This report presents the mineral processing and metallurgical testing programme for the Wa Gold Project in Ghana.
Report context
The Wa Gold Project, Ghana, is the subject of a NI 43-101 technical report with an effective date of 27 August 2012. The report documents a feasibility study completed in August 2012. The project is located in Ghana, West Africa. The report includes metallurgical testwork, mineral resource estimates, and a proposed process flowsheet.
Processing route
Preliminary Testwork Programmes
Preliminary testwork programmes were undertaken to evaluate the metallurgical characteristics of mineralisation from the Wa Gold Project. This initial testing provided the basis for more detailed comminution, gravity, and leaching optimisation testwork.
Composite Samples and Sample Preparation
Composite samples were prepared for the testwork programme. Comminution samples, leach samples, and leach variability samples were prepared from drill core. Head assays were completed for all composite samples.
Comminution Testing
Communution testing was completed on the composite samples.
Gravity/Leach Optimisation
Gravity tests were conducted to assess the potential for gravity gold recovery. Grind optimisation testwork was completed to determine the appropriate grind size for leaching. Cyanide optimisation testwork was conducted to determine the optimum cyanide concentration for gold extraction. Bulk leaching tests were completed as part of the optimisation programme.
Variability Testing
Variability testing was undertaken on samples from different mineralisation zones to assess the range of metallurgical responses across the deposit.
Ancillary Testing
Ancillary testing included thickening testwork and viscosity measurements.
Cyanide Detoxification
Cyanide detoxification testwork was conducted.
Process Flowsheet Selection
The process flowsheet was selected based on the results of the testwork programme. The proposed flowsheet comprises crushing, grinding and classification, an intensive cyanidation reactor, pre-leach thickening, a leach and carbon adsorption circuit, elution and goldroom operations, cyanide destruction, and tailings disposal.
Estimation of Metallurgical Recovery
Metallurgical recovery was estimated based on the testwork results.
Process Design
The process design philosophy is documented in the report. Key process design criteria were established for the proposed plant.
Process and Plant Description
The proposed process plant is described in the report. The run of mine pad receives ore from the mine. The crushing circuit is designed to reduce ore to the required feed size. The grinding and classification circuit uses a ball mill and hydrocyclones. An intensive cyanidation reactor is included in the circuit. Pre-leach thickening is provided ahead of the leach circuit. The leach and carbon adsorption circuit (CIL) is designed to recover gold from the ore. The elution and goldroom operations recover gold from loaded carbon. The CIL circuit tailings are treated in a cyanide destruction circuit. Tailings are disposed of in a tailings storage facility. Reagents are stored and dosed in a reagent area.
Historical Operating Data
The report does not include historical operating data for a processing plant at the Wa Gold Project. No production history is documented in the report.
Proposed Design Basis
The proposed plant design is based on the feasibility study completed in August 2012. The design is based on the metallurgical testwork results and the proposed mining schedule.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Gold recovery | Estimated from testwork | Testwork |
| Grind size | Determined from grind optimisation | Testwork |
| Cyanide concentration | Determined from cyanide optimisation | Testwork |
| Crushing circuit | To be designed | Proposed design |
| Grinding circuit | Ball mill and hydrocyclones | Proposed design |
| Leach circuit | CIL circuit | Proposed design |
| Cyanide destruction | Included in flowsheet | Proposed design |
Project website: https://corazon.com.au/our-projects/wa-gold-projects/
Technical qualifications
The report states that the qualified persons responsible for the mineral processing and metallurgical testing section are the report authors. The effective date of the report is 27 August 2012. The report is a technical report prepared under NI 43-101. The information in this section is derived from sections 1.7, 13, and 17 of the original report.
Source: Wa Gold Project, Ghana – MINEWPER00948AB, 43-101 Technical Report – 27 August 2012, Mineral Processing and Metallurgical Testing section, Recovery Methods section.
