Armadale Capital has updated metallurgical work at its 80%-owned Mpokoto project in the DRC’s Katanga Province, which has confirmed the proposed two-phase processing route to recover gold from the oxide ores initially, with a further second phase to treat the transition and fresh rock.
Metallurgical testwork on two bulk samples of oxide ore has confirmed recoveries of between 80-89%, with the final recovery dependent on grind size and leach residence time. The company plans to treat oxides largely by gravity separation with a flotation stage to treat the gravity tails.
It is now continuing with testwork on the fresh rock samples to confirm a process route for sulphide rich ores that occur beneath the oxidised profile. Previously, the company has stated that it will add a regrind mill to treat the flotation concentrate and recover the gold through a carbon-in-leach (CIL) plant, with expected recoveries of 84%.
The Mpokoto project is currently undergoing a definitive feasibility study based on an M&I resource of 11.1 Mt at a grade of 1.41 g/t for 503 koz of gold contained. Inferred resources add 175 koz of gold contained. The open pit project is expected to produce 25 koz/y of gold over a 9-year life (100% basis).
The company is working to complete the feasibility study by year end and in parallel, is in discussions with its funding partner, A-MCS, to finalise the US$20 million of capital required to commence construction of the Mpokoto project.
Armadale confirms processing route for Mpokoto oxides; feasibility imminent: ACP