BBX Minerals has reported “impressive” results from a bioleaching pilot plant test using a sample from the Três Estados gold and platinum group elements (PGE) project in Brazil.
The test was conducted by EcoBiome Metals LLC at a certified facility in Texas using a 50 kilogram section of a homogenised sample from a hole drilled for metallurgical purposes.
It was the second test of its kind following the execution last month of a product supply and intellectual property licence agreement between the two companies.
Fire assays conducted by ALS Metallurgy in Canada returned a combined total of 16.52 grams per tonne palladium and gold (15.90g/t palladium and 0.62g/t gold), potentially underscoring an abundance of precious metals within the mineral resource.
Substantial enhancement
BBX chief executive officer Andre J Douchane said the findings indicate a substantial enhancement in metal recovery through the bioleaching process.
“[The increased grade] of precious metals is the most exciting news to date to come from the pilot plant test work at Ecobiome,” he said.
“If the bioleaching process continues to deliver encouraging results, this could be a game changer for Três Estados project and for BBX.”
Testing process
The pilot plant test was overseen by BBX technical manager Edmar Medeiros, who assisted in process control planning, development of operations and procedures and sampling methodology.
The plant operated continuously for the duration of the test with no reports of any technical issues, failures or process instabilities.
The 50kg sample was reacted with the EcoBiome proprietary technology and its novel metals- cultured platinum group metals (PGM) microbes.
The material was then collected from the tanks and dried.
Increase in recovered grade
The results demonstrated a strong increase in recovered grade during the 192 hour testing period, jumping from 0.13g/t to 16.52g/t.
Importantly, the grade increased consistently every 24 hours.
“The results indicate that there could be a potential increase in recovered grade following a longer bioleaching period beyond the 192 hours adopted for this test,” Mr Douchane said.
“Therefore [we will be conducting] subsequent pilot plant tests for an extended period aiming for continuous improvements and maximising recoveries.”
He added that the results had unveiled “tremendous potential” for BBX and its stakeholders.
