- Southern Cross Gold (ASX:SXG) confirms the economic potential of its Sunday Creek project following a successful initial metallurgical test program
- The test work was carried out on two drill holes at Sunday Creek in Victoria, Australia
- The program established a robust flow sheet for the project, proposing gravity separation of gold, followed by bulk or sequential flotation of gold and sulphides
- This method yielded high recoveries of both gold and antimony, with recovery by gravity separation and flotation resulting in 93.3 – 97.6 per cent recovery of gold
- SXG shares last traded at $1.18
Southern Cross Gold (ASX:SXG) has confirmed the economic potential of its Sunday Creek project, thanks to a successful initial metallurgical test program.
The program, conducted on two drill holes at Sunday Creek in Victoria, Australia, has established a robust flow sheet for the project.
This involves gravity separation of gold, followed by either bulk or sequential flotation of gold and sulphides.
Both methods yielded high recoveries of gold and antimony.
Gravity separation and flotation combined achieved 93.3-97.6 per cent gold recovery. Bulk flotation, excluding gravity concentrate, also achieved 88.9-95.0 per cent gold recovery across two products: an antimony concentrate and a sulphide concentrate.
The test work also shed light on the nature of native gold at Sunday Creek, revealing its non-refractory nature with 82-84 per cent native gold observed through mineralogical investigations.
Management comment
“A key aspect of any mineral discovery is to test early for metallurgical performance,” SXG Managing Director Michael Hudson said.
“In this extremely strong initial result, we have demonstrated both the highly non-refractory and free nature of the gold at Sunday Creek, along with a robust flow sheet with high recoverability of both gold and antimony via industry-standard gravity and flotation methods.
“The products produced are anticipated to be readily saleable, with good payabilities.”
Independent metallurgical consultants AMML conducted the test work at its Gosford, NSW facilities, recording an overall 90.9 per cent gold recovery at the Rising Sun prospect and a 96.9 per cent recovery rate at the Apollo prospect.
The company plans to continue test work, including a geometallurgy study to optimise metallurgical results and different feed types, while simultaneously investigating the various types of mineralisation present beneath the surface.
SXG shares last traded at $1.18.