Kutcho Copper Recovers 94.5% Copper and 89.3% Zinc in Metallurgical Locked Cycle Test Results for the Esso Lens
November 21 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. These latest results show improved
copper, zinc and silver recoveries, higher concentrate grades and
improved separation of copper and zinc into their respective
concentrates. 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.
Leading up to recent Locked Cycle Tests
extensive mineralogical evaluations carried out on drill core
composites by QEMSCAN have been completed and incorporated into
block models to fully quantify and characterize the mineralization
in terms of mineral abundance important to controlling
metallurgical performance. The study allowed the Company to
accurately define copper deportment and speciation (chalcopyrite
and bornite) and pyrite content as well as head grades reflective
of the Measured and Indicated resource grade. This gives the
Company an added measure of confidence in the metallurgical results
and their representation of the Esso lens.
The results were produced from a recent Locked
Cycle Test completed on Esso lens material which is contemplated to
be processed at a 50:50 blended ratio with Main lens material
during the mid-years of production at the Kutcho Project. These
results, in combination with those provided in the September 11,
2019 news release, demonstrate the robust nature of the developed
Kutcho flowsheet.
The recoveries of copper and zinc to their
respective concentrates have improved significantly over the 2017
Pre-feasibility study (PFS) Life of Mine (LOM) results, including
improved zinc concentrate grades and the rejection of zinc from the
copper concentrate, to generate a cleaner, higher value copper
concentrate, as shown in the tables below. Silver recovery was also
significantly improved.
2019
Locked Cycle Test Results |
|
Esso Lens
Composite |
Product |
Wt. |
Grade |
Recovery |
|
(%) |
Cu(%) |
Zn(%) |
Au(g/t) |
Ag(g/t) |
Cu(%) |
Zn(%) |
Au(%) |
Ag(%) |
Cu concentrate |
8.8 |
27.9 |
4.45 |
4.57 |
565 |
94.5 |
7.1 |
40.8 |
71.2 |
Zn concentrate |
8.4 |
0.62 |
58.2 |
|
|
2.0 |
89.3 |
|
|
Feed (Esso Lens Comp) |
100 |
2.60 |
5.50 |
1.00 |
70 |
|
|
|
|
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 |
|
|
|
|
“We are extremely pleased with the metallurgical
performance from our composite from the Esso deposit. We are
looking forward to including these improved results in our upcoming
Feasibility Study, where we believe they will have a positive
impact on the economics of the Kutcho project,” said Vince Sorace,
President & CEO of Kutcho Copper.
The flowsheet utilized for the Esso material
bench scale test work is the same simplified flowsheet utilized for
the Main deposit as reported in the September 11, 2019 news
release. 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. The currently contemplated process
plant design incorporates a primary grind size target of 75 microns
K80. 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 did not require a
regrind. The total mass of material which will be subject to finer
grinding is less than 20% of the anticipated mill feed.
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.
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