Forsys Metals Corp. (TSX: FSY) (FSE: F2T) (NSX: FSY) (“Forsys” or
the “Company”)
Forsys is pleased to be able to release the
results of its metallurgical column leaching test work for its
Norasa Uranium project (“Norasa Project”1) together with details of
its work plan for further optimising heap leach conditions and
ore-sorting testwork.
Highlights
- Completed metallurgical test work
supports utilizing heap leaching to recover uranium at Norasa.
- A total of 16 metallurgical column
leach tests have been completed. Various test conditions were
assessed, covering initial scouting tests aimed at evaluating the
impact of binder addition, higher irrigation rates and grind size
on recoveries, leach kinetics and acid consumption.
- Uranium extraction rates of up to
87% (crushed with a conventional cone crusher, average of solids
and solution based recovery) were achieved within a leach cycle
time of 30 days or less. Sulphuric acid consumption ranged from 17
kg/t to 38 kg/t, depending on operational parameters. This recovery
rate is on par with that achieved by other similar type operations
with comparable ore type.
With the integration of higher irrigation rates,
binder addition and grind size adjustments, there is an opportunity
to optimise the baseline parameters, enhancing leach kinetics,
reagent addition and recovery rates.
Extensive follow-up test work is planned. The
primary areas of focus will include additional column tests aimed
at assessing a high-pressure grinding rolls (“HPGR”) crushed
product, acid consumption, irrigation rate and leach duration, with
the objective of achieving an optimal uranium dissolution rate.
Literature indicates between 4% to 6% increased metal extractions
in heap leach operations with HPGR crushing.
As part of this follow-up test work, ore
amenability for bulk ore sorting will be assessed, aimed at
upgrading material prior to leaching to enhance recoveries and
expedite cash flow and bolster project economics.
The Norasa Uranium Project (“Norasa Project“) is
wholly-owned by the Company’s 100% subsidiary Valencia Uranium
(Pty) Ltd. (“Valencia Uranium”) and comprises the Valencia uranium
deposits (held under ML-149) ("Valencia”) and the Namibplaas
uranium deposit (under EPL-3638, application for ML-251)
(“Nambiplaas”), located in the Erongo region of Namibia.
Sample selection for metallurgical test
work
Based on the mineral exploration and resource
definition, with close to 300,000 metres of drilling executed for
the Norasa Project and resulting mineral resource estimate and
block models for Valencia, bulk samples for metallurgical test work
were composed to account for the composition and spatial variance
within each of the deposits.
For the bulk samples from the Valencia ore-body
which underwent leaching test work at an accredited laboratory, SGS
Laboratories in South Africa (“SGS”), a mix of different
lithologies was selected from drill cores of a number of diamond
holes, with the objective of representing the overall run-of-mine
ore composition from this deposit.
From lithology modelling, it is evident that the
main uranium hosting ore is alaskite, which is a rock of granitic
composition. Limited uranium mineralisation occurs at the contact
zones to the country rock, i.e. in schists, marbles and gneisses by
intruding alaskite veins.
The bulk samples comprise fresh rock material
from diamond drill cores. The initial leach test sample for phase 1
of the column leach testing was composed of alaskite material only.
The second sample for phase 2 of the column leach testing was made
up of ore and country rock types in proportions of approximately
72% of alaskite / granite lithologies, 13% of marble and
calc-silicate rock and the remaining 15 % of different types of
unmineralised schists and gneisses.
Metallurgical column leach testwork results
To date, leaching testwork at SGS comprised of
bottle roll testing and column leach testing.
- Phase 1: Six column leach tests
(including duplicates) were completed on predominantly alaskite
samples (see Figure 1), yielding uranium extractions ranging from
77% to 87% (average of solids and solution based recovery) with
acid consumption rates ranging from 17 kg/t up to 22 kg/t.
- Phase 2: A further ten column leach
tests (including duplicates) have been completed on samples sourced
from various parts of the orebody, encompassing country rock and
marbles. During these tests, uranium extractions ranged from 69% to
85% (average of solids and solution based recovery) dependant on
leach operating conditions at a leach cycle duration of 30 days.
Acid consumption ranged from 23 kg/t up to 38 kg/t.
- Thirty-four bottle roll leach
optimisation tests were completed to guide conditions for the
column testing during Phase 1 and 2 of the programme.
Phase 1 of the programme focused on a composite
sample comprising primarily alaskite material, with a head grade of
approximately 187 ppm U3O8. Various crush sizes were examined after
preparation in a laboratory-scale cone crusher to achieve a
targeted particle size distribution (PSD). Testwork assessed crush
sizes with a top size of 4.75 mm, 6.7 mm and 8 mm.
The programme's second phase evaluated three
distinct ore samples sourced from different locations within the
ore body, characterised by varying lithologies. These samples
exhibited head grades ranging from 136 ppm to 201 ppm U3O8, with an
increased presence of marbles, schists, and country rock
lithologies. Crush sizes assessed ranged from a top size of
approximately 6 mm to 8 mm.
SGS was chosen for its comprehensive laboratory
services and global expertise. In addition to internal laboratory
test procedures and quality control measures, numerous repeat
assays and external laboratory assays were conducted throughout the
programmes to interrogate the data set and critique
accountabilities.
Figure 1: Leaching Columns at SGS South
Africa
The current testwork programme has yielded the
following observations and inferences:
- Enhanced leach kinetics were noted
in the latter part of the programme, attributed to the acid curing
procedure conducted prior to sample introduction into the
columns.
- Comparative tests carried out at
higher irrigation rates demonstrated improved leach kinetics and
recoveries.
- Preliminary evaluation of using
flocculant as a binder warrants further investigation, potentially
contributing to enhanced leach kinetics and recoveries.
- The impact of crush size remains
inconclusive at present. While some comparative tests indicate that
finer crush sizes result in higher uranium extractions, others show
no discernible effect. This aspect will be further investigated in
the subsequent phase of the programme, with particular emphasis on
the utilisation of HPGR crushing. Existing literature suggests a
potential increase of between 4% to 6% in metal extractions in heap
leach operations with HPGR crushing compared to conventional
crushing methods.
- The grade-recovery relationship
remains partly defined, but preliminary observations suggest a
correlation between grade and its subsequent impact on recovery.
The precise extent of this relationship will also be further
investigated in the subsequent phase of the programme
- The acid consumption for the
alaskite samples averaged approximately 17kg/ton for coarser crush
sizes, with higher consumption observed for finer sizes. In the
second part of the test programme, acid consumption increased up to
38kg/ton with the marble-containing samples. Optimisation of acid
consumption, acid strength, irrigation rates, cycle duration and
crush size are all planned for the next phase of the
programme.
Grading analyses conducted on the alaskite
sample leach residues revealed a higher proportion of uranium
remaining in the coarser end of the size range, whereas the finer
end of the size spectrum exhibited minimal uranium content. This
suggests a potential liberation challenge, which will be
investigated further in the next phase of the programme,
particularly utilising an HPGR crushed product supported by further
mineralogical analysis.
Workplan
Forsys is initiating the next phase of the test
work programme along with ongoing optimisation efforts. The key
workstreams will include two further phases of Column Leach tests
at SGS with ongoing mineralogical analysis to complete the data
evaluation.
These phases of follow up testing are aimed at
enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of extracting the
uranium mineralisation from ore samples with a wider head grade
range.
The programme is designed to test a range of
leaching variables, including crushing by HPGR to assess the impact
of the particle cracking effect to expose increased mineral surface
area for improved leaching. Column work to date has shown higher
uranium grades in coarser fractions of the residue, indicating the
majority of mineralisation in the fines has been leached. Physical
leaching variables will also be tested for optimising leach
conditions.
As part of the programme a boxcut is planned
which will enable access to adequate mass of bulk fresh ore
material for large scale column leach testing to inform process
design.
Qualified Persons Statement for
Metallurgy Mr Aveshan Naidoo is a Specialist Engineer:
Hydromet and Economics, for DRA South Africa Projects (Pty) Ltd of
Building 33, Woodlands Office Park, 20 Woodlands Drive, Woodlands,
Sandton, 2080. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical
Engineering from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and a Master of
Business Administration from the University of Witwatersrand. He is
a registered Professional Engineer with the Engineering Council of
South Africa (Registration No. 20130523). Mr Naidoo has been
practising his profession continuously since 2008 and has 16 years
of experience across a range of African projects. He is familiar
with NI 43-101 and, by reason of his education, experience, and
professional registrations, he fulfils the requirements of an
independent Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
Qualified Persons Statement for
Mining Mr Peter Christians is an Associate and Principal
Mining Engineer with Qubeka Mining Consultants CC in Windhoek,
Namibia. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mining Engineering at
Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He is a registered
Fellow Member of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(FAusIMM, registration number 221754). Mr Christians has been
practicing as a Mining Engineer continuously since 1985 in various
roles and his ~40-years’ experience covers a range of projects
across Africa, North America, Australia, and Russia. He is familiar
with NI 43-101 and, by reason of his education, experience,
and professional registrations, he fulfils the requirements of an
independent Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.
Qualified Persons Statement for
Geology The information in this release that relates to
the Preliminary Leaching Test Work and Project Workplan at Norasa
is based on information compiled or reviewed by Dr Guy Freemantle
of The MSA Group (Pty) Ltd., Johannesburg, South Africa. The MSA
Group are independent consultants to the Norasa Project, Namibia.
Dr Freemantle holds a Bachelor of Science in Geology (2006) and
Doctor of Philosophy in Geology (2017) both at the University of
the Witwatersrand. He is a member of the Society of Economic
Geologists (892905); a Fellow of the Geological Society of South
Africa (965392); and is registered with SACNASP (Registration
117527). Dr Freemantle has practiced his profession continuously
for 14 years and has sufficient experience and knowledge that is
relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposits under
consideration as well as to the activity that is being undertaken
to fulfil requirements of a Qualified Person as per NI 43-101. Dr
Freemantle consents to this release in the form and context in
which it appears.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
About Forsys
Metals Corp.
Forsys Metals Corp. (TSX: FSY, FSE: F2T, NSX:
FSY) is an emerging uranium developer focused on advancing its
wholly owned Norasa Uranium Project, located in the politically and
uranium friendly jurisdiction of Namibia, Africa. The Norasa
Uranium Project is comprised of the Valencia Uranium deposit
(ML-149) and the nearby Namibplaas Uranium deposit (EPL-3638).
Further information is available at the Company website
www.forsysmetals.com
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Forsys
Metals Corp. Richard Parkhouse, Director, Investor Relations. For
additional information please contact:
Pine van Wyk, Country Director, Forsysemail:
pine@forsysmetals.com
Richard Parkhouse, Director, Investor Relationsemail:
rparkhouse@forsysmetals.com email:
info@forsysmetals.comphone : +44 7730493432
Nikolas Matysek, Communications Manager (Canada)email:
nmatysek@forsysmetals.com
Forward Looking Statement
Certain information contained in this press
release constitutes "forward-looking information",
within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these
forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not
expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates",
"forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or
"believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that
certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might"
or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential
to". Forward looking statements contained in this press release are
qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties
surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could
cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market
conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our
reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at
www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this
press release are made as of the date of this press release and
Forsys Metals Corp disclaim any intention or obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly
required by applicable securities legislation.
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/51ce7a8d-fb7b-44dd-8e37-5e39d326d157
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