Altiplano Metals of Edmonton, Alta., is considering a magnetic separation plant for its Farellon copper-gold project near La Serena. The company says that copper recoveries from low grade mineralized material went up following magnetite separation.
Two 100-kg low grade samples were submitted for testing. Initially, sample 251178 graded 0.65% copper (0.03% soluble copper) and 36.70% iron. Sample 251179 graded 1.11% copper (0.04 soluble copper) and 33.70% iron. Both had measureable amounts of gold, silver, vanadium and cobalt.
The samples were crushed and milled, then passed through magnetic drums to separate magnetic iron. Sample 251178 then assayed 0.61% copper and 69.32% total iron. Sample 251179 tested 1.19% copper and 69.54% iron.
Altiplano CEO John Williamson said the team would continue to test - and hopefully confirm - that copper recoveries can be improved and a high iron concentrate produced with the use of magnetic separation.
(This article first appeared in the Canadian Mining Journal)