Can Gradina’s Metallurgical Success Overcome Challenges Ahead for Rogozna?

• Gold recoveries up to 97.9% using standard flotation methods
• Average gold recovery of 89.9% confirmed and improved from 2021 results
• Eight diamond rigs drilling at Rogozna, with four focused on Gradina
• Maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for Gradina targeted for late 2025
• Further metallurgical optimisation and assay results expected soon

Metallurgical Breakthrough at Gradina

Strickland Metals Limited (ASX – STK) has announced a significant advance in its Rogozna Gold and Base Metals Project in Serbia, with metallurgical testwork on bulk samples from the Gradina Deposit delivering gold recoveries as high as 97.9%. Averaging 89.9%, these results not only confirm but improve upon earlier 2021 testwork outcomes, which had already indicated strong recovery potential.

The testwork, conducted at ALS Metallurgy Laboratories in Perth under the supervision of Macromet consultants, employed industry-standard flotation techniques. This approach is critical because it validates the proposed processing flowsheet for Gradina, a deposit noted for its gold-dominant mineralisation within a skarn-hosted system.

Strategic Importance of Gradina

Gradina stands out within the Rogozna Project’s portfolio of deposits due to its scale, grade, and gold focus. Managing Director Paul L’Herpiniere emphasised the strategic value of early metallurgical testing as a key de-risking step. The excellent recoveries achieved reinforce confidence in the deposit’s economic potential and underpin plans for a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE), expected by late 2025.

Currently, eight diamond drilling rigs operate across Rogozna, with half dedicated to expanding known gold mineralisation at Gradina. This drilling campaign aims to support the MRE and further delineate the deposit’s extent and grade continuity.

Technical Insights and Next Steps

The flotation testwork targeted gold-pyrite concentrates, reflecting the deposit’s low base metal content. Gold recoveries varied from 64.3% to 97.9%, with the lower figure attributed to a rare oxidised mineralisation zone that affects flotation efficiency. Most samples yielded high-grade concentrates averaging 26.1 grams per tonne of gold, with a strong correlation observed between head grade and recovery rates.

Further metallurgical work is planned to optimise concentrate grades, particularly through cleaning processes for samples with lower initial grades. These efforts will also include detailed marketing and payability studies to refine operational cost estimates and project economics.

Beyond Gradina, drilling continues at other prospects within Rogozna, including Shanac, Kotlovi, and Jezerska Reka, with assay results from recent holes eagerly awaited in the coming weeks.

Broader Implications for Rogozna

The metallurgical success at Gradina is a pivotal milestone for Strickland Metals, enhancing the overall value proposition of the 7.4 million ounce gold equivalent Rogozna Project. The project’s robust resource base, combined with promising processing characteristics, positions it well for future development and potential production.

As the company advances towards its maiden resource estimate and continues to refine its processing strategy, investors and industry watchers will be closely monitoring assay updates and further metallurgical results that could shape the project’s trajectory.

Bottom Line?

Gradina’s metallurgical success sets a strong foundation, but upcoming resource estimates and drilling results will be decisive for Rogozna’s future.

Questions in the middle?

• How will the maiden Mineral Resource Estimate impact Strickland Metals’ valuation and project financing?
• What are the implications of the oxidised mineralisation zones on long-term processing efficiency?
• How might ongoing drilling results at Gradina and other prospects influence the overall resource and development timeline?