This report presents a preliminary economic assessment of mineral processing and recovery methods for the Cabaçal gold-copper project in Mato Grosso, Brazil.
Report context
The Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment was prepared for Meridian Mining UK Societas with an effective date of March 1, 2023. The report covers the project located in Mato Grosso, Brazil, and includes proposed processing and recovery operations based on metallurgical testwork programs conducted on project samples.
Processing route
Overall Process Design
The proposed process design for the Cabaçal project includes a conventional flotation concentrator to produce a gold-copper concentrate. The designed processing route consists of primary crushing, a grinding circuit, gravity concentrate recovery, flotation, tailings dewatering, and concentrate dewatering.
Primary Crushing
The plant design includes a primary crushing stage as the first step in the comminution circuit.
Grinding Circuit
The grinding circuit is designed to reduce the ore particle size prior to downstream processing.
Gravity Concentrate Recovery Circuit
A gravity concentrate recovery circuit is incorporated into the plant design to recover coarse gold particles prior to flotation.
Flotation Circuit
The flotation circuit is designed as a conventional flotation concentrator. Metallurgical testwork programs investigated the effect of primary grind on rougher recovery, cleaner flotation conditions, and variability sample testing for the recovery model used in economic evaluation.
Tailings Dewatering
The plant design includes a tailings dewatering system.
Concentrate Dewatering
Concentrate dewatering is included in the designed process to produce a final gold-copper concentrate product.
Reagent Handling & Storage
The plant design includes reagent handling and storage facilities for lime, flocculant, frother (MIBC), and collector (PAX).
Services & Utilities
The proposed design includes process and instrument air systems, low pressure air, and diesel fuel facilities.
Water and Power Supply
The designed plant includes a raw water supply system, process water supply system, and gland water system. The power requirements are specified for the processing facility.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Unit | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Processing rate | Not specified | Not specified | Proposed design |
| Primary grind size | Not specified | Not specified | Proposed design |
| Gravity recovery | Not specified | Not specified | Testwork |
| Rougher flotation recovery | Not specified | Not specified | Variability testwork |
| Cleaner flotation conditions | Not specified | Not specified | Testwork |
| Concentrate grade | Not specified | Not specified | Proposed design |
| Power requirement | Not specified | Not specified | Proposed design |
| Water supply capacity | Not specified | Not specified | Proposed design |
Project website: https://meridianmining.co/cabacal/
Technical qualifications
Mineral processing and metallurgical testing sections of the report (Section 13) were prepared by Joseph M. Keane, P.E., as a Qualified Person. Recovery methods sections (Sections 17, 18.1, 18.2, 18.3, 18.5, 18.6.1, 18.6.2, 18.6.3, 18.7, 19, 21.1, 21.2.1, 21.2.3 through 21.2.11, 21.3.1, 21.3.3, 21.3.4, 22, 25.9, 25.10, 25.12, 25.13, 25.14.1.5, 25.14.1.6, 25.14.1.8, 25.14.1.9, 25.14.2.2, 25.14.2.3, 25.14.2.4, 26.5, and 26.8) were prepared by Tommaso Roberto Raponi, P.Eng. Both Qualified Persons had not visited the Cabaçal property at the time of the report. The metallurgical testwork was conducted on historical samples and new samples collected specifically for the testwork programs.
Source: Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical Report and Preliminary Economic Assessment, Mato Grosso, Brazil, effective March 1, 2023, sections 13, 17, and certified Qualified Person statements.
