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- 3D Resources (DDD) is progressing metallurgical testwork and exploration at the Adelong Gold Project in New South Wales
- Preliminary tests show a simple gravity system can be used for gold recoveries up to 45g/t, with concentrates to then be upgraded, smelted or sold
- The positive metallurgical results provide further incentive to upgrade the existing plant infrastructure at Adelong
- Assays from recent drilling are still being processed, with results expected in coming weeks
- Further exploration programs including geophysical surveys, geochemical sampling and drilling are planned for early 2021
- 3D is also finalising the terms of the initial public offering for subsidiary, Cosmo Gold, with shareholder approval expected in early December
- 3D Resources closed Monday’s session 16.67 per cent higher at 0.7 cents
3D Resources (DDD) is progressing metallurgical testwork and exploration at the Adelong Gold Project in New South Wales.
Metallurgical test results
3D has been working to test the Adelong ores using gravity techniques at a coarse grind size to produce a pre-concentrate.
Results to date show strong recoveries which can yield a high-grade concentrate.
Testing of samples from Run of Mine stockpiles showed 70 per cent of the gold can be recovered directly to a saleable concentrate of up to 45 grams per tonne (g/t) from higher grade ores.
The simple gravity system can be used as a low-cost process for recovering a major portion of the gold, with concentrates to then be upgraded, smelted or sold.
A bulk sample of lower-grade ores was also tested using a spiral concentrator.
Recoveries up to 24.4g/t were achieved, which is a solid result from such low-grade ores.
The company believes it should be feasible to upgrade this to a saleable concentrate with a simple cleaner spirals step — providing low-cost processing options for the Adelong ores.
It also provides further incentive to upgrade the existing plant infrastructure at Adelong.
The Drilling
Assay results are still awaited from the maiden drill program at Adelong.
Samples will be fire assayed, and any sample grading over 0.5g/t will undergo a 48-hour intense cyanide leach to refine the results. This is due to the fact Adelong ore grades have been understated in the past based on fire assays alone.
COVID-related delays have created a backlog at the lab, but results are expected in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, the company is progressing plans for more than 2000 metres of drilling to expand the known zones of mineralisation across a number of prospects at Adelong.
The company will also target a possible parallel vein structure at the Challenger deposit, and a southern extension to the known footprint.
Mine planning continues for the Challenger orebody, with a view to underground operations. Planning is at an advanced stage, though a review is being conducted to explore economical open-cut options as well.
Next steps
3D will also undertake geophysical surveys and geochemical sampling to generate further drill targets across the wider Adelong project area.
The company is also working towards further land access agreements to explore potential deposits to the north and south of current areas of interest.
Things are also progressing well with the proposed ASX listing of 3D subsidiary, Cosmo Gold.
Land access discussions are underway with the Yilka Talintji Aboriginal Corporation and the Waturta Group for the Cosmo Newbury project area.
3D is finalising the terms of the initial public offering for Cosmo, pending shareholder approval which is expected in early December.
3D Resources closed Monday’s session 16.67 per cent higher at 0.7 cents.
