Aurelia Metals Ltd Hera Project Update and First Gold Sales
23.09.2014 | ABN Newswire
Sydney, Australia (ABN Newswire) - Aurelia Metals Ltd. (ASX:AMI) ("AMI" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on development and commissioning activities at its Hera gold-lead-zinc Project.PROCESS PLANT HANDOVER COMPLETE
Formal handover of the Hera Process Plant ("Plant Acceptance") from Gekko Systems to Aurelia Metals has occurred following the successful completion of plant performance trials by Gekko Systems.
The performance trials included:
- A continuous 240 hour operating run processing 9600 tonnes of ore, including a continuous 12 hour run at 50 tonnes per hour;
- Equipment performance tests, and
- Grinding and environmental compliance tests
The process plant is now operating smoothly at capacity rates assumed in the project DFS (50 tonnes per hour at 80% availability). During the performance trial the plant achieved availabilities in excess of 90%.
Post Acceptance, Gekko will maintain a metallurgical presence through the next few months as part of operational training.
The flotation circuit continues to perform well, producing Pb-Zn concentrate at, or above, sale specification. Base metal recoveries continue to improve, with Pb recoveries now consistently >92% and Zn recoveries continuing to improve from around 80% to in excess of 92% in recent days. DFS metal recoveries assumed 91% for Pb and 90% for Zn. The project remains on track for first base metal concentrate sales in the December quarter.
All aspects of the precious metal circuit are operating to design specifications. The gravity circuit is working well and the concentrate leach circuit is also recovering gold to design.
FIRST GOLD SALES
Aurelia has now completed its first gold sales from the Hera Project, being the sale of 182 ounces of gold to the Perth Mint.
Aurelia's Managing Director, Rimas Kairaitis, commented:
"We are delighted to accept the Hera process plant following successful construction, commissioning and performance trials. Plant acceptance and first gold sales represent further important milestones for the Hera Project and the Company"
ABOUT THE HERA-NYMAGEE PROJECT
The Hera-Nymagee Project represents Aurelia's flagship Project and consists of the high-grade underground Hera gold-lead-zinc-silver mine (Aurelia 100%) and the Nymagee copper deposit (Aurelia 95%), and is located approximately 100km south-east of Cobar, in central NSW. The deposits are hosted in the Cobar Basin, which also host the major mineral deposits at CSA (Cu-Ag), The Peak (Cu-Au) and Endeavor (Cu-Pb-Zn-Ag).
Aurelia is now in final plant commissioning stages of the Hera project with first production commenced in the September quarter 2014, and first concentrate shipments due in the December quarter 2014. The Hera Mine produces gold and silver doré bars by gravity and concentrate leach and also produces a high-grade bulk-lead-zinc concentrate for sale.
Aurelia Metal is the only junior gold-lead-zinc producer listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX:AMI).
The Company is also currently evaluating the Nymagee copper deposit, located 4.5km to the north, with a view to demonstrating an integrated development of the Hera and Nymagee deposits.
Aurelia maintains a commitment to the ongoing exploration of the Hera-Nymagee Project and considers both deposits have the potential to evolve into very large "Cobar style' mineral systems.
To view photographs, please visit:
http://media.abnnewswire.net/media/en/docs/ASX-AMI-692093.pdf
About Aurelia Metals Ltd:
Aurelia Metals Ltd. (ASX:AMI) is focused on the development and exploration of the high grade Hera-Nymagee Project in the Cobar district of NSW.
Aurelia is actively drilling the evolving copper deposit at Nymagee with the potential that the Nymagee mineralisation may evolve into another 'Cobar Giant' similar to the world class CSA copper deposit located approximately 100km north-west along strike.
Aurelia also remains active in the exploration for copper, gold and tin on a number of tenements in the Lachlan Fold Belt of NSW.
Contact:
Aurelia Metals Ltd.
T: +61-2-6363-5200
F: +61-2-6361-4711
E: office@aureliametals.com
www.aureliametals.com