PORT HARDY – Northisle Copper and Gold Inc. is pleased to report that preliminary metallurgical test results demonstrate a significant improvement in recoveries of copper and gold for the Hushamu Deposit at its 100 per cent-owned North Island Project west of Port Hardy.
“The test work was designed to investigate alternative flotation parameters to improve the recovery rates of copper and gold in the two mineralization types in the Hushamu Deposit. The results demonstrate that the average copper and gold recovery rates improved by 17 per cent and 24 per cent respectively, compared to tests used for the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) published in September 2017,” reports recent press release.
“In addition, the metallurgical test work included assaying and evaluating the recoveries of rhenium and silver which were not included in earlier test work and in the PEA economics. Results demonstrate rhenium recoveries of 66.1 per cent and 29.3 per cent into the low pyrite mineralization concentrate (CMG) and the high pyrite mineralization concentrate (SCP) respectively, and silver content in the low pyrite mineralization concentrate of 29.3 g/t and 18.0 g/t in the high pyrite mineralization concentrate (SCP).”
“Following the successful metallurgical results obtained for the Hushamu Deposit, a similar program is underway for the nearby Red Dog Deposit. Once these studies are completed, Northisle expects to update the PEA to incorporate upside potential related to the expected higher gold and copper recovery rates, inclusion of silver and rhenium metal recovery, and higher metal prices.”
John McClintock, President and CEO stated, “These results are very positive as they are expected to significantly improve the economics of our North Island Project. Given this success, we are excited about currently underway metallurgical testing on the nearby Red Dog Deposit. Once these studies are completed, we are eager to update our PEA to reflect the upside potential of higher copper and gold recovery rates, inclusion of silver and rhenium metal recovery, and higher metal prices.”
The project consists of approximately 33,000 hectares of mineral claims covering a 50 by 8-kilometre area west northwest of BHP Billiton’s now closed Island Copper Mine.
