Projects

Metallurgy

Extensive metallurgical test work including column tests and bottle rolls have been completed that shows the Santa Ana deposit is well suited to a conventional heap leach silver recovery method. This will result in the production of a high purity silver doré bar on site and thus eliminating the cost and revenue losses associated with shipping a concentrate to a smelter. Tests have shown that all the ore is amenable to leaching and that a crushed ore size of ¾ of an inch results in an overall recovery of 70% of the silver. During operations, the ore will be crushed using low cost semi-mobile crushing plants which reduce capital cost and offer greater operational flexibility. The recovery of the silver will be achieved using a conventional Merrill-Crowe plant.

As part of the ongoing feasibility study, test are being undertaken to establish the optimal crushed ore size with a goal of improving the already favorable process economics.