REG - Europa Metals Ltd - Further Metallurgical Results & Operational Update

Europa MetalsAnnouncement

04/08/2022 07:00

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RNS Number : 8339U  Europa Metals Ltd  04 August 2022

4 August 2022

Europa Metals Ltd

("Europa Metals", the "Company" or the "Group") (AIM, AltX: EUZ)

Further Highly Encouraging Metallurgical Results at Toral and Operational
Update

Europa Metals, the European focused lead, zinc and silver developer, is
pleased to announce highly encouraging results from its comprehensive
metallurgical testwork programme and an update on its resource drilling
campaign at its wholly owned Toral lead, zinc and silver project in the
Castilla y León region, Spain ("Toral" or the "Toral Project").

Highlights:

·      Metallurgical testwork results received from Wardell Armstrong
International Ltd ("WAI") in respect of locked cycle flotation tests ("LCT")
on products from an ore sorted bulk siliceous sample

o  Concentrate Grades                        56.6%
Zinc                   69.6% Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        78.6% Zinc
            80.7% Lead

·      Metallurgical results received for LCT from WAI on a further two
carbonate samples from:

Hole TOD-025D:

o  Concentrate Grades                        57.4%
Zinc                   75.2% Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        81.4%   Zinc
            94.4% Lead

Hole TOD-028:

o  Concentrate Grades                        60.3%
Zinc                   64.1% Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        84.0%   Zinc
            87.3% Lead

·      Resource drilling ongoing

o  Following a delay to the start of the current campaign, progress has been
impacted by drilling personnel contracting COVID-19

o  Hole TOD-041 has been completed with mineralisation being intersected at
the planned target depth

o  Hole TOD-042 drilling is underway and currently at 280m with a target
depth of approximately 900m

o  Rig is now operating on a double shift basis in order to seek to catch up
with the original programme schedule

Commenting today, Myles Campion, Executive Chairman and acting CEO of Europa
Metals, said:

"We have been busy so far this year on all fronts, including the recent
completion of our metallurgical testwork campaign with WAI which achieved
excellent results from both the upper siliceous zone and the lower carbonate
zone.

"Lead and zinc recoveries to respective concentrates are very good. Ore
sorting has played a part in lifting these recoveries (zinc to zinc
concentrate by approximately 4 percentage points and lead to lead concentrate
by approximately 3 percentage points, versus the previous results on unsorted
ore) which is highly encouraging. The grades achieved for both Zinc and Lead
are better than previous results, with the siliceous showing that the upper
levels can also produce a high-grade concentrate.

"I am also pleased with our ongoing drill programme, albeit there is some
catching up still to do, which will aim to prove up further indicated
resources at depth."

 

Metallurgical Testwork: Ore Sorting followed by Froth Flotation of Ore Sort
Concentrates

Samples from Ore Sorting undertaken by Tomra GmbH, were submitted to WAI
earlier this year.  The samples tested were a bulk sample of siliceous style
mineralisation and two borehole composites of carbonate style
mineralisation.  The siliceous sample was a composite of intersections from
boreholes TOD-029, TOD-029D, TOD-029D2, TOD-029D3, TOD-034 and TOD-034D (a
total of 701.09 kg).  The carbonate samples were taken from boreholes
TOD-025D and TOD-028 (96.36 kg and 50.7 kg respectively).

The ore sorting results announced previously by the Company in March 2022 were
as follows:

Siliceous bulk sample

·      Recovery of 95.7% Pb and 94.3% Zn metal

·      43.7% mass rejection of waste

Carbonate composite from hole TOD-025D

·      Recovery of 98.9% Pb and 94.7% Zn metal

·      46.8% mass rejection of waste

Carbonate composite from hole TOD-028

·      Recovery of 96.6% Pb and 96.1% Zn metal

·      47.7% mass rejection of waste

The sorter products were the subject of the recently completed campaign of
locked cycle flotation with the metallurgical results received from WAI
comprising:

·      Siliceous bulk sample

o  Flotation Recoveries                      83.4%
Zinc       84.3% Lead

o  Flotation Concentrate Grades         56.6% Zinc       69.6%
Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        78.6% Zinc
80.7% Lead

·      Carbonate sample from hole TOD-025D

o  Flotation Recovery                         85.9%
Zinc       95.4% Lead

o  Flotation Concentrate Grades         57.4% Zinc       75.2%
Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        81.4% Zinc
94.4% Lead

·      Carbonate sample from hole TOD-028

o  Flotation Recovery                         87.4%
Zinc       90.3% Lead

o  Flotation Concentrate Grades         60.3% Zinc       64.1%
Lead

o  Overall recovery (Sort & Float)        84.0% Zinc
87.3% Lead

Comparison with the 2019 locked cycle flotation tests on carbonate drill core

Locked cycle flotation tests simulate a full-scale plant flowsheet.  Each
test at WAI's facilities was conducted in a series of six cycles using the
flowsheet shown in Figure 1 below.  For the second and subsequent cycles,
lead and zinc cleaner tailings products were combined with the feed to the
previous stage of flotation.  For example, lead second cleaner tails were
returned to first cleaner feed.  The final concentrates, zinc scavenger
tailings and zinc rougher tailings from the final two cycles, were weighed and
sent for independent analysis. The results were then used to calculate
recovery and concentrate grades.

Figure 1:

Locked Cycle Test Flowsheet

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf
(http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf)

Results of the 2019 and 2022 testwork programmes are summarised in Table 1
below.  These results indicate that Toral could clearly achieve excellent
concentrate grades.

Table 1:

Summarised Results of the 2019 and 2022 Testwork

(Note: recovery and concentration data are from the original feed)

 Test                        Lead Concentrate                Zinc Concentrate
                             Lead Recovery  CR      Conc     Zinc Recovery  CR      Conc

(%)
(% Pb)
(%)
(% Zn)
 2019 Carbonate LCT1 Float   84.3           39.4    57.5     70.7           29.8    55.8
 2019 Carbonate LCT2 Float   83.7           34.9    60.0     77.0           24.9    59.1
 2022                        94.4           18.8    75.2     81.4           42.3    57.4

Carbonate 025D

Sort + Float
 2022                        87.3           51.4    64.1     84.0           24.0    60.3

Carbonate 028

Sort + Float
 2022 Silicate Sort + Float  80.7           59.7    69.6     78.6           52.9    56.6

 

Ore sorting and froth flotation are processes that concentrate and recover
metal values.  The concentration ratio ("CR") is defined as the weight of
feed divided by the weight of concentrate. Performance of an individual test
can be judged in terms of recovery and CR.  For an operating plant, daily
results for recovery and CR continually vary.  However, the results generally
form a trend when plotted on axes of recovery versus CR.  The same type of
plot can be useful in comparing locked cycle test results.

Figure 2:

Zinc Recovery vs Concentration Ratio Plot of LCT Results

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf
(http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf)

Overall results for zinc recovery (for 2022, sort & float and for 2019,
just float) are shown in Figure 2. At any given CR, higher recovery indicates
improved performance, and figure 2 illustrates that the combined sort plus
float procedure has given better performance than flotation alone for the zinc
concentrate.

In respect of the 2022 results, the best estimate of zinc recovery is the
trendline shown in Figure 2, which is "a least squares fit" for the three
different testwork data points. This line intersects the recovery axis at
89.7%.

This intercept incorporates for zinc metal losses during the sorting process
of 3.9% and also a recovery loss during the flotation process of a further
6.4% of zinc to lead concentrate.

The equation of the trend line is as follows:

Recovery % = 89.7 - (0.21 * CR)

In practice, when a full-scale plant and concentrator are in operation the aim
is to produce a saleable zinc concentrate grade of approximately 55% to 60%
Zn.  To achieve this target concentrate grade, the required concentration
ratio (and achievable recovery) depends mainly on the headgrade from the
deposit.

At Toral, the average resource grade (October 2021 Resource Estimate, @ 4% Zn
equivalent cut off) is 3.9% zinc, such that a future potential processing
plant could operate at a CR of 17 to zinc concentrate, which would achieve a
zinc recovery of 86.1% and a concentrate grade of 57.1% zinc.

An approximate estimate of the zinc recovery improvement resulting from
sorting can be made from Figure 2.  Projecting the two points from the 2019
testwork back to a CR of 17 and then comparing with the best estimate of
recovery trendline indicates a recovery improvement of approximately 4
percentage points.

Figure 3:
Lead Recovery vs Concentration Ratio Plot of LCT Results

 

http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf
(http://www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8339U_1-2022-8-3.pdf)

Overall results for lead recovery (for 2022, sort & float and for 2019,
just float) are shown in Figure 3, with the combined sort plus float procedure
again giving better performance than flotation alone.

In respect of the 2022 results, the best estimate of lead recovery is the
trendline shown in Figure 3, which is "a least squares fit" for the three
testwork data points, intersecting the recovery axis at 97.4%. This intercept
allows for the average loss of lead during sorting of 2.6% and the equation of
the trend line is as follows:

 

Recovery % = 97.4 - (0.24 * CR)

In practice, a concentrator would seek to produce a saleable lead concentrate
grade of approximately 70% lead. The average resource grade at Toral (October
2021 Resource Estimate) is 2.7% lead, such that a CR of 29 to lead concentrate
would be required to achieve a lead recovery of 90.4% and a concentrate grade
of 70.8% lead.

An approximate estimate of the lead recovery improvement resulting from
sorting can be made from Figure 2.  Projecting the two points from the 2019
testwork back to a CR of 29 and then comparing with the best estimate of
recovery trendline indicates a recovery improvement of approximately 3
percentage points.

In summary, the Europa Metals' team believes that ore sorting followed by
flotation has significant cost, performance and operational advantages
compared with flotation alone.

The Company will now consider how best to utilise ore sorter rejects and
flotation tailings. These waste products will be valuable as potential
cemented aggregate backfill and paste fill for underground mining
operations.  Some tailings products could also be used as landfill for
reclamation of an existing quarry.

Analysis of Final Concentrates Produced in the 2022 Locked Cycle Testwork

Final zinc and lead concentrates from the 2022 testwork were sent for detailed
chemical analyses.  The analyses for commonly applied penalty elements are
shown in Table 2 below.  The concentrates were generally below penalty levels
except for mercury.  High mercury levels are common for Spanish zinc
concentrates and local smelters are able to manage such feeds.  As an
alternative, a future plant at Toral could incorporate a concentrate treatment
process in order to reduce the mercury to below penalty levels.

Table 2:

Penalty Element Analyses of Concentrates Produced in the 2022 Testwork

 Concentrate From Testwork    As (ppm)  Bi (ppm)  Cd (ppm)  Fe (%)  Mg (%)  Mn (ppm)  Hg (ppm)  F (ppm)
 Siliceous Lead Conc          513       2.6       87        4.32    0.08    80        234       120
 Siliceous Zinc Conc          104       0.2       1,325     2.72    0.06    120       2,970     40
 Carbonate 025D Lead Conc     80        2.6       60.8      1.04    0.29    60        96        <20
 Carbonate 025D Zinc Conc     33        0.1       1,445     1.83    0.28    70        1,745     30
 Carbonate 028 Lead Conc      212       7.9       177.5     5.6     0.17    60        197       30
 Carbonate 028 Zinc Conc      16        0.1       1,635     1.75    0.08    50        1,085     20

 Penalty Level for Zinc Conc  2,000     200       2,500     8%      0.18%   5,000     50        200

 

Resource Drilling

Following an initial delay to the arrival of the rig on site due to increased
exploration activity and therefore rig demand in Spain, the first hole,
TOD-041, has recently been completed. Hole TOD-041 intersected mineralisation
at its target depth, whilst drilling of hole TOD-042 has commenced and is
advancing well, as the rig contractor is operating on a double shift, and is
currently at 280m with a target depth of approximately 900m.

The objective of this ongoing campaign is to seek to extend the indicated
resource at depth towards the east of the current zone and link up a known
area of encouraging data. If successful, this will add tonnes to the envisaged
future mining plan. Additionally, all holes are being geotechnically evaluated
as we drill, thereby providing additional information for the feasibility
study process.

This drilling campaign will also complete our R&D collaboration project
with the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) which will
conclude later this year.

Competent Person's statement

The information contained in this announcement that relates to exploration
activities is based upon information compiled by Evan Kirby, Non-Executive
Director of Europa Metals. Dr Kirby is a Fellow of the Southern African
Institute for Mining and Metallurgy and has sufficient experience which is
relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under
consideration and to the activity being undertaken to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the December 2012 edition of the "Australasian Code for
Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (JORC
Code). Dr Kirby consents to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters
based upon the information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

 

For further information on the Company, please visit www.europametals.com
(http://www.europametals.com) or contact:

 

Europa Metals Ltd

Dan Smith, Non-Executive Director and Company Secretary (Australia)

T: +61 417 978 955

Myles Campion, Executive Chairman and acting CEO (UK)

T: +44 (0)20 3289 9923

 

Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Adviser)

Rory Murphy/Matthew Chandler

T: +44 (0)20 7409 3494

 

WH Ireland Limited (Broker)

Harry Ansell/Dan Bristowe/Katy Mitchell/Sarah Mather

T: +44 (0)20 7220 1666

Questco Corporate Advisory Proprietary Limited (JSE Sponsor)

Sharon Owens

T: +27 (11) 011 9212

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation
(EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended.

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