Dec 19 2012
Kiska Metals Corporation ("Kiska" or "the Company") reports metallurgical results from studies carried out on composite samples from the Whistler Deposit, Alaska. Locked cycle flotation tests on two composite samples returned average copper concentrates grading 25.4% copper with recoveries averaging 91.9% for copper and 70.4% for gold. These tests indicate that the Whistler deposit is very receptive to standard flotation techniques.
"The results of metallurgical test work mark an important milestone in our efforts to unlock value from the Whistler Deposit. We are very encouraged that testing indicates that high quality copper concentrates with excellent copper and gold recoveries can be produced," stated Jason Weber, President and CEO of Kiska Metals." Importantly, these tests represent typical ore processing techniques used for treating simple copper-gold porphyry deposits. This suggests that the ore processing flow sheet will be relatively simple. Results from concentrate analysis also reveal low concentrations of deleterious elements and as a result no related smelter penalties are anticipated."
Composite samples were collected from two holes (WH08-08 and WH10-19) in the Whistler Deposit that are thought to be representative of the bulk of deposit mineralization. Recoveries of 91.9% for copper and 73.1% for gold were obtained from locked cycle flotation tests of the WH08-08 sample (feed grade of 0.11% copper and 0.43 g/t gold). The test produced a concentrate grading 24.5% copper and 79.3 g/t gold.
Similar results were obtained from locked cycle flotation tests of WH10-19 mineralization (feed grade of 0.22% copper and 0.53 g/t gold). Recoveries of 91.9% were obtained for copper and 67.7% for gold. This test produced a concentrate grading 26.2% copper and 46.5 g/t gold.
This work supports the findings of Kiska's 2010 metallurgical studies (see Kiska news release dated October 21, 2010) of the Island Mountain prospect which is located 23 kilometres south of the Whistler Deposit. Like the current Whistler test work, the 2010 studies indicate that mineralization at Island Mountain can be processed using standard processing techniques. The excellent metallurgical performance of both, Island Mountain and Whistler mineralization, will be an important factor in any future economic studies in the Whistler District.
Metallurgical testing was carried out by G&T Metallurgical Labs in Kamloops, BC under the supervision of Alan Riles, MAIG, of AMC Mining Consultants (Canada) Limited. Mr. Riles has reviewed and approved this release and is a Qualified Person as defined under the terms of National Instrument 43-101.
Source: http://www.kiskametals.com/