Asian Battery Metals Reports 89-95% Copper Recovery in Latest Tests

Metallurgical Breakthrough at Oval

Asian Battery Metals PLC (ASX – AZ9) has reported promising interim metallurgical results from its flagship Oval Cu-Ni-PGE discovery in Mongolia. The company’s test work, conducted at ALS Metallurgy in Perth, confirms that copper can be recovered at very high rates, between 89% and 95%, using a conventional and simple flotation process. This achievement is a significant milestone, as it validates a straightforward flowsheet capable of producing a clean, marketable copper concentrate from the mineralisation.

Managing Director Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren expressed optimism about the findings, highlighting that the high copper recoveries were achieved despite the relatively low copper content of the mineralisation. He also noted ongoing efforts to improve nickel and by-product recoveries, which are showing encouraging signs of progress.

Expanding the Yambat Project Footprint

The metallurgical success complements the company’s active exploration program at the Yambat Project in southwestern Mongolia. The Oval discovery has already delivered multiple high-grade sulphide intercepts, and recent Phase 3 drilling has intersected broad zones of disseminated and massive sulphide mineralisation. Asian Battery Metals is pursuing step-out drilling to extend the known mineralisation and scout new targets at nearby prospects such as MS1, MS2, and Quartz Hill.

These drilling efforts are supported by ongoing geophysical surveys, including deep-penetration electromagnetic methods, and the integration of new ground holdings at Bayan Sair and Maikhan Uul. The company aims to build a district-scale discovery model across one of Asia’s most prospective copper-nickel belts, positioning itself strategically in the battery metals sector.

Technical Details and Next Steps

The metallurgical program involved testing three composite samples derived from diamond drill core, representing disseminated, net-textured, and massive sulphide mineralisation types. The flotation tests successfully produced separate copper and nickel concentrates, with copper grades in concentrates reaching up to 24.5% and recoveries nearing 95%. Nickel concentrate grades and recoveries are reasonable and expected to improve as reagent selection and flotation parameters are optimised.

Further mineralogical studies are underway to refine the flotation process, and additional metallurgical test results are anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2025. Meanwhile, assay results from recent drilling are expected within the next few weeks, which will inform ongoing interpretation and targeting efforts.

Broader Strategic Moves

Beyond Oval, Asian Battery Metals is advancing due diligence on the Maikhan Uul copper-gold volcanogenic massive sulphide project, signaling potential expansion of its portfolio. New geophysical surveys at Copper Ridge and Bayan Sair aim to identify further regional targets, underscoring the company’s commitment to growth in Mongolia’s battery metals landscape.

Overall, the metallurgical validation of a simple flotation flowsheet combined with active exploration and strategic acquisitions reinforces Oval’s standing as a significant copper-nickel-PGE discovery with promising development potential.