Copper 360 Shatters Expectations: High Copper Recovery and Grades

Copper 360 Limited (formerly Big Tree Copper Limited) has unveiled exceptional results from the metallurgical test work conducted on drill core samples from the esteemed Rietberg Copper Mine. The findings, carried out by SGS Metallurgy and Mineralogy Division, have surpassed all expectations, revealing remarkable copper recovery rates and concentrate grades.

Surpassing their planned target of 80%, Copper 360 achieved an impressive copper recovery rate of over 90% at a particle size of 80% passing 75 microns. Furthermore, after just one cleaning step, the concentrate grade obtained from the tests exceeded 48%, which is significantly higher than the industry average of 25%.

This breakthrough marks a significant milestone for Copper 360 as it signifies the company’s ability to recover more copper while utilizing less energy, resulting in a higher concentration of copper in the recovered concentrate. The positive outcome is expected to have a profound impact on the company’s financial performance, particularly in relation to the new processing plant currently under construction.

To conduct the test work on a representative sample of the Rietberg orebody (Project 22/2781), Copper 360 engaged the expertise of SGS. The sample, prepared under the supervision of Dr. Deon Tobias Vermaakt, a distinguished geology expert, was extracted from four core boreholes twinned parallel to historical drilling, ensuring the validation of the existing historical database.

Preliminary batch test results released by SGS revealed exceptional recoveries exceeding 90% at grinding sizes of both 80% passing 75 microns and 80% passing 45 microns. The impressive results were achieved using SIBX as a collector and DOW200 as a frother. Comparative test work utilizing the site’s process water, with PAX as a collector and MIBC as a frother, showed a slight improvement in recovery rates. Further analysis and variability test work are currently underway at SGS to refine the results.

During the test work, SGS prepared two rougher concentrates (Tests 4 and 5) for cleaning purposes. Test 4, with a 20-minute residence time, yielded a mass pull of 8.4% and a remarkable copper grade of 22.6%. Subsequent cleaning for 9 minutes further improved the concentrate, resulting in a mass pull of 3.84% and an impressive final copper grade of 48.7%. Test 5, conducted over a shorter period, demonstrated a lower mass pull but a higher copper grade of 32.9%. Cleaning this concentrate yielded an exceptional 49.2% copper content.

The metallurgical test results have not only confirmed the historical data but have also highlighted the immense potential for high recoveries and concentrate grades from the Namaqualand Copper Belt ores. Copper 360 intends to base its reagent selection for flotation on factors such as availability, price, and ease of handling. To ensure optimal efficiency, the company has partnered with Tailing Technology for the supply of flotation cells and mechanisms required for the process.