Independent Metallurgical Operations (IMO) is proud to have played an instrumental role in supporting Brightstar Resources with their Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS)-level metallurgical testwork for the Cork Tree Well deposit within the Laverton Gold Project. Our expert team, led by Project Metallurgist Justin McGinnity, provided a comprehensive suite of metallurgical services designed to optimize the extraction and recovery of gold, ensuring Brightstar’s ongoing development success. Below, we outline the key metallurgical testwork programs, results, and insights that helped guide Brightstar toward advancing the Cork Tree Well project.
About Brightstar Resources
Brightstar Resources is an emerging Australian gold company focused on creating shareholder value through a portfolio of gold assets in Western Australia. The company’s operations include the underground Second Fortune Gold Mine, located south of Laverton, and the Selkirk Mining Joint Venture at Menzies, where they poured their first gold in March 2024. Brightstar is also expanding its asset base with the integration of the Sandstone and Montague East Gold Project into its portfolio, bringing a combined JORC Mineral Resource of 3.0Moz Au at 1.5g/t Au.
The company’s strategic focus on high-potential, gold-rich projects in the Laverton, Menzies, and Sandstone districts offers excellent optionality for staged development and growth. The inclusion of Cork Tree Well in the Laverton Gold Project further strengthens Brightstar’s position in one of the world’s most promising gold regions.
IMO’s Role in Cork Tree Well’s Metallurgical Testwork
In line with Brightstar’s vision of becoming a significant ASX-listed gold producer, Perth based company IMO was entrusted with conducting advanced metallurgical testwork for the Cork Tree Well deposit, located within the Laverton Gold Project. The testwork was essential for developing a clear understanding of the metallurgical characteristics of the ore and informing the design of an effective and efficient processing flowsheet.
Our experienced team carried out a detailed program of testwork that included comminution, leaching, gravity separation, and reagent optimization studies. The primary objective was to evaluate the ore’s behaviour under the planned conventional Carbon-in-Leach (CIL) circuit, which Brightstar had elected as the processing method. The CIL circuit is widely recognized for its simplicity and efficiency in gold recovery, making it an ideal choice for Cork Tree Well.
The testwork involved assessing materials from Brightstar’s 2024 diamond drilling program, which provided comprehensive and representative samples from various rock types and oxidation states within the deposit. As the managing consultants for the DFS metallurgical program, IMO’s role was to not only optimize the gold recovery process but also to identify potential challenges and mitigate risks before moving forward with the development.
Key Findings and Results
The metallurgical testwork yielded several key insights that were critical for the advancement of the Cork Tree Well deposit. Below are the primary findings:
1. Deleterious Elements Considered Low: One of the critical factors in gold processing is the presence of deleterious elements that may interfere with the extraction process. Our tests confirmed that the ore from Cork Tree Well has low levels of such elements, which ensures minimal interference during processing and enhances the efficiency of the CIL circuit.
2. No Evidence of Preg-Robbing: Preg-robbing refers to the tendency of certain minerals, such as carbonaceous materials, to adsorb gold from solution, reducing recovery rates. Fortunately, our testwork showed no evidence of preg-robbing, meaning the gold recovery process is expected to perform at optimal levels with minimal losses.
3. Gold Recovery Exceeding 90%: The results of the testwork demonstrated an outstanding gold recovery rate of over 90%. This high recovery rate underscores the potential of the Cork Tree Well deposit and positions the project for strong economic outcomes. The gravity gold content also stood out, with recoveries of gold from gravity separation ranging from 25% to 60%, highlighting the significant contribution that gravity methods can make to overall recovery.
The findings confirmed that the Cork Tree Well deposit, across all rock types and oxidation states, exhibits exceptional recoveries, making it a highly promising target for future development. As Brightstar’s Managing Director, Alex Rovira, noted: “The results from our testwork program have proven that Cork Tree Well recovers exceptionally well across all rock types and oxidation states. Material feeding the testwork programs were from our 2024 diamond drilling program, with comprehensive leaching and comminution testwork being assessed by our DFS metallurgical consultants, IMO.”
Why Choose IMO for Metallurgical Services?
IMO stands as the largest metallurgical group in Australia, offering world-class metallurgical consulting and testwork services for resource projects globally. We specialize in delivering tailored solutions for complex metallurgical challenges, combining technical expertise, innovative methodologies, and state-of-the-art laboratory capabilities to ensure the highest standards of quality and precision.
Our acquisition by SGS, a leading multinational, has further expanded IMO’s capabilities regionally and internationally, allowing us to provide enhanced services, such as advanced assaying, asbestos testing, and fibre analysis, among others. This expanded capacity positions IMO as an ideal partner for resource companies looking to achieve optimal metallurgical outcomes.
Having previously supported the Menzies Gold deposit owner in 2020 with scoping study metallurgical work, IMO has an extensive track record of successful collaborations with mining companies in Australia and beyond. Our dedicated metallurgical team is committed to delivering results that exceed expectations and add value to our clients’ operations.
Conclusion
The partnership between Brightstar Resources and IMO highlights the importance of advanced metallurgical testwork in the successful development of gold projects. By delivering precise, accurate, and insightful metallurgical evaluations, IMO has played a vital role in enabling Brightstar to move forward with confidence in their Cork Tree Well deposit.
We look forward to continuing to support Brightstar in their ongoing development and expansion efforts, ensuring that their projects are optimized for success at every stage.