Kutcho Copper Recovers up to 92.3% Copper and 84.2% Zinc in Metallurgical Locked Cycle Test Results, improving on Pre-feasibi...
September 11 2019 - 8:00AM
Kutcho Copper Corp. (TSXV: KC) (OTC: KCCFF)
(“Kutcho Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results
of ongoing metallurgical testing on its 100% owned Kutcho Project
in British Columbia, Canada. This test program is part of the
work completed or underway that is designed to support completion
of a Feasibility Study for the Kutcho Project.
The results were produced from recent Locked
Cycle Tests completed on composites representing a range of
proposed process plant feed material characteristics found within
the Main Lens of the Kutcho Project, including sulphur content,
copper grade and copper mineralogy. The 2019 Kutcho Composite “A”
compares favourably with the updated 2018 Measured and Indicated
resource in terms of both precious and base metal grades and total
sulphur (pyrite content) which more closely approximates the known
average sulphur content and respective metallurgical
response. Composite “B” represents complex material
containing higher sulphur content (as pyrite) compared to the
updated resource model. Material tested is originated from the 2018
infill drill program from the Main lens and represent the current
bounds of understanding for the Kutcho Project.
The recoveries of copper and zinc to their
respective concentrates have improved significantly over the 2017
Pre-feasibility (PFS) Life of Mine (LOM) results including improved
zinc concentrate grades and the rejection of zinc from the copper
concentrate, as shown in the tables below. Silver performance
was also significantly improved. Selected copper and zinc
concentrates produced from the 2019 cycle tests were analysed for
minor trace metallic elements and were found to be free of
impurities which would typically attract smelter penalties.
2019
Locked Cycle Test Results |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Lens
Composite A |
|
|
|
|
|
Product |
Weight |
Grade |
Recovery |
|
(%) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (%) |
Ag (%) |
Cu concentrate |
7.5 |
26.6 |
4.7 |
2.8 |
347 |
92.3 |
9.7 |
36 |
71 |
Zn concentrate |
5.1 |
0.9 |
59.7 |
|
|
2.1 |
84.2 |
|
|
Feed (Composite A) |
100 |
2.2 |
3.6 |
0.6 |
37 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Main Lens
Composite B |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product |
Weight |
Grade |
Recovery |
|
(%) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (%) |
Ag (%) |
Cu concentrate |
5.5 |
27.1 |
6.0 |
2.1 |
306 |
82.6 |
17.4 |
32 |
49 |
Zn concentrate |
2.0 |
0.9 |
58.6 |
|
|
1.0 |
63.2 |
|
|
Feed (Composite B) |
100 |
1.8 |
1.9 |
0.4 |
34 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
|
|
|
|
2017 PFS
LOM Metallurgical Parameters (for comparison) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Product |
Weight |
Grade |
Recovery |
|
(%) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (g/t) |
Ag (g/t) |
Cu (%) |
Zn (%) |
Au (%) |
Ag (%) |
Cu concentrate |
6.2 |
27.6 |
7.3 |
2.5 |
269 |
84.7 |
14.0 |
41 |
48 |
Zn concentrate |
4.4 |
1.2 |
55.1 |
|
|
2.6 |
75.7 |
|
|
Feed |
100 |
2.0 |
3.2 |
0.4 |
35 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
100 |
“We are extremely pleased with the progress and
results of the recently completed metallurgical test program. We
have undertaken comprehensive work investigating multiple avenues
to improve copper recoveries, concentrate quality, and advance our
mineralogical understanding of the deposit. This comprehensive
knowledge and data will feed directly into the Feasibility Study.”
said Vince Sorace, President & CEO of Kutcho Copper.
The flowsheet utilized in the 2019 bench scale
test work recently completed at Base Metallurgical Laboratories in
Kamloops, BC (BaseMet) has also simplified the processing scheme in
that a single stage of flotation cleaning has been used in the
copper circuit and only two stages of flotation cleaning were
required in the zinc circuit. A thorough review of the
historical Kutcho metallurgical test work was undertaken as part of
this program. The batch test work leading up to the cycle
testing utilized several procedures found to be successful in the
past work and a number of new procedures were also incorporated in
this year’s work. The primary grind size used in the test
work program based on the recent comminution and mineralogical data
is a target of 75 microns K80, which was achieved in the test
work. Regrinding was utilized in both the copper and
zinc circuits with the copper cleaning circuit regrind being
approximately 15 microns K80 and the zinc cleaning circuit regrind
being approximately 20 microns K80. These target parameters
were identified in the mineralogical assessments conducted on the
feed samples and the test work results confirmed those
findings. The total mass of material which will be subject to
finer grinding is less than 20% of the anticipated mill feed.
The 2019 metallurgical program at BaseMet is
ongoing, with variability composites selected to provide better
definition to metallurgical drivers which will enhance the link
between the prediction of metallurgical performance and mine
planning in the Feasibility Study. In preparation for this work, a
comprehensive mineralogical study is under way to determine the
variability of abundance of the copper sulfide minerals,
principally chalcopyrite and bornite, as well as the major sulfide,
pyrite. The zinc carrier is predominantly sphalerite.
Qualified Person
Tom Shouldice, Chief Executive Officer of Base
Metallurgical Laboratories is a professional metallurgical engineer
with over 20 years of experience in mineral processing. His
relevant experience includes plant operations, project management,
engineering and all aspects of metallurgical testing. Tom
specializes in flotation and mineralogical interpretation in
relation to metallurgical response. Mr. Shouldice is a “Qualified
Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of
Disclosure for Mineral Projects” of the Canadian Securities
Administrators and has reviewed and approved this press
release.
Rory Kutluoglu, B.Sc. P.Geo., a “Qualified
Person” as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has read and
approved all technical and scientific information contained in this
news release. Mr. Kutluoglu is the Company’s Vice President,
Exploration & Development.
About Kutcho Copper Corp.
Kutcho Copper Corp. is a Canadian resource
development company focused on expanding and developing the Kutcho
high grade copper-zinc project in northern British Columbia.
Committed to social responsibility and the highest environmental
standards, the Company intends to progress the Kutcho Project
through feasibility and permitting to a positive construction
decision.
Vince Sorace President & CEO, Kutcho Copper Corp.
For further information regarding Kutcho Copper
Corp., please email info@kutcho.ca or visit our website at
www.kutcho.ca.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements
Neither the 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 release.
This news release contains certain statements
that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” with respect to the
Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws.
Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical
facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words
“expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”, “believes”, “intends”,
“estimates”, “projects”, “potential”, “indicates”, “opportunity”,
“possible” and similar expressions, or that events or conditions
“will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur. Although Kutcho
Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking
statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are
not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and
uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ
materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such
material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to,
the Company’s ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its
obligations under its property agreements going forward, to
maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to
explore and develop the Kutcho project or its other projects, to
repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in
economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards
associates with mineral exploration and mining operations, future
prices of copper and other metals, changes in general economic
conditions, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the
potential for new discoveries, the potential to convert inferred
resources to indicated or measured resources, the potential to
optimize the mine plan, the ability of the Company to obtain the
necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and
develop the Kutcho project and if obtained, to obtain such permits
and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company’s plans
and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of
the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in
environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an
impact on the Company’s operations, compliance with environmental
laws and regulations, aboriginal title claims and rights to
consultation and accommodation, dependence on key management
personnel and general competition in the mining industry.
Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs,
estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the
statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company
undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements
in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or
other factors, should change.
Kutcho Copper (TSXV:KC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024
Kutcho Copper (TSXV:KC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024