Mineral Processing Circuit

This Pre-Feasibility Study (PEA) evaluates the processing routes for the Ikkari and Pahtavaara gold projects in Lapland, Finland. A trade-off analysis compared flotation concentrate production versus cyanide leaching to doré. Scenario 1 was selected as the base case, where Pahtavaara produces a concentrate transported to Ikkari for leaching. Post-trade-off optimization led to a hybrid recovery plant at Ikkari combining gravity recovery, flotation of tails, and cyanidation of the concentrate.

This section of the NI 43-101 Technical Report outlines the recovery methods for the Caber, Caber Nord, and PD1 deposits. The processing strategy involves treating copper and zinc bearing material through the existing Matagami process plant, which has been in operation since 1962 and is currently on care-and-maintenance. The plant is designed to produce separate copper and zinc concentrates, with tailings deposited in a new Tailings Storage Facility (TSF).

The technical report for Orocobre on the Salta Province borax mine plans counter current decantation, heat recovery and a natural gas pipeline after relocating the plant in mid-2014.

This Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) outlines a conceptual design for the Enchi Gold Project, focusing on the Boin, Nyamebekyere, and Sewum deposits. The project is designed to process oxide or saprolite mineralization using a conventional heap leaching facility. The process route includes primary and secondary crushing, agglomeration with cement and lime, and heap leaching with sodium cyanide solution.

This technical report details the Skouries Project in Greece, operated by Eldorado Gold Corporation (via Hellas Gold). The project involves both open pit and underground mining methods with a nominal throughput of 8.0 Mtpa. The ore is processed via SABC grinding and flotation to produce a copper-gold concentrate. Tailings are managed via paste backfill underground and filtered tailings on surface. The project is currently in development with construction ongoing since 2012.

This technical report details the processing plant design for the Corcoesto Gold Deposit located in Galicia, Spain. The facility is designed for a throughput of 6,000 tonnes per day, based on a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) conducted by Ore Reserves Engineering in November 2011. The current design is at the feasibility study level, utilizing the flowsheet described in the PEA for capital and operating cost assumptions.

This section of the 2023 Feasibility Study details the process description and recovery methods for the Karowe Diamond Mine (KDM). The report outlines the historical progression of the plant through three phases, starting with Phase I Greenfields commissioning in 2012, followed by Phase II and Phase III brownfields expansions completed in 2015 and 2017 respectively. The current plant design focuses on treating Magmatic Pyroclastic Kimberlite (M/PK(S)) and Eastern Magmatic Pyroclastic Kimberlite (EM/PK(S)) ore types, with a design throughput of 350 to 500 tonnes per hour.

The Zandfontein beneficiation plant at the Crocodile River Mine is designed to process both underground ore and Tailings Storage Facility (TSF) remining material. The facility focuses on the recovery of Platinum Group Metals (PGM) and Chrome from UG2 chromite tailings. The processing circuit includes crushing, milling, and flotation stages, with specific modifications to accommodate Circuit B and Circuit D for treating WHIMS chrome plant tailings. Operational data from late 2020 to early 2022 indicates the plant is currently operating with some recommissioning challenges affecting recovery rates.

The 2018 Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Shafter Project in Presidio County, Texas, outlines a proposed silver mining operation by Aurcana Corporation. The facility is designed to process 600 tons per day of mineralized material with a mine life of 3.6 years. The project focuses on the extraction of silver through a whole-ore cyanide leaching circuit followed by Merrill Crowe precipitation. The study indicates a recovered silver production of approximately 1,837,300 ounces per year.