Mt Fisher’s High Gold Recovery De-Risks Development but Questions Remain
High-Tech Metals Ltd has reported metallurgical test results from its Mt Fisher Gold Project confirming high gold recoveries of up to 92.8%, supporting near-term development plans and joint venture processing opportunities.
- Gold recoveries up to 92.8% from low-grade ore
- Mt Fisher mineralisation confirmed as free-milling and non-refractory
- Rapid leach kinetics with low reagent consumption
- Supports ongoing Scoping Study and resource updates
- Profit-sharing joint venture with SSH Group for ore processing
Metallurgical Breakthrough at Mt Fisher
High-Tech Metals Ltd (ASX, HTM) has released highly encouraging metallurgical test results from its Mt Fisher Gold Project in Western Australia, confirming that the mineralisation is free-milling and non-refractory. The tests demonstrated combined gravity and cyanide recoveries reaching up to 92.8% from stockpile ore grading 0.67 grams per tonne gold, a strong indicator that conventional processing methods will be effective.
The significance of these results lies in the confirmation that Mt Fisher’s gold can be efficiently extracted using standard gravity and carbon-in-leach/carbon-in-pulp (CIL/CIP) techniques. This reduces technical risk and supports the economic viability of the project, which currently holds a mineral resource estimate of 124,000 ounces at 2 grams per tonne gold.
Operational Advantages and Processing Insights
Test work revealed rapid leach kinetics, with most gold extraction completed within eight hours, alongside low cyanide and lime consumption. Approximately 11% of the gold is gravity-recoverable, which can enhance processing efficiency and reduce costs. The ore’s softness and favorable crushing characteristics further support straightforward processing.
These metallurgical characteristics provide a solid foundation for High-Tech Metals’ ongoing Scoping Study and resource updates. The company is also exploring toll-treatment options, leveraging the proximity of Mt Fisher to several existing gold processing plants, which could accelerate near-term production without the need for immediate capital-intensive infrastructure.
Strategic Partnership and Next Steps
High-Tech Metals has entered a profit-sharing mining joint venture with SSH Group Ltd (ASX, SSH) to consider processing stockpiled ore at Mt Fisher. The metallurgical results substantially de-risk the development scenario, enabling the partners to proceed confidently with detailed economic assessments and operational planning.
CEO James Merrillees highlighted the importance of these findings, noting that the “metallurgical ‘box ticked’” allows the company to advance scoping studies and explore profitable mining scenarios. The secure tenure and mining-friendly jurisdiction of the Yilgarn Craton further underpin the project’s potential.
Looking ahead, High-Tech Metals plans to continue metallurgical, resource, and mining studies alongside exploration and permitting activities aimed at expanding the gold inventory. The company’s strategy focuses on establishing early cash flow from near-term production opportunities to fund high-impact exploration across its extensive landholding.
Bottom Line?
With metallurgical risks mitigated, High-Tech Metals is poised to accelerate Mt Fisher’s path to production and value creation.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the upcoming Scoping Study quantify project economics and capital requirements?
- What are the terms and timelines for ore processing under the joint venture with SSH Group?
- Could further resource upgrades or exploration success materially increase Mt Fisher’s gold inventory?
