Production Of Cu-Au And Iron Concentrates At El Penon

EDMONTON – Altiplano Metals Inc. reported on the progress at the El Peñón processing facility located approximately 15 kms from the Farellon copper-gold mine, 35 kms south of La Serena, Chile. As part of the ongoing optimization process at the processing facility, several refinements focusing on the milling and flotation processes have been completed for the crushing, milling, and flotation circuits. These adjustments were designed to improve the overall milling process efficiencies and resulted in enhanced productivity, together with increased production of concentrates while completing ongoing adjustments.

This work included: 1) Gearing replacement, transmission alignment, and mechanical adjustments for the two ball mills to optimize spin rate and particle grinding. 2) New instrumentation for the pulp pump systems, and conveyors which will improve the flow rates to the mills and milled product to the flotation systems. 3) An upgraded hydro-cyclones classification system was installed to improve the flow of crushed material to the flotation cells. 4) Speed adjustments to the agitation reducers were completed in the flotation process to promote optimal recovery of copper/gold. 5) The inaugural production of copper/gold and iron concentrates were generated from the fully integrated and operational plant. 6) The enclosure of plant facility and warehouse building was completed, mainly for noise control.

President and CEO, Alastair McIntyre, said, “We are pleased with the results of the design and optimization improvements, and we have now produced the first copper/gold and iron concentrates at the plant. This is an exciting moment in the progression of the Facility and for APN. With this milestone, we can focus on concentrate sales and ultimately improve our bottom line.”