Caprice Resources reports metallurgical testwork on its Vadrians deposit achieving up to 94% gold recovery via conventional gravity and CIL processing, supporting a low-cost extraction pathway at its Island Gold Project.
- Up to 94% gold recovery from high-grade Vadrians composite
- Significant free gold fraction enables simple processing
- Rapid leach kinetics and moderate reagent use observed
- No preg-robbing or asbestos minerals detected
- Follow-up testing planned to assess ore variability
High Gold Recovery Validates Processing Approach
Caprice Resources Ltd (ASX:CRS) has delivered encouraging metallurgical test results from its Vadrians deposit at the Island Gold Project in Western Australia’s Murchison Goldfields. Testing on a high-grade composite sample averaging 13.3 g/t gold returned overall recoveries of up to 94% using a conventional gravity and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processing route. This outcome confirms the mineralisation’s amenability to established, cost-effective extraction methods.
The composite sample, representing a future underground mining panel, showed a substantial free gold component with gravity recoveries exceeding 33%. Rapid leach kinetics were recorded, with over 92% of gold extracted within 24 hours at a grind size of 75 microns. Moderate reagent consumption and no evidence of preg-robbing or harmful asbestiform minerals further enhance the processing outlook.
Testwork Details and Implications for Processing
JT Metallurgical Services conducted the testwork, which included gravity concentration using a Knelson concentrator followed by intensive cyanide leaching of gravity concentrates and tails at various grind sizes. The results demonstrated minor sensitivity to grind size, with strong recoveries maintained even at coarser grinds of 106 microns (up to 92%).
Leach solution assays revealed low concentrations of deleterious elements such as copper and silver, which can often increase reagent consumption and operational costs. The average cyanide consumption recorded was 0.71 kg per tonne, with scope to reduce this further by optimising pH levels during processing.
Acid mine drainage characterisation indicated the ore has acid-forming potential due to its sulphide content, particularly pyrrhotite and pyrite. This finding will necessitate environmental management strategies during development but is consistent with the high-grade nature of the composite tested.
Next Steps in Metallurgical and Resource Development
Caprice managing director Luke Cox highlighted that the next phase of metallurgical work will focus on medium and lower-grade composites expected to form future mill feed. These samples are anticipated to have lower sulphide concentrations, which may improve leach kinetics and reduce reagent usage further.
With a 50,000-metre drilling campaign underway, the company is rapidly expanding the known mineralised footprint at Island Gold. The positive metallurgical results complement the strong drilling intercepts and underpin Caprice’s progression towards a maiden Mineral Resource estimate and subsequent development studies.
The metallurgical testwork outcomes align with processing flowsheets used successfully in nearby Murchison operations such as Cue, Mt Magnet, and Meekatharra, reinforcing the feasibility of conventional processing routes for Vadrians ore.
Bottom Line?
Caprice’s strong metallurgical results from Vadrians reinforce the Island Gold Project’s potential, though upcoming tests on variable ore grades and environmental management of acid-forming sulphides remain key milestones.
Questions in the middle?
- How will metallurgical performance vary across medium and lower-grade ore domains?
- What environmental strategies will Caprice adopt to manage acid mine drainage risks?
- When can investors expect a maiden Mineral Resource estimate incorporating these metallurgical insights?