Belararox (ASX:BRX) is on track to deliver an initial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) during October regarding its Belara Project after receiving positive initial metallurgical test work results from phase one drilling.
The advanced mineral explorer, which is focused on ‘high-value’ clean energy metals, reports the test work aims to build upon drilling results to determine the potential of the Belara Project to host significant zinc and copper mineralisation.
Planning for phase two exploration and drilling at the Belara Project is underway and a heritage agreement with the Warrabinga Wiradjuri Native Title Claim Group has been executed, as well as the granting of the remaining 2 exploration licence applications at progressing (ELA6176 and ELA6287).
Belararox also reports also that drilling at the Bullabulling Project (WA) is to begin in early 2023 targeting the highest priority gold targets identified from recently completed 3D mineral potential mapping. The targeted Bullabulling tenements contain a large 3D model target of a scale similar to the 300,000oz Geko gold deposit located nearby.
Addressing the progression of works, Managing Director Arvind Misra commented “First phase of metallurgy test work is very encouraging and confirms that saleable copper, lead, and zinc concentrate grades can be produced at Belara. Metal recoveries compare favourably to the Woodlawn Cu/Pb/Zn volcanogenic massive sulphide project (owned by Develop Global Ltd) with very similar concentrate grades, and saleable metal recoveries.
“Recoveries are expected to improve on higher grade composites, which are more reflective of the average metal grades obtained from the recently completed phase one drilling”
Recoveries are expected to improve on higher grade composites, which are more reflective of the average metal grades obtained from the recently completed phase one drilling.
We remain on track to deliver our maiden Mineral Resource Estimate later this month.”
Diamond drill core intervals representative of a lower grade mill feed, from early drill testing on the Belara project, were composited to form a single 23kg Master Composite, then were subjected to metallurgical characterisation and flotation testwork.
The company notes that this composite was obtained from early drill holes BLDD001 and BLDD002a drilled as part of the phase one drilling program for Belara. These drillholes are considered to represent typical polymetallic stratiform sulphide mineralisation for Belara, albeit at lower grades compared to later drilling on the project.
Subsequent drilling has identified higher grades such as BLDD028 – 3.0m at 11.17% Zn, 1.69% Cu, 2.25% Pb, 88.13g/t Ag, and 1.68 g/t Au.
Test work was conducted at Auralia Metallurgical Laboratories under the management of JT Metallurgical Services with the key outcomes being the derivation of a flowsheet and reagent conditions capable of producing saleable copper (>20%), lead (>30%), and zinc (>50%) concentrates.
A total of eight Cu-Pb-Zn sequential flotation tests have been conducted to date with the flowsheet reflecting the historic Woodlawn polymetallic operation, noting geological and mineralogical similarities of the two projects. Flotation feed grind size and reagent regimes were assessed in open circuit tests in lieu of future locked cycle testwork.
Saleable concentrate grades have been achieved on this low-grade composite at comparable recoveries to Woodlawn. Quantitative mineralogical studies are currently underway to define the deportment of target minerals in tailings streams to improve recovery and non-target minerals in concentrate streams to improve concentrate grade.
Belararox notes the successful flowsheet and reagent regime can now be applied to variability samples generated from the current diamond drill program.
Belararox is a mineral explorer focused on securing and developing resources to meet the surge in demand from the technology, battery and renewable energy markets. Our projects currently include the potential for zinc, copper, gold, silver, nickel, and lead resources.
Write to Adam Orlando at Mining.com.au
Images: Belararox Ltd
