Tagpura Porphyry Skarn Copper-Gold
The higher grade Tagpura porphyry skarn has a “conceptual or order of magnitude” potential tonnage range of some 10 Mt to 15 Mt, with a potential grade range from 0.50% copper and 0.20 g/t gold to 0.70% copper and 0.31 g/t gold.
The quality and quantity of the resource definition data is sufficient to commence an initial resource estimation of the Tagpura porphyry skarn copper-gold zone. This includes 3,510m of drilling, detailed geological mapping, detailed channel sampling with the collection of over 700 channel samples, surveying, geophysics and extensive specific gravity determinations.
Tagpura Porphyry Skarn Drill Intercepts
| Hole | Intercept meters | Incl. meters | Copper % | Gold g/t |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDG 1 | 208.6 | 0.45 | 0.17 | |
| 88 | 0.92 | 0.34 | ||
| 49 | 1.30 | 0.40 | ||
| TGD 4 | 83 | 0.52 | 0.12 | |
| TGD 5 | 41 | 0.54 | 0.31 | |
| TGD 14 | 148 | 0.41 | 0.11 | |
| 75.6 | 0.60 | 0.13 | ||
| 33 | 0.81 | 0.33 | ||
| TGD 15 | 162.6 | 0.80 | 0.31 | |
| TGD 24 | 112.5 | 0.52 | 0.23 | |
| TGRC 30 | 119 | 0.33 | 0.10 | |
| 22 | 1.12 | 0.30 | ||
| TDG 60 | 116 | 0.72 | 0.30 | |
| 60 | 1.20 | 0.52 | ||
| 30 | 2.10 | 0.80 |
Amenability Test Work
Amenability test work has been undertaken by Pacific Ore (Australia) Pty Ltd, using its proprietary technology “BioHeap™”.
After 47 days and 63 days (Skarn), based on residue assays, the results were:
| Mineralized Material |
Head Grade Au (ppm) |
Head Grade Cu (%) |
Head Grade Fe (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porphyry Bench 2 | 0.11 | 0.42 | 6.04 |
| Porphyry Skarn | 0.66 | 1.96 | 19.2 |
Recovery
| Mineralized Material |
Recovery Au % | Recovery Cu % | Recovery Fe % |
|---|---|---|---|
| Porphyry Bench 2 | 90 | 97.4 | 27.30 |
| Porphyry Skarn | 93.7- | 85.5 | 14.3 |
Significantly, these results indicate that the BioHeap™ leaching technology is suitable for the Tagpura porphyry copper-gold and porphyry skarn mineralized material.
Internal scoping studies are underway for a proposed on-site bacterial heap leach operation of up to two million tonnes per annum (“2Mt pa”).
This approach offers the potential of early production and early cash flow, with additional benefits being: lower capital costs; lower operating costs; enhanced global long-term competitiveness in copper-gold production and supply; limited environmental footprint; technology transfer; and improved skill training for professional, technical and non-technical people.
Mining Option
The porphyry skarn high grade resource is located within an existing open pit. This enables the “box cut” mining method to be considered the most appropriate approach, particularly as there is no overburden to remove and thus mining costs will be optimized.