concentrate can be produced.
YTC CEO Rimas Kairaitis said this initial test work shows that the Nymagee mineralization could be readily treated at the proposed Hera process plant in an integrated Hera-Nymagee development.
YTC bought an 80% interest in the Nymagee Mine JV from CBH Resources as part of the Hera Project purchase transaction in September 2009, and subsequently earned a 90% interest, through sole funding exploration expenditure.
The Nymagee JV includes the Nymagee Copper Mine which last operated in 1918, and has recorded historical production of 422,000t @ 5.8% Cu.