Confirms Exceptional Ore Sorting Viability at Korbel
Melbourne, Mar 15, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Nova Minerals Limited (
ASX:NVA) (QM3:FRA) (NVAAF:OTCMKTS) is pleased to advise that it has received highly encouraging results from further ore sorting test work on mineralization from its bulk tonnage Korbel Main deposit in Alaska, confirming the potential for this technology to significantly enhance the project.
Samples for this test work were selected from KBDH-005 and KBDH-025. These holes represent the discovery holes from the South-East extension drilled in 2020. The South-East extension will be explored further in the 2021 spring drilling campaign.
Both of these holes were sampled top to bottom and split into two lots. One lot was kept at the project in Alaska for back-up and future test work, and the second lot was sent to TOMRA in Castle Hill, Sydney for XRT Sorting (Photo 1). TOMRA then blended the material together and split them into two sub-lots of 588 kg each. TOMRA will keep one sub-lot for future test work; the second lot was run through the XRT Sorting Equipment.
Nova's CEO said the latest test work results provide a unique opportunity for Nova to ensure an optimum mine design, schedule & processing solution for the Korbel Main deposit.
"These latest results demonstrate the potential to considerably improve project economics. Significant increases in mine productivity could be achieved through the rejection of a considerable proportion of lower grade rock before processing. By using an XRT sort, we would prospectively reduce the volume of ore and lift the grade appreciably, rejecting lower grade material ahead of the milling and processing circuit. This would minimize energy requirements, tailings generation, and would lower processing costs overall.
This provides Nova with the opportunity to operate at a lower cut-off grade, and potentially increase the ounce per annum profile of the project. By utilising ore sorting, and increasing production efficiency through this now proven and increasingly used technology, Nova's environmental footprint could also be reduced, in line with our ESG strategy.
With the resource upgrade due imminently and the scoping study to follow suit, it is full steam ahead as we continue on our path to production."
-Christopher Gerteisen, CEO.
Brent Hilscher of ABH Engineering who is leading the ore sorting test work as well as the overall scoping study said:
"This deposit has a majority of its gold contained in discrete high grade sheeted vein rocks which are easily concentrated with existing DE- XRT ore sorting technologies. Once concentrated, we have several options to achieve higher gold recovery at a very low overall cost."
-Brent Hilscher, ABH Engineering.
Conclusion - Sensor based particle sorting tests on a 588kg sample confirmed the viability for it to be included in the upcoming Scoping Study. By concentrating the highest-grade rocks into a relatively small mass, Nova Minerals could create a high value material that is suited for high recovery extraction through to cyanidation. This method is intended to reduce cost per oz, lower cut-off grade, lower energy usages and increase gold production.
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https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/GU112FZ6
About Nova Minerals Limited
Nova Minerals Limited (ASX:NVA) (FRA:QM3) is a Gold, Antimony and Critical Minerals exploration and development company focused on advancing the Estelle Project, comprised of 514 km2 of State of Alaska mining claims, which contains multiple mining complexes across a 35 km long mineralized corridor of over 20 advanced Gold and Antimony prospects, including two already defined multi-million ounce resources, and several drill ready Antimony prospects with massive outcropping stibnite vein systems observed at surface. The 85% owned project is located 150 km northwest of Anchorage, Alaska, USA, in the prolific Tintina Gold Belt, a province which hosts a >220 million ounce (Moz) documented gold endowment and some of the world's largest gold mines and discoveries including, Barrick's Donlin Creek Gold Project and Kinross Gold Corporation's Fort Knox Gold Mine. The belt also hosts significant Antimony deposits and was a historical North American Antimony producer.
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