Albyn - Processing Methods

Initial metallurgical works carried out at the Company's laboratories and by Irgiredmet showed that the mineralisation is highly leachable and that higher gold recoveries may be achieved at relatively coarse grind sizes indicating that the ore can be easily processed. Three samples have been taken so far, each approximately 500 kg; one surface sample (84.8 per cent. oxidised) and two at different depths (34 to 35 per cent. oxidised). In all of them, 90 per cent. of the gold is in a size category from 0.74mm to 2mm. All samples are 96 to 99 per cent. cyanidable, and actual recoveries were 95.2 per cent., 91.3 per cent., and 79.3 per cent. with increasing depth (decreasing oxidation state) of sample. Flotation of the ‘primary' ore samples yields 95 to 98 per cent. recovery, while gravitation with cyanidation of tailings yields 91 to 97 per cent. recovery for all three samples. Heap leaching recoveries are lower at 50 to 89 per cent.. As a result, the gravitational/cyanidation of tailings processing method has been selected as the most appropriate.