Arizona Sonoran Achieves Average of 87% Extraction Rates of Soluble Copper in the Enriched Material
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company announces positive results from its column leach metallurgical testing program at the Cactus Project, Arizona. Parks/Salyer deposit achieved an average soluble copper extraction rate of 87% over 180 days from 6 oxide and enriched composite columns, while Stockpile columns showed an 86% extraction rate over 100 days.
The company has initiated a $3 million metallurgical program ahead of the H2 2025 Prefeasibility Study, focusing on Parks/Salyer deposit testing. The program includes testing of enriched columns, enriched/oxide composites, and primary sulphide columns using conventional heap leaching methods.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company annuncia risultati positivi dal suo programma di test metallurgici con colonna presso il Cactus Project, in Arizona. Il deposito Parks/Salyer ha raggiunto un tasso medio di estrazione di rame solubile dell'87% dopo 180 giorni da 6 colonne composte di ossidi e arricchite, mentre le colonne di accumulo hanno mostrato un tasso di estrazione dell'86% dopo 100 giorni.
La società ha avviato un programma metallurgico da 3 milioni di dollari in preparazione dello Studio di Prefattibilità H2 2025, concentrandosi sui test del deposito Parks/Salyer. Il programma include test di colonne arricchite, composti arricchiti/ossidati e colonne di sulfuri primari utilizzando metodi convenzionali di lavaggio in cumulo.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company anuncia resultados positivos de su programa de pruebas metalúrgicas por columnas en el Proyecto Cactus, Arizona. El depósito Parks/Salyer logró una tasa de extracción promedio de cobre soluble del 87% durante 180 días a partir de 6 columnas compuestas de óxido y enriquecidas, mientras que las columnas de acopio mostraron una tasa de extracción del 86% durante 100 días.
La compañía ha iniciado un programa metalúrgico de 3 millones de dólares en preparación para el Estudio de Prefactibilidad H2 2025, centrándose en las pruebas del depósito Parks/Salyer. El programa incluye pruebas de columnas enriquecidas, compuestos enriquecidos/óxidos y columnas de sulfuro primario utilizando métodos convencionales de lixiviación en pilas.
아리조나 소노란 구리 회사는 아리조나의 카투스 프로젝트에서 컬럼 침출 메탈르기 시험 프로그램의 긍정적인 결과를 발표했습니다. 파크스/살리어 매장지는 6개의 산화물 및 농축 복합 열로부터 180일 동안 평균 87%의 용해 구리 추출율을 달성했습니다. 재고 열은 100일 동안 86%의 추출률을 보였습니다.
회사는 300만 달러의 메탈르기 프로그램을 H2 2025 예비 타당성 조사에 앞서 시작했습니다. 이 프로그램은 농축 열, 농축/산화 복합체 및 주요 황화물 열을 전통적인 힙 리칭 방법을 사용하여 시험하는 것을 포함합니다.
Arizona Sonoran Copper Company annonce des résultats positifs de son programme d'essai métallurgique par colonne au projet Cactus, en Arizona. Le dépôt Parks/Salyer a atteint un taux d'extraction de cuivre soluble moyen de 87% sur 180 jours à partir de 6 colonnes composites oxydées et enrichies, tandis que les colonnes de stockage ont montré un taux d'extraction de 86% sur 100 jours.
L'entreprise a lancé un programme métallurgique de 3 millions de dollars en préparation de l'étude de préfaisabilité H2 2025, en se concentrant sur les tests du dépôt Parks/Salyer. Le programme comprend des tests de colonnes enrichies, de composites enrichis/oxydés et de colonnes de sulfure primaire utilisant des méthodes conventionnelles de lixiviation en tas.
Die Arizona Sonoran Copper Company gibt positive Ergebnisse aus ihrem metallurgischen Testprogramm zur Säulenlauge beim Cactus-Projekt in Arizona bekannt. Das Parks/Salyer-Vorkommen erzielte eine durchschnittliche lösliche Kupferextraktionsrate von 87% über 180 Tage aus 6 Oxid- und angereicherten Komposit-Säulen, während die Lagerhaltesäulen eine Extraktionsrate von 86% über 100 Tage aufwiesen.
Das Unternehmen hat ein metallurgisches Programm im Wert von 3 Millionen Dollar im Vorfeld der Machbarkeitsstudie für das zweite Halbjahr 2025 gestartet, das sich auf Tests des Parks/Salyer-Vorkommens konzentriert. Das Programm umfasst Tests an angereicherten Säulen, angereicherten/oxidischen Komposits und primären Sulfid-Säulen unter Verwendung konventioneller Heap-Leaching-Methoden.
- 87% copper extraction rate achieved in Parks/Salyer deposit over 180 days
- 86% extraction rate in Stockpile columns over 100 days
- Potential increase to 93.7% copper extraction at 210 days of leaching
- No deleterious materials found across deposits
- None.
These updated Parks/Salyer extraction results compare well to the soluble copper rates of
Following the recommendation from the 2024 PEA, ASCU has begun to implement the
Samples from Cactus, Parks/Salyer and the Stockpile were prepped and composited for the 2025 PFS metallurgical test program using both Base Met and McClelland laboratories, overseen by Steve Dixon, ASCU Chief Engineer with Laurie Tahija of M3 Engineering acting as qualified person.
Steve Dixon, ASCU Chief Metallurgist commented, “Across the Parks/Salyer, Cactus West and Cactus East deposits, we benefit from similar mineralogies and no deleterious materials as evidenced from four years of metallurgical testing on the three deposits. Test work using standard best practice conditions is ongoing and will continue until we hand off testing to operations, assuming a positive construction decision post-Definitive Feasibility Study. To date, we are encouraged to see the first two columns from the new MainSpring property behaving similarly to Parks/Salyer, as expected. Overall, the Cactus Project oxide and enriched recoveries and leach times perform in line‑ with other operating mines within Arizona’s copper belt.”
Metallurgical Testing Program – Oxide, Enriched, Stockpile Material Type
The 12 completed columns were 20 feet (6 metres) in height and consisted of 6 columns from the Parks/Salyer deposit, including 2 focused on the new shallow MainSpring Property and 6 from the Stockpile. The Parks/Salyer oxide and enriched composites averaged
To date, completed Parks/Salyer composite columns total of 6 with grade ranges of
The term “heap efficiency factor” is the relationship of column test results to operational results. A world class operation would have a factor close to
There will be additional copper extracted from material in the heap after the three leach cycles if the use of best practice in the loading and operation is done. This additional copper extraction after three leach cycles is not part of the model.
Planned Program
As part of the ongoing metallurgical program, and in advance of the 2025 PFS expected to be issued in H2 2025, the next planned columns are dedicated to 5 enriched columns, 2 enriched/oxide composite columns and 4 primary columns, all from the Parks/Salyer deposit, with the exception of two primary sulphide columns filled by material from Cactus West. Primary material columns will test the impact of heat application versus ambient conditions at McClelland Lab, while Base Met will also test at ambient temperature.
Qualified Persons Statement
Technical aspects related to the metallurgical program of this press release have been reviewed and verified by Laurie Tahija of M3 Engineering, who is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. The indicative metallurgical information presented describes preliminary results from testing that is currently in progress and subject to confirmation. Final metallurgical performance estimates will require decommissioning of the columns and analysis of the column residues.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor the regulating authority has approved or disproved the information contained in this press release.
About Arizona Sonoran Copper Company (www.arizonasonoran.com | www.cactusmine.com)
ASCU is a copper exploration and development company with a
Cautionary Statements regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Other Matters
Forward-Looking Statements
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements” and "forward-looking information" (collectively, “forward-looking statements”) within the meaning of applicable Canadian and
Preliminary Economic Assessments
The 2024 Preliminary Economic Assessment (or 2024 PEA) referenced in this press release and summarized in the 2024 PEA Technical Report is only a conceptual study of the potential viability of the Cactus Copper Project and the economic and technical viability of the Project has not been demonstrated. The 2024 PEA is preliminary in nature and provides only an initial, high-level review of the Project’s potential and design options; there is no certainty that the 2024 PEA will be realized. For further detail on the Project and the 2024 PEA, including applicable technical notes and cautionary statements, please refer to the Company’s press release dated August 7, 2024 and the 2024 PEA Technical Report, both available on the Company’s website at www.arizonasonoran.com and under its issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
Mineral Resource Estimates
Until mineral deposits are actually mined and processed, copper and other mineral resources (which include copper resources) must be considered as estimates only. Mineral resource estimates that are not classified as mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimation of mineral resources is inherently uncertain, involves subjective judgement about many relevant factors and may be materially affected by, among other things, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-political, marketing, or other known and unknown risks, uncertainties, contingencies and other factors described in the foregoing Cautionary Statements on Forward-Looking Statements. The quantity and grade of reported “inferred” mineral resource estimates are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define “inferred” mineral resource estimates as an “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading “inferred” mineral resource estimates to an “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource category. Inferred mineral resource estimates may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies or economic studies except for preliminary economic assessments. The accuracy of any mineral resource estimate is a function of the quantity and quality of available data, and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation, which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that may ultimately prove to be inaccurate. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of a “inferred”, “indicated” or “measured” mineral resource estimate will ever be upgraded to a higher category including a mineral reserve. The mineral resource estimates declared by the Company were estimated, categorized and reported using standards and definitions in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (the “CIM Standards”) in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 of the Canadian Securities Administrators (“NI 43-101”), which governs the public disclosure of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.
The terms “mineral resource”, “measured mineral resource”, “indicated mineral resource” and “inferred mineral resource” as disclosed by the Company are Canadian mining terms defined in the CIM Standards (collectively, the “CIM Definitions”) in accordance with NI 43-101. NI 43-101 establishes standards for all public disclosure that a Canadian issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. These Canadian standards differ from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) applicable to
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For more information
Alison Dwoskin, Director, Investor Relations
647-233-4348
adwoskin@arizonasonoran.com
George Ogilvie, President, CEO and Director
416-723-0458
gogilvie@arizonasonoran.com
Source: Arizona Sonoran Copper Company Inc.
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