Gekko Systems, a mining services company based in Australia, has been engaged by Lion One Metals to perform metallurgical testing on the Tuvatu Gold Project located on the island of Viti Levu in Fiji. Lion One Metals has delivered a sample of drill core composites to Australia for gravity, comminution, and flotation testing.
Tests results will specify amenability to processing methods, which may comprise flotation, gravity concentration, traditional or intensive leaching as well as gravity recoverable gold. Preliminary testing is anticipated to be completed in about four months.
Back in 1997, Emperor Gold conducted a batch treatment program on 968 t of ore with a grade of 3.63 g/t gold. The massive sample yielded 86.3% of gold recoveries. Metcon carried out lab tests on a 338 kg massive sample that produced 90% recoveries from gravity, cyanidation and flotation. Lion One Metals believes that these tests are pertinent since they have showed that the ores examined were amenable to traditional treatment. However, the company is not depending on their conclusions as the present tests will be carried out under diverse specifications by utilizing existing processing technologies.
If required, additional testing will concentrate on devising a recovery process flowsheet, creating both operating and capital cost models, evaluating the cost factors of gold extraction, and designing parameters for any recommended processing facilities. This work will be performed along with field work to develop an inventory of mineable gold, boost existing gold resources and advance the Tuvatu gold project towards production.
Source: http://www.liononemetals.com/