Kavango Resources has concluded a metallurgical test programme on ore samples from the Hillside Gold Project in Zimbabwe, achieving significant results.
The comprehensive programme was designed to determine optimal processing design and parameters for a carbon-in-leach (CIL) gold processing plant at the project, with a capacity of 50 tonnes per day (tpd), with considerations for future upgrades.
Tests conducted on various compositions of Nightshift and Bill's Luck ores showed high metallurgical recoveries, with more than 95% recovery in laboratory conditions and expectations of 90–93% in practical scenarios.
Nightshift gold was entirely non-refractory, while Bill's Luck ore showed 91% as free-milling gold.
Tests indicated minimal coarse gold and low elements such as native carbon minerals, copper and zinc acting as 'gold robbers'.
The programme involved gravity recovery tests using centrifugal concentrators, showing recoveries from 50–90%.
Gold concentrates were assessable through standard intensive leach technologies, achieving up to 98% recovery after 24 hours.
Reagent and energy consumption rates remained within normal ranges.
Kavango conducted the programme in collaboration with Solo Resources and Maelgwyn Mineral Services.
SGS South Africa performed mineralogical analysis and assessments, all under ISO and South African National Accreditation System-accredited standards.
Eight composite blends were tested to mirror expected feed material for the 50tpd plant under construction and a planned upgrade to 250tpd.
Specific composites demonstrated varying gold recoverability rates, with composites C and D revealing lab condition recoveries of 97% and 96%, respectively.
Gold recovery tests using three and five-stage gravity recoverable gold processes identified the optimal grind size at 75 microns.
Intensive leach reactor tests were conducted in anticipation of potentially adding an elution circuit, showing high leaching efficiencies.
Kavango Resources interim CEO Peter Wynter Bee said: “The team is extremely encouraged by these excellent metallurgical testwork results. All processing parameters are considered to be within a normal range, with no excess grinding or reagent consumption requirements.
“This gives us the confidence to continue building the resource base at our Hillside projects, with the goal of increasing gold production via future increases in processing capacity.”
