Bellhaven Copper & Gold (BHV-V) Sept 21, '16 is pleased to announce the results from the desktop optimization study completed by InterPro Development Inc. (Lakewood, Colorado) highlighting the potential for improved gold and copper recoveries for the Company's 100%-controlled La Mina Project, Colombia. The Study results show the potential for 93% gold extraction and 91% copper extraction compared to lower values of 90% and 88%, respectively, incorporated in the 2013 preliminary economic assessment (the "PEA").
Dr. Paul Zweng, Bellhaven's CEO and Chairman, commented as follows:
"These incremental improvements in the gold and copper recoveries are positive for the potential of our flagship La Mina project as higher recoveries should yield higher metal production. These results also help to de-risk the project as metallurgical issues all too often plague mineral projects. We look forward to verifying these results by conducting large-scale locked-cycle metallurgical testing as we move La Mina forward."
Metallurgical Optimization Study
Bellhaven engaged Research Development Inc. (Denver, Colorado) to conduct the initial metallurgical test work for the La Cantera and Middle Zone prospects at La Mina. The study determined that favorable recoveries of metals could be gained by deploying standard milling and flotation practices to produce a marketable gold-, silver-, and copper-bearing concentrate. These metallurgical test results were summarized in a news release dated November 15, 2011 and formed the basis for incorporating metallurgical recoveries of 90% for gold and 88% for copper shown in Table 15.3 of the 2013 PEA for La Mina (see SEDAR filing dated November 7, 2013).
It was realized after the conclusion of the PEA that opportunities existed to enhance potential gold recoveries by (1) direct cyanide leaching of the second cleaner tails, (2) ultrafine grinding of the second cleaner tails followed by cyanide leaching, (3) bioleaching of the second cleaner tails followed by cyanide leaching, and (4) further refining of the flotation process without the use of cyanide. The fourth option was particularly intriguing because it offered the possibility for increasing both gold and copper recoveries and doing so without deploying cyanide. The Study reviewed the four options on a preliminary basis and did not undertake additional metallurgical test work.
After conducting its investigation of the four options outlined above, InterPro determined that gold recoveries could be increased through the cyanide leaching of the second cleaner tails (Options 1, 2, and 3). Examination of Option 4 (further refining of the flotation process without the use of cyanide) determined that both gold and copper recoveries could be increased by adding a scavenger circuit after the rougher flotation cells to treat the rougher tails (where gold and copper are lost). The scavenger concentrate would then be piped to the cleaner flotation cells. Following the cleaner flotation process (where gold and copper are also lost), the cleaner flotation tails would then be routed to a re-grinding circuit to liberate additional gold- and copper-bearing sulfide minerals, which would again be passed back to the rougher flotation circuit. Option 4 essentially adds additional flotation time and more grinding to the overall processing plan. The addition of these steps to the process should increase the copper recovery from 88% (as used in the PEA) to 91% and increase the gold recovery from 90% (as used in the PEA) to 93%. InterPro is of the opinion that these recoveries can be incorporated into a future, updated NI 43-101 resource estimate and PEA for the La Mina project. Two significant impacts of Option 4 elevating gold and copper recoveries are (1) no cyanide will be required to attain additional gold or copper recoveries, and (2) little additional capital will be required to the processing plant outlined in the 2013 PEA.
The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Mr. Thomas J. Drown, P.Geo. Mr. Drown has more than 25 years relevant experience and is a British Colombia Professional Geoscientist. He has been a senior project geologist with the Company at the La Mina Project and serves as the qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
Mr. Gregory Chlumsky, Principal for InterPro, and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the process and economic information contained in this release.
About Bellhaven
Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc. is a Canadian-listed (TSX-V: BHV) exploration company exploring for gold and copper in Colombia. The Company's goal is to be a leader in gold and copper development in Colombia. Bellhaven focuses on discovery, acquisition and development of high-quality resources in a safe and responsible manner for the benefit of all of its stakeholders.The Company's flagship project is the La Mina gold-(copper) porphyry deposit in the Middle Cauca belt of Colombia. The Company is currently seeking to develop and to grow these resources through mine development and through ongoing exploration on the La Mina concession. For more information regarding Bellhaven, please visit our website at www.bellhavencg.com.
SOURCE Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc.
Image with caption: "Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc. (CNW Group/Bellhaven Copper & Gold Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20160921_C4505_PHOTO_EN_777897.jpg
Corporate Contact:
Dr. Paul L. Zweng, CEO and Chairman,
Tel: (808) 377-1947,
pzweng@gmail.com
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