metallurgical testing results updateMarathon reports confirmatory metallurgical results completed at Xstrata Process Support Centre
Wed Jun 11, TORONTO, June 11 /CNW/ - Marathon PGM Corporation ("Marathon" or "the Company", MAR-TSX) is pleased to report the results of rougher and cleaner flotation testwork completed at the Xstrata Process Support Centre ("XPS") on samples from the Marathon PGM-Cu Project. The objective of this testwork was to confirm the results from an extensive program undertaken in 2007 and 2008 for Marathon's Definitive Feasibility Study ("DFS") by SGS Lakefield Mineral Services. This confirmatory testwork was directed by Richard Gowans P.Eng., the independent qualified person (QP). Mr. Gowans is a Vice President and Senior Metallurgist with Micon International Limited ("Micon").
The confirmatory testwork was undertaken using one composite sample consisting of coarse assay rejects selected by Marathon. The selection criterion was to provide a sample that represented the average mineralization and grade from the Main Zone Pit area.
The average grade of this sample was 0.295% Cu, 0.729g/t Pd, 0.187g/t Pt and 0.083g/t Au, which is slightly lower for Pd, Pt and Au than the average Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource grade.
The average results obtained after three replicate bench-scale batch rougher flotation tests, when using the final flotation test conditions showed a total Cu recovery of 92% with a rougher concentrated grade of 2.7% Cu and a mass recovery of 10.3%. Average rougher recoveries for Pt, Pd and Au were 84%, 83% and 86%, respectively.
The primary cleaner tests conducted by XPS obtained primary Cu concentrate grades of approximately 29%. Final open circuit cleaner concentrate grades, when combining the primary and secondary rougher concentrates, exceeded 20% Cu. These results are in-line with the results from the extensive program of work completed by SGS. Details of the metallurgical recoveries estimated by SGS following the 2007/08 metallurgical test program were included in a Marathon press release dated 25-Feb-08.
XPS concluded that, "The confirmatory testwork undertaken by XPS produced copper, PGE and Au recoveries in the same range as those obtained in previous work undertaken at SGS Lakefield. The copper and PGM recoveries obtained at XPS and SGS were high when considering the low head grades of the Marathon ore, indicating that this ore has excellent flotation properties."
Marathon plans to further enhance the Marathon PGM-Cu Project metallurgy by operating a mini pilot plant at XPS later this year.
Definitive Feasibility Study
The DFS for the Marathon PGM-Cu Project that was started in February 2007, is scheduled for completion during the 3rd quarter of 2008. The DFS comprises open pit mining and processing on-site at a rate of 22,000 tonnes of ore per day to produce a Cu-PGM-Au concentrate.
The DFS team comprises Micon, Golder Associates ("Golder") and MetChem Canada Inc. ("MetChem") and P&E Mining Consultants ("P&E"). Micon is responsible for the overall management of the DFS as well as the metallurgical design and concentrate marketing. Golder is responsible for the environmental studies, tailings dam design and overall geo-technical aspects of the Study. MetChem is responsible for the process and infrastructure design, engineering and costing, and P&E is responsible for the Mineral Resources, Mineral Reserves and all the mining related aspect of the DFS. Ray Mason, VP of Operations, is overseeing the DFS process on behalf of Marathon PGM.
In parallel to completing the final portions of the Feasibility Study, design work is being finalized in some areas of the processing facility in order to initiate procurement of specific long-lead items. Marathon has been engaged for several months on the Environmental Assessment, including joint meetings with the Provincial and Federal Agencies. Marathon has had success in harmonizing work between both levels of regulators.
Mr. Richard Gowans, P.Eng, V.P. and Senior Metallurgist is Micon's Independent Qualified Person in compliance with National Instrument 43-101 with respect to this release. Mr. Gowans has reviewed the contents for accuracy and has approved this press release on behalf of Micon.