The Fondaway Canyon Project is an advanced-stage gold project located in Nevada, USA, owned by Getchell Gold Corp. The project is not currently operating and is the subject of an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). The conceptual process flowsheet developed in 2024 was modified based on test work completed in 2026, with the simplified flowsheet designed to produce a combined flotation and gravity concentrate for sale or toll processing.
Critical Data
| Parameter | Value | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plant throughput | 12,000 | t/d | Design assumption |
| Feed grade | 1.38 | g/t Au | Design averaging |
| Primary grind target | P80 of 270 | mesh | Design target |
| Rougher flotation gold recovery | ±87 | % | Design assumption |
| Rougher mass pull | ±20 | % | Design assumption |
| Overall gold recovery | ±85 | % | Projected |
| Concentrate grade | Over 20 | g/t Au | Projected |
| Cleaner flotation stages | 3 | , | Open circuit |
| Crushing stages | 3 | , | Before ball mill |
| Tailings disposal | Dry stack | , | May be used |
Overview
The recovery methods section of the technical report presents a conceptual process flowsheet based on producing a combined flotation and gravity concentrate. The flowsheet was originally developed in 2024 and then modified following test work completed in 2026. The simplified flowsheet appears in Figure 17-1 of the technical report, with the source attributed to DM Consulting 2026.
The process design assumes a plant throughput of 12,000 tonnes per day of mineralized material averaging 1.38 g/t Au. The comminution circuit will consist of three-stage crushing followed by a closed-circuit ball mill cyclone system. The targeted primary grind is P80 of 270 mesh.
Concentrate produced through the combined flotation and gravity circuit is intended for sale or toll processing. Cost estimates for transportation and toll milling are included in the cost estimate on a per processed tonne basis.
Key Process Stages
The process flowsheet will consist of three stages of crushing followed by a ball-mill-cyclone configuration. The cyclone overflow will be sent to rougher flotation. Sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) will be added to the mill to sulfidize the oxide material. The flotation reagents, namely xanthate, AP 404, and AF 65, will be added to a conditioning tank ahead of flotation.
Rougher flotation is designed to recover approximately 87 percent of the gold with a mass pull of approximately 20 percent. The rougher concentrate will be sent to first-cleaner flotation. Concentrate from the first cleaner will go to second-cleaner flotation. Concentrate from the second cleaner will be sent to third-stage cleaner flotation. The tailings from the three cleaners will be combined and subjected to gravity concentration.
The gravity concentrate will be combined with the flotation cleaner 3 concentrate. This combined concentrate will be sold or toll processed. The gravity tailing will be combined with the rougher flotation tailing, thickened, and filtered to produce tailings which may be dry stacked. The overall recovery is projected to be approximately 85 percent at a concentrate grade of over 20 g/t Au.
Additional Interesting Data and Summary
The technical report notes that the conceptual process flowsheet developed in 2024 was modified based on recent test work completed in 2026. The report presents the process design as assumptions made to develop the flowsheet, distinguishing these design values from the projected recovery and concentrate grade figures.
The flowsheet represents a relatively straightforward comminution and flotation configuration, with the addition of gravity concentration for cleaner tailings. The use of sodium hydrosulfide for sulfidization indicates the feed material contains oxide components that require sulfidization prior to flotation. The inclusion of transportation and toll milling costs in the per-tonne cost estimate suggests the project does not assume on-site concentrate processing infrastructure.
The dry stacking of filtered tailings is presented as a possible approach rather than a confirmed design decision.
Key Processes
- Three-stage crushing
- Closed-circuit ball mill cyclone grinding
- Rougher flotation with sodium hydrosulfide sulfidization and xanthate, AP 404, and AF 65 reagents
- Three stages of open-circuit cleaner flotation
- Gravity concentration of combined cleaner tailings
- Combined flotation and gravity concentrate for sale or toll processing
- Thickening and filtering of combined tailings for potential dry stacking
Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment, June 1, 2026. Project website: Fondaway Canyon Project
