#Canada #Vancouver #Casino Project #Western Copper and Gold #metallurgical tests

Western Copper and Gold's Positive Metallurgical Review

Western Copper and Gold Corporation has recently shared promising updates regarding its metallurgical program as part of the Casino Copper-Gold Project located in the Yukon Territory, Canada. This announcement comes after comprehensive testing which indicates favorable recoveries of key minerals crucial to the project's success.

Overview of the Metallurgical Program

The metallurgical program utilized composite samples from the 2023 diamond drilling campaigns. These samples exhibited a wider range of variables in copper, gold, and molybdenum levels than those analyzed in earlier missions. The aim was to better represent the material expected to feed the mill during future operations, while also laying a foundation for optimized recovery processes.

Key Highlights:

1. High Recovery Rates: Standard processing techniques yielded excellent recovery figures for copper and gold, similar to previous analyses. Notably, molybdenum recovery rates soared to about 90% for hypogene material, a substantial improvement compared to the 71% recovery noted in earlier feasibility assessments.
2. High-Quality Concentrates: The Casino Project is on track to deliver a high-grade copper concentrate rich in gold, along with a separate molybdenum concentrate that boasts low impurity levels. This market viability is anticipated to position Casino favorably in a tightening commodities market.
3. Promising Further Potential: Initial tests in the program revealed that increasing the primary grind size from the project’s baseline of 210μm did not significantly impact recovery rates—suggesting further advantages could be realized by refining processes without compromising output quality.

CEO Sandeep Singh emphasized the strategic position of the Casino project, remarking, “The latest metallurgical testing builds upon our 2023 work, painting a promising picture of attractive recoveries and distinct metallurgical traits.” This is indicative of Casino's potential as a significant player in the copper-gold mining industry, particularly in relation to cleaner concentrates which are currently in demand.

Collaborative Efforts and Methodologies

Western Copper and Gold's technical and sustainability committee formulated this program with vital contributions from industry experts hailing from Rio Tinto and Mitsubishi Materials. The metallurgical assessments consisted of detailed mineralogical research, comminution testing, and flotation analysis conducted at ALS Metallurgy facilities situated in Kamloops, BC.

Composite Analysis: A Closer Look

The samples underwent meticulous examination, ensuring that the composition targeted was achieved across nearly all composites tested. The Casino resource is predominantly composed of two main zones: the Supergene Sulphide Zone comprising about 25% and the Hypogene Zone, which represents roughly 70% of the total resource.

Flotation Test Outcomes

Recent flotation tests highlighted that Casino’s processing techniques maintain high recovery rates for copper and molybdenum while also producing quality concentrates. The locked-cycle tests conveyed that hypogene samples show consistently high recoveries, with outputs demonstrating a remarkable average molybdenum recovery of 90%—an encouraging upgrade compared to historical data.

In summary, Western Copper and Gold Corporation's metallurgical advancements provide insight into realizing successful operational parameters and economic feasibility for the Casino Project. The broad market demand combined with low impurity concentrates signifies a lucrative opportunity for the enterprise as it moves toward further exploration and development of this promising site. The company remains dedicated to sustainable practices while fostering relationships with local First Nations communities to ensure responsible mining operations. As they continue their operations, the focus will remain on capitalizing on these enhancements to share benefits with stakeholders, ultimately driving progress in both the regional mining sector and the overall economy.