Northumberland Metallurgical Testing Reports Gold Recoveries
VANCOUVER, BC - Fronteer reported that initial metallurgical test work at its 100% owned Northumberland gold deposit, yields sulfide gold recoveries of up to 87% for samples that are considered refractory in nature, and 89% for samples considered to be transitional material. Recoveries of 93% are observed on samples with a high cyanide (CN) solubility ratio. These results indicate that Northumberland mineralization can be processed with good recoveries using proven treatment methods.
"The outcomes from this test program are very encouraging and will help us to define the economic potential of this project. We are continuing with further metallurgical testing to optimize recoveries and to minimize capital and operating costs," says Troy Fierro, Fronteer Chief Operating Officer.
The results are the first from of a series of tests on the range of mineralization styles found at Northumberland. Three composite samples were taken from Fronteer's 2008 metallurgical core drilling program. The composites were selected based upon cyanide solubility ranges of low, medium and high. A bulk sample from Pad 4, which is a historic leach pad known to contain sulfide mineralization, was also submitted for testing.
The main objective of initial metallurgical testing was to investigate the recovery characteristics of gold at various grind sizes using Alkaline Pressure Oxidation (POX) technology followed by standard carbon-in-leach (CIL) leaching.
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