TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - June 22, 2016) -Dalradian Resources Inc. (TSX:DNA)(AIM:DALR) ('Dalradian' or the 'Company') announces metallurgical test results, including overall gold recovery of 94.3%, for its Curraghinalt deposit in Northern Ireland. The test work results from the Feasibility Study (FS) metallurgical program demonstrate that gold recoveries over 94% are achievable with a simplified processing circuit that allows for a coarser primary grind size and reduced process equipment. Final metallurgical results are pending and will be included in the FS expected to be released this autumn.
As a result of this test work, the FS is proceeding on processing by single-stage grinding, flotation and CIL on the flotation concentrate. Secondary grinding and gravity concentration have been removed from the processing flowsheet. With on-going test work and additional geometallurgical study to further refine the metallurgical response, there is potential to improve this overall recovery.
Patrick F.N. Anderson, Dalradian's Chairman and CEO, commented:
'We continue in our work to de-risk the project. These results demonstrate gold recoveries above 94% while also simplifying the processing and reducing the equipment required. Curraghinalt's mineralization has excellent flotation and leach recoveries using industry standard, proven processing technologies. Test work shows a marked improvement in grind size compared with historical results and the resulting streamlining of the flowsheet are advantageous to the project.'
More detailed results of the FS metallurgical test work to date is summarized below:
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61 variability composite samples were selected and tested. Composite selection was designed to represent the overall deposit in terms of spatial distribution of the drill hole intercepts, along with the grades and the lithologies encountered. Samples were taken from the Snapshot, Bend, Sperrin, Causeway, Road, Crow, Mullan, Sheep Dip, No.1, V55, T17, V75 and 106-16 veins, with an average grade of 8.3 g/t gold (ranging from 0.5 - 74.5 g/t).
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Comminution test work indicates that the mineralization is softer than historically reported, with an average Bond Ball Mill Work Index of 13.1 kWh/t and a SAG Mill Comminution (SMC) test A x b average result
of 58.9
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Abrasion index result of 0.14 g is similar to the historical abrasion index of 0.13 g
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With the addition of flotation to the processing and further optimization, the primary grind size can be coarsened from approximately 80% passing 141um for Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) to approximately 80% passing 240um. This is achievable in a single grinding stage.
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The average gold recovery to a rougher flotation concentrate is 97.7% with an average mass pull of 11.4%. This recovery was achieved without gravity recovery prior to rougher flotation.
The average concentrate leach recovery is 96.6% with an overall recovery of 94.3%.
Qualified Person
Eric Tremblay, P.Eng., Chief Operating Officer, Dalradian Resources, is the Qualified Person who supervised the preparation of the technical data in this news release. The test work was undertaken at Base Met Labs in Kamloops, BC.
About Dalradian Resources Inc.
Dalradian Resources Inc. is a gold exploration and development company that is focused on advancing its high-grade Curraghinalt Gold Project located in Northern Ireland, United Kingdom. The Company is in the midst of a work program in support of a planning (permitting) application for construction of an operating mine at Curraghinalt. Components of the program include a feasibility study, an environmental and social impact assessment and underground exploration (at least 950 metres of development with associated test stoping).
In May 2016, Dalradian announced an updated mineral resource estimate for Curraghinalt, including a 109% increase in gold ounces contained in the Measured and Indicated categories compared with the 2014 resource. The current resource consists of 2.1 million ounces of contained gold in the Measured and Indicated categories (5.61 million tonnes at 11.61 g/t) and 2.3 million ounces of contained gold in the Inferred category (7.13 million tonnes at 10.06 g/t gold). For further information, see the NI 43-101 technical report entitled, 'Technical Report for the Northern Ireland Gold Project, Northern Ireland', dated June 17, 2016 and prepared by Dr. Jean-Francois Couture, PGeo (APGO#0197) and Dr. Oy Leuangthong, PEng (PEO#90563867), both of SRK Consulting (Canada) Inc. and Stacy Freudigmann, PEng (APEGBC #33972) of JDS Energy & Mining Inc.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This news release contains 'forward looking information' which may include, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the future financial or operating performance of the Company and its subsidiaries and its mineral project, the future price of metals, test work and confirming results from work performed to date, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, capital, operating and exploration expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, costs and timing of future exploration, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims, limitations of insurance coverage, the timing and possible outcome of pending regulatory matters and the realization of the expected economics of the Curraghinalt gold deposit. Often, but not always, forward looking statements can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as 'plans', 'expects', 'is expected', 'budget', 'scheduled', 'estimates', 'forecasts', 'intends', 'anticipates', or 'believes' or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements that certain actions, events or results 'may', 'could', 'would', 'might' or 'will' be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and are based on various assumptions such as the continued political stability in Northern Ireland, that permits required for Dalradian's operations will be obtained on a timely basis in order to permit Dalradian to proceed on schedule with its planned exploration and development programs, that skilled personnel and contractors will be available as Dalradian's operations continue to grow, that the price of gold will be at levels that render Dalradian's mineral project economic, that the Company will be able to continue raising the necessary capital to finance its operations and realize on mineral resource estimates and current mine plans, that the assumptions contained in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment are accurate and complete, that results from the infill drilling program continue to be positive, that the mineral resource update is positive, that the results of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment and the Feasibility Study will be positive and that a permitting application for mine construction will be approved.
Forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Dalradian to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking statements. Such factors include, among others, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current and future exploration activities; the actual results of reclamation activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; meeting various expected cost estimates; changes in project parameters and/or economic assessments as plans continue to be refined; future prices of metals; possible variations of mineral grade or recovery rates; the risk that actual costs may exceed estimated costs; failure of plant, equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; political instability; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of development or construction activities, as well as those factors discussed in the section entitled 'Risk Factors' in the Company's annual information form. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward looking statements contained herein are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements.