22/07/2011 6:18:00 AM - News Release
Mr. Fredy Salazar reports
SALAZAR REPORTS GOLD-SILVER MINERALOGICAL STUDY OF EL DOMO VMS DEPOSIT
Salazar Resources Ltd. has provided an update on the progress of a precious metals mineralogical study of the El Domo volcanogenic massive sulphide deposit being carried out by Surface Science Western (SSW) in London, Ont., under the supervision of Kevin Scott, PEng, of Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (RPA).
Previous metallurgical test work by G&T Metallurgical Services Ltd. (G&T) completed in February, 2011, indicated precious metals reported to copper and zinc flotation concentrates; however, overall gold and silver recoveries were lower than anticipated. A separate mineralogical analysis has been completed by SSW to determine all major carriers and forms of gold and silver in order to better understand what improvements can be made to recover more gold and silver.
The gold and silver deportment study was completed by Surface Science Western (SSW) on the same master composite sample used in the G&T tests at a grind fineness of 80 per cent passing 91 micrometres. The results indicate that gold occurs in two forms: microscopic (visible) and submicroscopic gold. The analysis shows that 61.3 per cent of the gold was visible (free) gold while 38.7 per cent was submicroscopic gold. The gold contained in the sample assayed 4.855 grams per tonne.
Most of the visible gold grains are fully liberated or exposed. Where the gold grains are attached to other minerals, it is most commonly with pyrite. Over 90 per cent of the free gold was in the size range of five micrometres to 150 micrometres and is considered amenable to gravity recovery which has yet to be tested to in the metallurgical lab.
The submicroscopic gold was detected and quantified by dynamic secondary ion mass spectrometry (D-SIMS) instrument. This gold is refractory gold -- it is locked within the crystalline structure of the mineral. The mineral pyrite was found to contain 33.1 per cent of the total gold. Other main minerals containing submicroscopic gold include chalcopyrite (3.7 per cent of the total), bornite (0.3 per cent of the total) and sphalerite (1.3 per cent of the total).
The submicroscopic gold contained in pyrite will not be appreciably recovered by flotation; however, the gold contained in the other minerals would be recovered in copper and zinc concentrates.
All of the silver in the sample occurs in the submicroscopic form only. The silver contained in the sample assayed 65.4 grams per tonne. Pyrite was found to contain 48.9 per cent of the total. Other minerals containing submicroscopic silver include chalcopyrite (13.3 per cent of the total), bornite (21.0 per cent of the total), sphalerite (6.1 per cent of the total) and galena (1.1 per cent of the total). A total of 8.2 per cent of the silver was unaccounted for and may be related to other minerals while 1.1 per cent was associated with gold particles and 1.4 per cent is contained with minor minerals.
The submicroscopic silver contained in pyrite will not be appreciably recovered by flotation; however, the silver contained in most of the other minerals, up to 51 per cent according to this study, would likely be recovered in various concentrates.
Fredy Salazar says, "The company is highly encouraged with the results of the SSW study."
Surface Science Western is a research laboratory at the University of Western Ontario, in London, Ont., providing one of the most comprehensively equipped surface analytical laboratories in Canada. SSW offers a variety of analytical services to the mining industry related to the characterization and processing of value minerals.
This press release has been reviewed by Mr. Scott, PEng, principal metallurgist, RPA, who is a qualified person as defined by NI 43-101 standards.
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