Mechanical Sorting Generates Encouraging Results at Karratha
January 31 2019 - 07:39AM
Novo Resources Corp. (“
Novo” or
the “
Company”) (TSX-V: NVO; OTCQX: NSRPF) is
pleased to announce it has received encouraging results from
initial testing of mechanical rock sorting of gold-bearing
conglomerate from its Karratha gold project.
As discussed in the Company’s news releases dated
November 19 and December 20, 2018, the potential viability of
mechanical rock sorting was tested by subjecting four bulk samples
(see Figure 1 below for sample locations) to crushing, screening,
and sorting using a TOMRA mechanical rock sorter. Sorted rock
concentrates of very small volume were generated returning high
gold contents.
Assays of the sorted waste material, undersize (-6
mm) fraction and oversize fraction (+63 mm) have returned allowing
for further evaluation of this technique (please refer to Table 1
below).
- Samples KX234 and KX237 generated
81.1% and 89.4% recovery of gold, respectively, from the 6-63 mm
fraction that was sorted. These recoveries are considered very
encouraging considering these tests are first pass and
un-optimized. Interestingly, the best recovery is from the lowest
grade sample, KX237.
- Although samples KX235 and KX236
generated lower recoveries, the fine (-6 mm) unsorted fraction of
each of these samples displays higher grade than the respective
calculated head grade. Novo believes the well-oxidized, crumbly
nature of the rock comprising these bulk samples may have played a
role in lower recoveries. Gold particles appear to have
preferentially reported to the fines rather than remain
encapsulated in rock that was sorted. Such oxidation persists to
about 1-2 m below surface at Karratha. Below this level, Novo
believes the targeted conglomerate will be harder and less
crumbly.
- Sorter tailings commonly display
gravity recoveries of gold of over 50% indicating significant
coarse gold remains in this material. Novo believes crushing to
somewhat finer size, perhaps 50 mm, may improve sorter recoveries
because X-rays will more readily penetrate smaller rock particles
making it easier for the mechanical sorter to identify gold
particles.
- Although testing was conducted on rock
particles down to 6 mm size, further work is needed to determine
the lowest range of particle size that can effectively be sorted.
Further crush testing is also required in order to determine means
of minimizing generation of fines and maximizing the fraction of
material that can be sorted.
- Gravity recoveries of gold from the
undersize (-6 mm) fraction of the four bulk samples tested during
this study range between 44%-64%. This data suggests gravity
recovery of gold from unsorted fines may be a viable treatment
option.
- Novo considers mechanical sorting a
potentially low cost means of concentrating gold that is
particularly suitable for the nuggety conglomerates Novo is
exploring in the Pilbara. Novo is currently undertaking a thorough
review of recent mechanical sorting test data to determine means of
optimizing crushing and sorting and what further testing is
needed.
Table 1 –
TOMRA mechanical rock sorting results from four Karratha bulk
samples.
Sample ID |
Mass (kg) |
Size Fraction |
Size Fraction as % of Total Mass |
Mass of Sorter Concentrate (kg) |
Mass of Sorter Concentrate as % of Total Mass |
Gold Grade of Sorter Concentrate (gpt) |
Gold Grade of Unsorted Material (gpt) |
Gold Grade of Sorter Tails (gpt) |
Stage Recovery of Sorter (%) |
Gold Distribution to Sorter Concentrate
(%) |
Calculated Head Grade of Sample (gpt) |
KX234 |
5460 |
greater than 63
mm |
2.3% |
|
- |
- |
- |
5.18 |
- |
|
|
2.97 |
6 to 63 mm |
67.2% |
|
13.5 |
0.25% |
792.4 |
- |
0.68 |
81.1% |
|
66.0% |
|
less than 6 mm |
30.6% |
|
- |
- |
- |
1.43 |
- |
|
|
KX235 |
3981 |
greater than 63 mm |
19.3% |
|
- |
- |
- |
0.21 |
- |
|
|
1.91 |
6 to 63 mm |
64.8% |
|
19.1 |
0.48% |
188.8 |
- |
1.01 |
58.1% |
|
47.5% |
|
less than 6 mm |
15.8% |
|
- |
- |
- |
1.95 |
- |
|
|
KX236 |
4205 |
greater than 63 mm |
9.6% |
|
- |
- |
- |
0.57 |
- |
|
|
1.40 |
6 to 63 mm |
61.5% |
|
13.0 |
0.31% |
92.1 |
- |
0.70 |
39.8% |
|
20.3% |
|
less than 6 mm |
28.9% |
|
- |
- |
- |
2.19 |
- |
|
|
KX237 |
4418 |
greater than 63 mm |
9.2% |
|
- |
- |
- |
0.17 |
- |
|
|
0.46 |
10 to 63 mm |
41.5% |
|
3.2 |
0.07% |
377.8 |
- |
0.08 |
89.4% |
|
60.3% |
|
less than 10 mm |
49.3% |
|
- |
- |
- |
0.27 |
- |
|
|
Size fractions in italics were too coarse or too fine
to be sorted |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reported masses may be slightly different to those
quoted in the Company's news release dated December 20, 2018
because materials were re-weighed at the assay laboratory |
|
|
"Novo is highly encouraged by initial
mechanical sorting results,” commented Rob Humphryson, CEO and
a Director of Novo. “Typically, mechanical sorting machines are
utilized to upgrade mineralization by sorting out waste. In this
case, gold is being directly and
effectively concentrated. Novo expects that optimizations
can be made to further enhance this means of
gold recovery."
Novo staff collected bulk samples discussed in this
news release. Bulk samples were crushed at Cook Industrial
Minerals in Perth, Australia prior to being shipped to TOMRA. Once
rock sorting was completed, the concentrate and smaller mass
tailings samples were submitted to MinAnalytical Laboratory
Services Australia in Perth, Australia for analysis via Photon
assay and fire assay. PhotonAssay methodologies are described in
Novo’s news release dated December 20, 2018. Larger tailings
samples were submitted to SGS Minerals in Perth, Australia where
they were treated in a test plant detailed in Novo’s news releases
dated February 6 and May 31, 2018. All assay certificates and head
grade calculations were provided by SGS and MinAnalytical, with the
calculations and head grades checked by Novo internal resources.
There were no limitations to the verification process and all
relevant data provided to date was verified.
Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P. Geo., the Company’s,
President, Chairman, Director, and a qualified person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101, has approved the geological content of
this news release.
About Novo Resources Corp.
Novo’s focus is to explore and develop gold
projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and Novo has
built up a significant land package covering approximately 12,000
sq km with varying ownership interests. For more information,
please contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or
e-mail leo@novoresources.com
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Novo Resources Corp.
“Quinton Hennigh”Quinton Hennigh President and
Chairman
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation
Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the
TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this news release.
Forward-looking information Some
statements in this news release contain forward-looking information
(within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation) including,
without limitation, statements as to planned exploration activities
and the expected timing of the receipt of results. These statements
address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known
and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause
the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially
different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include,
without limitation, customary risks of the mineral resource
industry as well as the performance of services by third
parties.
Figure 1 – Plan
map showing the location of samples KX234, KX235, KX236 and KX237.
Sample KX234 is material from the Lower Cannonball Conglomerate.
The remaining samples are from the Upper Cannonball
Conglomerate.
A PDF accompanying this announcement is available
at: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/8a75c28b-4501-4e84-a0a5-b66cc154c249
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