Tesoro Resources achieves high-gold recoveries on El Zorro ore using conventional methods
Tesoro managing director Zeff Reeves says he is excited by the “sheer scale” of the El Zorro gold district.
A second phase of metallurgical test work on ore from Tesoro Resources’ (ASX: TSO) El Zorro project in Chile has achieved a 94.5% gold recovery rate and confirmed the ore is amenable to conventional processing methods.
Test work was undertaken on various ore samples with ranging grades from the Ternera deposit, and was designed to determine the most appropriate grind size for future processing.
It also assessed the gravity recovered gold component, and cyanide leaching characteristics over the varying grades.
Results from the test work showed a simple processing method was suitable for Ternera mineralisation, with an overall gold recovery rate of 94.5%.
“These are first class metallurgical results confirming high gravity and cyanide leach recoveries that can be achieved for processing material from Ternera using conventional gravity and carbon-in-leach processes at coarse grind sizes,” Tesoro managing director Zeff Reeves said.
“These results have enabled the development of a very simple, generic, preliminary processing flowsheet and largely de-risks one of the project’s key revenue drivers as it advances towards development,” he added.
Gold mineralisation continues growing
The positive metallurgical test work results follow ongoing drilling success across El Zorro.
Earlier this week, Tesoro reported step out drilling had extended the length at Ternera by 400m.
Notable results were 90.5m at 0.59 grams per tonne gold from 435.5m, including 11.48m at 1.68g/t gold and 4.84m at 3.44g/t gold; and 26.3m at 2.91g/t gold from 101.7m, including 5.5m at 13.22g/t gold and 45m at 1g/t gold.
Ternera mineralisation has now been defined over 1.3km of strike, and remains open in all directions.
Additionally, infill drilling has extended and upgraded existing gold zones at the deposit.
Mr Reeves says the ongoing drill results demonstrate the project’s “exceptional potential” to build on the existing 660,000-ounce maiden gold resource.
“The Tesoro team is focused on delivering an expanded gold mineral resource in the 2022 first quarter to support the ongoing development of the El Zorro project,” Mr Reeves added.