Power Metallic reports promising preliminary metallurgical results from Lion Zone
Power Metallic Mines Inc (TSX-V:PNPN, FRA:IVV1, OTCQB:PNPNF) has announced promising preliminary metallurgical results from test work conducted on mineralized material from its Lion zone, part of its polymetallic Nisk project in Quebec.
The testing, carried out by SGS Canada at laboratories in Quebec City, Quebec, and Lakefield, Ontario, included an initial locked-cycle flotation test on representative samples of Lion zone mineralization.
Power Metallic said the test produced a sulphide concentrate grading 25.8% copper, with reported recoveries of 98.9% for copper, 93.9% for palladium, 96.8% for platinum, 85% for gold and 88.9% for silver.
The Lion deposit comprises two mineralized zones, identified as a high-grade zone and a low-grade zone. For the metallurgical program, Power Metallic compiled drill core reject material that it said was spatially representative of mineralization across the deposit.
Three composites were prepared, which were a high-grade composite, a low-grade composite and a blended composite based on an approximate 50/50 ratio of the two. Initial sulphide flotation concentration tests conducted by SGS showed similar recovery characteristics across all three composites.
Based on those results, SGS selected the blended composite for a locked-cycle test, which the company described as a laboratory-scale simulation of a potential future mill circuit using conventional sulphide flotation.
SGS noted that during the locked-cycle test, the mineralization “demonstrated a strong floatation response.” “The test work demonstrates encouraging preliminary flotation performance and supports the potential suitability of the mineralization for a conventional flotation flowsheet,” SGS said in a statement.
“These results suggest potential opportunities for the transformation of the concentrate into value-added products, including advanced materials for various economic sectors such as battery and energy storage, electrification, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing.”
Power Metallic said the results will be used to update its copper-equivalent recovery assumptions. The company noted that earlier calculations were based on an assumed 80% recovery for all metals, while the new metallurgical results indicate higher recoveries for several components.
Based on updated recovery assumptions and metal prices, Power Metallic reported an 18.2% increase in recovered copper-equivalent grade compared with prior assumptions.
The company said it will complete the current phase of conventional concentration testing and expects to provide a final report once the work is finished. Power Metallic also said it is evaluating options for a potential Phase 2 study to assess the creation of “value-added products,” as suggested by SGS.
Shares of Power Metallic were up 3.8% in Toronto and 10.2% over the counter in the US mid-Tuesday morning.
