MEDIA RELEASE29 June 2009Metallurgical and Exploration...

MEDIA RELEASE
29 June 2009
Metallurgical and Exploration Results
Parker Range Gold Project
HIGHLIGHTS
• Buffalo pre-feasibility study –
o outstanding 80% recoveries from bottle-roll tests,
o high component of free gold
• Resource drilling at nearby Centenary, White Horseshoe, Spring Hill starting July
• Exploration drilling completed at Rokeby
BUFFALO PROJECT PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY
(Gondwana 70%)
Metallurgical Test Work
Gondwana has begun metallurgical test work on ore samples from within the Buffalo resource and
preliminary open pit optimization work following completion of a JORC-compliant gold resource
estimate in March 2009 (Indicated 247,000t @ 2.23g/t for 17,700 oz; Inferred 47,000t @ 1.54g/t for
2,300oz; total 294kt @ 2.12g/t for 20,000 oz).
A total of 5 composite samples were supplied to Micron Research for metallurgical test work including:
• Petrographic analysis of composite samples
• Bottle roll tests
• Grind size tests
• Gravity separation
• Vat leach test work on a bulk sample
The petrographic analysis and bottle roll tests
have been completed on the samples with
encouraging results. The bottle roll tests were
carried out on material crushed to -10mm, a
reasonably coarse size, and the cyanide
solution was changed and analysed at 24, 48
and 72 hours to determine the maximum
extractable gold and approximate leach times
for each of the samples.
Results of the bottle roll tests indicate that an
average of 80% of the gold was recovered over
a 72 hour period. The test work also indicated
that although there was a significant increase in
sulphide in the composite from the fresh rock,
there was no decrease in gold recovery. The
inference that can be made from these results
is that there is no evidence of gold being
metallurgically “locked-up” within the sulphides.
Grind size analysis is currently under way to determine the optimal particle size in order to increase
gold recovery and/or decrease leaching time. Once the optimal particle size has been determined,
gravity separation tests will be carried out in order to determine the percentage of coarse gold that can
be recovered prior to leaching.
Figure 1: Buffalo 15m deep open cut pit