Canarc
Resource Corp. (CCM:TSX and CRCUF:OTC-BB)
reports that initial metallurgical
tests show excellent gold recoveries from a 4.7 kg trench sample of
saprolite mineralization in the JQA prospect area of the Benzdorp
property, Suriname.
The
purpose of these initial tests was to establish whether the gold
content could be readily recovered from saprolite ore using simple
gravity and flotation methods and without any crushing or grinding
of the sample. Almost
80% of the gold was recovered in this simple manner, indicating that
the processing of saprolite ore should have very low costs on a per
oz or per tonne basis.
The
following test work was conducted by Process Research Associates
Ltd. (�PRI�), metallurgical specialists to the mining
industry:
1)
Trench sample #MTS weighed 4.7 kg and returned an initial
assayed head grade of 1.20 gpt gold.
2)
It was attrition scrubbed on a
Tyler
35 mesh screen, and approximately 4.5 kg (96%) passed through to
form
the
�35 mesh fines fraction which assayed 1.5 to 2.0 gpt
gold.
3)
The �35 mesh fines were run through a Falcon centrifugal
concentrator at 200 G, recovering 51.5% of the gold
in
a single pass.
4)
The �35 mesh Falcon tails were then processed in a flotation
circuit, recovering an additional 28.1% of
the
gold in rougher and scavenger concentrates.
5)
The +35 mesh coarse fraction was pulverized to �200 mesh and
assayed 3.32 gpt gold.
6)
It was then hand panned, recovering 7.1% of the gold or an
additional 0.6% of the total gold.
7)
Total gold recovery from simple gravity and flotation methods
before optimization is 80.2%.
Although
additional gold recoveries are still possible through optimization
of the gravity and flotation circuits, PRI first recommends a test
program of grinding the saprolite ore. Because saprolite is soft
and clay-rich, it has a low work index and so should be very
amenable to lower cost grinding methods.
Exploration
work has now re-commenced on the Benzdorp property. Reconnaissance prospecting
and sampling is underway to try and extend the known belt of gold
mineralization north and south of the JQA prospect. Additional machine trenches
are planned in March to fill in the 1.5 km strike length of
JQA. A 3000 m drill
contract has been signed and the first drill program should commence
in April.