Mining
Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 3:51 pm EDT
Key Points
- Encouraging Metallurgical Results: Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. has reported positive metallurgical results from the Nuton phase 1 column leach program at the Cactus copper porphyry project in Arizona, USA. The company’s President and CEO, George Ogilvie, expresses encouragement at the extraction rates achieved from primary and secondary sulphides using Nuton technologies. These results demonstrate a continued improvement in extraction rates compared to previous reports in June.
- Nutron’s Heap Leaching Technology Potential: The Nuton heap leaching technology is considered a potential solution to access the currently stranded primary mineral resource while enhancing copper extraction rates from enriched material. The company plans to integrate Nuton’s flow sheet into the planned Cactus heap leach and SXEW flow sheet. With a Commercial Framework Agreement in place and the completion of the Phase 1 test program, Arizona Sonoran Copper Company aims to incorporate improved extraction rates into an updated technical study, complementing the base case Preliminary Feasibility Study (PFS) expected in Q1 2024.
- Phase 2 Plans and Exploration: The Phase 1 scope involves testing Cactus sulphides using Nuton additives within a traditional heap leach and SXEW mining flow sheet. Pending a Commercial Framework Agreement, plans for a Phase 2 column leach program are underway, designed to test and mitigate opportunities and threats identified in Phase 1. A total of 23 small column leach tests on various ore types, including the Life of Asset Blend, have been completed or are in progress. Preliminary results indicate the potential for significantly enhanced chalcopyrite extraction, particularly at elevated temperatures. The company is focused on optimizing conditions to consistently exceed 80% extraction rates and will continue to analyze residue samples for further insights.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc. has released metallurgical results from the Nuton phase 1 column leach program from Arizona Sonoran’s Cactus copper porphyry project in Arizona, United States.
George Ogilvie, Arizona Sonoran Copper Company President and CEO commented, “We are encouraged by the extraction rates resulting from our primary and secondary sulphides using the Nuton technologies. These results demonstrate a continued extraction rate improvement from the columns reported in June. Nuton’s heap leaching technology is a potential solution to gain access to our currently stranded primary mineral resource while also incrementally improving the copper extraction rates from the enriched material. Particularly interesting to ASCU, is that Nuton’s flow sheet could be integrated into the planned Cactus heap leach and SXEW flow sheet. With a successfully negotiated Commercial Framework Agreement in place and a completed Phase 1 test program, we would seek to coordinate the improved extraction rates into an updated and expanded technical study, complementing the base case PFS anticipated in Q1 2024 and demonstrating economies of scale.”
The Phase 1 scope includes column testing the Cactus sulphides, primary and enriched, using the proprietary Nuton additives for consideration within a traditional heap leach and SXEW mining flow sheet. Testing included a variety of conditions, including operating temperatures and additive schemes. Pending the completion of a Commercial Framework Agreement, Nuton and ASCU are currently planning a Phase 2 column leach program. Phase 2 would be designed to test and/or mitigate opportunities and threats identified under the Phase 1 test program.
On the Cactus deposit, a total of 23 small column leach tests (3 ft | 1 m) on 10 ore types, plus a Life of Asset (LoA) Blend, are currently completed or in progress. Preliminary test work results indicate that using Nuton additives at elevated temperatures have the potential to significantly enhance chalcopyrite extraction in the LoA blend and the other primary sulphide ore types, as evidenced in FIGURES 1 and 2. The highest copper extraction achieved to date for the LoA Blend is 80% (FIGURE 3). Condition optimizations, including a higher temperature control for the LoA blend is currently underway, with the target of consistently exceeding 80% extraction rates. Acid consumption for the primary sulfide ores ranges from 10 to 60 kg/t. For the higher acid consuming ores, increasing the pH appears to have a positive effect on acid consumption, but also a negative impact on the rate of copper extraction. Nuton will continue to analyze residue samples that may yield further insights. Copper extractions from the secondary sulfide dominant ore types at elevated temperatures are very high, ranging from 86% to 98%. These ores contain very little reactive gangue, consequently most of the ore types are net acid generators.
Please refer to press release dated June 5, 2023 for Sample Location and Preparation.
Qualified Persons Statement
Technical aspects related to the metallurgical program of this news release have been reviewed and verified by James L. Sorensen – FAusIMM Reg. No. 221286 with Samuel Engineering, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101- Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The indicative metallurgical information presented describes preliminary results from testing that is currently in progress and subject to confirmation. Final metallurgical performance estimates will require decommissioning of the columns and analysis of the column residues.
About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company ( www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com )
ASCU’s objective is to become a mid-tier copper producer with low operating costs and to develop the Cactus and Parks/Salyer Projects that could generate robust returns for investors and provide a long term sustainable and responsible operation for the community and all stakeholders. The Company’s principal asset is a 100% interest in the Cactus Project (former ASARCO, Sacaton mine) which is situated on private land in an infrastructure-rich area of Arizona. Contiguous to the Cactus Project is the Company’s 100%-owned Parks/Salyer deposit that could allow for a phased expansion of the Cactus Mine once it becomes a producing asset. The Company is led by an executive management team and Board which have a long-standing track record of successful project delivery in North America complemented by global capital markets expertise.
We seek Safe Harbor.
