|
Gold
recoveries up to 96% through conventional processes
Helio Resource Corp. ("Helio" or the "Company")
(TSX-V: HRC) is very pleased to report the first metallurgical testwork
results from the SMP gold project. Summary results include:
- Optimum circuit responses
(% Au recoveries) as follows:
- 95.6% by Gravity Separation
+ Gravity Tailing Flotation
- 95.6% by Whole Ore
Flotation
- 94.5% by Gravity
Separation + Gravity Tailing Cyanidation
- 93.3% by Gravity
Separation + Flotation Concentrate Cyanidation
- 92.5% by Whole Ore
Cyanidation
- 34.7% by Gravity
Separation
- Bond ball mill work index
of 15 (metric) -- "intermediate hardness"
- No preg-robbing activity
detected
- Low cyanide consumption
- Tailings should be
non-acid generating and free from environmentally deleterious
elements
The testwork
was undertaken by SGS Lakefield Research Limited ("SGS") in
Ontario, Canada on a composite sample from the Kenge target. Tests
included head grade analysis, mineralogical evaluation, comminution
testwork, gravity separation, flotation, cyanidation (of whole ore, gravity
tailing and flotation concentrate) and preliminary environmental testing.
Further information and the full results of the metallurgical testwork
are available in a report from SGS available on the Company's website at www.helioresource.com.
A 50kg test sample was composited from coarse reject material from
mineralised drill core. Material for the test sample was sourced from
three previously reported diamond drill holes (SZD011 from Kenge SE Zone,
and SZD013 and SZD021 from Kenge Main Zone).
Helio composited the test sample to have a weighted average head grade of
3.05g/t Au on the basis of the previously reported assaying (Company
press releases dated March 21, 2007 and May 23, 2007). Particularly
encouraging is the fact that screened metallics tests by SGS gave an
average head grade for the test sample of 3.6g/t Au -- significantly
higher than expected.
It is important to note that coarse reject drill core was used, as
opposed to fine-grained pulverised material from RC drilling which
oxidises rapidly over time and therefore may give unrealistic
metallurgical results.
The Company is very encouraged by these metallurgical test results, which
support internal petrological, mineralogical and analytical studies
indicating that: mineralised material from the Kenge target has a simple
mineralogy; gold recoveries by both gravity and conventional flotation /
cyanidation processes should be high; and tailing materials should have a
limited environmental impact.
Further metallurgical testwork is planned in order to optimise grinding
sizes and flotation flowsheet configurations, etc.
The Company currently has three drill rigs at the SMP project, focused on
drilling the Kenge and Porcupine targets. A resource statement is
expected to be available before the end of the year.
ABOUT THE SMP GOLD PROJECT
Helio, through its 100% owned subsidiary BAFEX Tanzania Ltd., can earn a
100% interest in four contiguous licences, which cover a 27km strike
length of the Saza Shear Zone (see news releases dated December 19, 2005
and September 11, 2006). The project covers the eastern part of the New
Saza Gold Mine, which operated between 1939 -- 1956, producing
approximately 270,000 ounces of gold at an average grade of 7.5g/t Au.
Since June 2006, the Company has drill-tested eleven targets, nine
of which are hosted by the Saza Shear Zone. All eleven targets have
intersected bedrock-hosted gold mineralisation, the most advanced
being the Kenge Target, which has returned up to 22.0m grading 6.9g/t
gold in the Main Zone (Company press release dated May 23, 2007).The
thickest mineralised intercept at Kenge is from the Mbenge Zone (39.2m @
2.6g/t Au - Company press release dated March 25, 2008). The thickest
mineralised intercept to date at the SMP was drilled at the Porcupine
target (52.2m grading 3.3g/t Au -- Company press release dated July 21,
2008).
Chris MacKenzie, M.Sc., C.Geol., Helio's COO and a Qualified Person as
designated by NI 43-101, supervises the sampling and quality assurance /
quality control programmes at the SMP Programme, and has reviewed and
approved the contents of this news release.
Helio is a dynamic, technically-driven mineral exploration company,
focused on high-quality project generation in southern Africa. Helio's
main focus is the development of the SMP gold project in Tanzania. As
part of its strategic approach to project development, Helio has optioned
9 of its Namibian licences to Desert Minerals (UK) Ltd. and continues to
pursue joint venture partners for its other projects in Namibia.
For additional information, please contact Richard Williams or Irene
Dorsman at +1 604 638 8007 or by e-mail to richard@helioresource.com or irene@helioresource.com.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
HELIO RESOURCE CORP
"Richard
D. Williams"
Richard D. Williams, P.Geo
CEO
|
"Chris
MacKenzie"
Christopher J. MacKenzie, C.Geol.
COO
|
The TSX Venture Exchange has
not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
|