Aurizon Mines Ltd.: Preliminary Metallurgical Testwork at Marban Indicates Favourable Gold Recoveries
April 24 2012 - 7:30AM
Marketwired
Aurizon Mines Ltd. (TSX:ARZ)(NYSE Amex:AZK) is pleased to announce
the results of preliminary metallurgical testing for two composite
samples from the Marban property conducted by SGS Mineral Services.
Ore cyanidation testing produced results ranging from 95.4% to
97.6% gold recoveries. The Marban property is located in the
Malartic gold camp in the Abitibi Region of Quebec.
Two gold-bearing composite samples were examined at the SGS
Mineral Services. The #1 composite, containing an assay grade of
1.24 grams of gold per tonne, was designed to test the
metallurgical response of a lower grade envelope. The #2 composite,
containing an assay grade of 4.59 grams of gold per tonne, was
designed to test the metallurgical response of a higher grade
envelope. After 48 hours, gold recoveries ranged from 95.4% to
97.6% for composite #1 and 95.7% to 97.3% for composite #2. Finer
grinding typically increased the gold recovery at the cost of
higher cyanide consumption.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table #1 Ore cyanidation recovery results
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Size P80 Recovery 24 hours Recovery 48 hours Calculated Head
Sample (micron) (%) (%) grade (g/t Au)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 1 173 86.0 95.4 1.19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 1 83 87.2 96.5 1.15
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 1 62 86.5 97.6 1.24
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 2 153 76.6 95.7 4.95
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 2 82 83.6 97.3 4.82
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 2 62 76.2 97.0 4.90
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gravity separation testing on the #1 composite showed a 41.3%
Gravity Recoverable Gold (GRG). Gravity separation testing on the
#2 composite showed a 56.5% GRG. The combination of gravity
recovery and cyanidation of the gravity tail did not increase the
overall gold recovery. This demonstrates that while this concept
could be beneficial from a plant design perspective, gravity
recovery is not essential to obtaining good recoveries from these
two composites.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Table #2 Gravity recovery
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calculated Head
GRG (Gravity Gravity concentrate grade
Samples Recoverable Gold) (%) grade (g/t) (g/t Au)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 1 41.3 756 1.03
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Comp. 2 56.5 4061 4.19
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bond ball mill testing indicated that the two composites fell in
the medium-soft to medium range of hardness compared to the SGS
database (10.1-10.9 kWh/t).
While this test work is preliminary in nature and has only been
performed on two composite samples, the Company is very pleased
with these initial results which suggest high gold recoveries
utilizing conventional processes.
Testing on the residue samples from composite #1 and #2 suggests
that acid generation is highly unlikely to occur from these
samples.
Aurizon can earn up to a 65% interest the Marban Block property
under the terms of an option agreement dated July 5, 2010 between
NioGold Mining Corporation ("Niogold") and Aurizon. The initial 50%
interest can be earned by incurring expenditures of C$20 million
over three years, completing an updated NI 43-101 compliant mineral
resource estimate, and by making a resource payment for 50% of the
total gold ounces defined by the mineral resource estimate. NioGold
is the project operator during the initial earn-in period (see news
release dated July 6, 2010).
Qualified Person and Quality Control
Samples selection, collection and preparation was conducted
under the supervision of Yan Ducharme, M.Sc., P.Geo. (OGQ),
Niogold's Exploration Manager and a Qualified Person as defined by
National Instrument 43-101.
Information regarding the metallurgical testwork has been
prepared by or under the supervision of Simon Lacasse, eng, Project
Officer - Metallurgy of Aurizon Mines Ltd. and a Qualified Person
as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Aurizon
Aurizon is a gold producer with a growth strategy focused on
developing its existing projects in the Abitibi region of
north-western Quebec, one of the world's most favourable mining
jurisdictions and prolific gold and base metal regions, and by
increasing its asset base through accretive transactions. Aurizon
shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "ARZ"
and on the NYSE Amex under the symbol "AZK". Additional information
on Aurizon and its properties is available on Aurizon's website at
www.aurizon.com.
Forward Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and
"forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable
securities regulations in Canada and the United States
(collectively, "forward-looking information"). The forward-looking
information contained in this news release is made as of the date
of this news release. Except as required under applicable
securities legislation, the Company does not intend, and does not
assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking
information.
Specifically, this news release contains forward-looking
information regarding metallurgical testworks with respect to gold
recoveries and acid generation on the Marban property.
Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based
on certain assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable,
including the assumptions that the current price of and demand for
gold will be sustained or will improve. However, forward-looking
information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the Company to be materially different from any
future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by
the forward-looking information. Such factors include, among
others, the risk that actual results of exploration activities and
test work will be different than anticipated, that required
supplies, equipment or personnel will not be available or will not
be available on a timely basis or that the cost of labour,
equipment or supplies will increase more than expected, that the
future price of gold will decline, that the Canadian dollar will
strengthen against the U.S. dollar, that mineral resources are not
as estimated, that actual costs or actual results of reclamation
activities are greater than expected; that changes in project
parameters as plans continue to be refined may result in increased
costs, of accidents, labour disputes and other risks generally
associated with exploration, unanticipated delays in obtaining
governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of
exploration activities, as well as those factors and other risks
more fully described in Aurizon's Annual Information Form filed
with the securities commission of all of the provinces and
territories of Canada and in Aurizon's Annual Report on Form 40-F
filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission,
which are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and on EDGAR at
www.sec.gov/. Although the Company has attempted to identify
important factors that could cause actual actions, events or
results to differ materially from those described in
forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause
actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking
information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future
events could differ materially from those anticipated in such
statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on
forward-looking information due to the inherent uncertainty
thereof.
U.S. Registration (File 001-31893)
Contacts: Aurizon Mines Ltd. George Paspalas President & CEO
604-687-6600 Aurizon Mines Ltd. Martin Bergeron Vice President
Operations 819-874-4511 Aurizon Mines Ltd. Investor
Relationsjennifer.north@aurizon.com Aurizon Mines Ltd. 604-687-6600
or Toll Free: 1-800-411-GOLD (4653) 604-687-3932
(FAX)info@aurizon.com www.aurizon.com
Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK)
Historical Stock Chart
From May 2024 to Jun 2024
Aurizon Mines (AMEX:AZK)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2023 to Jun 2024