North Bay Resources Achieves 97% Gold Recovery in Fran Gold Project

North Bay Resources Inc. has announced impressive results from its metallurgical studies at the Fran Gold Project in British Columbia, achieving a remarkable 97% gold recovery. This achievement is a significant milestone for the company, showcasing the effectiveness of their extraction methods and the potential profitability of the project.

Key Takeaways

• Gold Recovery Rate: 97% total recovery, with 67% from gravity and 30% from flotation.
• Concentrate Upgrade: Head grade upgraded from 0.9 ounces per ton to 11.23 ounces per ton gold.
• Advanced Testing Methods: Utilized state-of-the-art microwave digestion and optical emission spectrometry for accurate analysis.

Overview of the Metallurgical Studies

The metallurgical studies conducted by North Bay Resources involved a comprehensive analysis of the gold recovery process at the Fran Gold Project. The results indicate a total recovery rate of 97%, achieved through a combination of gravity separation and flotation techniques. The gravity method accounted for 67% of the recovery, while flotation contributed 30%.

The head grade of the ore was initially reported at 0.9 ounces per ton of gold. However, through the gravity separation process, this was upgraded to an impressive 8.54 ounces per ton. The subsequent flotation process further enhanced the concentrate to a total of 11.23 ounces per ton, representing a twelvefold concentration of gold.

Testing Methodology

The testing was conducted at Woods Process Services, employing advanced techniques to ensure accurate results:

• Microwave Digestion: A CEM Mars 6 microwave digestion system was used to prepare samples, ensuring complete dissolution of the sample matrix.
• Optical Emission Spectrometry: The Agilent ICP-OES 5800 was utilized to analyze the resulting solutions, allowing for precise quantification of various elements.

Gravity and Flotation Processes

The gravity separation process involved the use of a Knelson concentrator, which effectively separated heavy materials (concentrates) from lighter gangue materials (tails). The concentrates were then dried and prepared for fire assay, while the tails underwent further analysis.

Flotation tests were conducted on the gravity tails, utilizing a series of conditioning and frothing steps to maximize gold recovery. The process involved:

1. Conditioning the milled material with reagents for five minutes.
2. Adding a frother to create a froth for concentrate collection.
3. Repeating the conditioning and frothing process multiple times to ensure optimal recovery.

Implications for North Bay Resources

The successful metallurgical results are expected to have a positive impact on North Bay Resources' future operations. The high recovery rate and significant concentrate upgrade indicate that the Fran Gold Project has the potential to be a lucrative venture. As the company continues to refine its processes and expand its operations, these results will likely attract further investment and interest in the project.

In conclusion, North Bay Resources' announcement of a 97% gold recovery rate marks a significant achievement in the mining sector, highlighting the effectiveness of their extraction methods and the promising future of the Fran Gold Project.

Sources

• North Bay Resources Announces MET Results of 97% Gold Recovery with Upgrade to 11.2 Ounces per Ton Concentrate, Fran Gold Project; Completes 120 Ton Winter Ore Shipment, Yahoo Finance.