Independent Metallurgical Operations Pty Ltd (IMO) has established itself as a leader in metallurgical testing, consultancy and operational support across the mining industry. Our work for with Prodigy Gold NL, a listed Australian company renowned for its unique greenfields and brownfields exploration portfolio, underscores our commitment to advancing mineral resources both responsibly and efficiently.
About Prodigy Gold NL
Prodigy Gold is at the forefront of gold exploration in Australia, particularly within the multimillion-ounce Tanami Gold Province. Their ongoing focus on the Tanami North Projects and the Buccaneer Project exhibits their commitment to uncovering valuable resources. As part of their strategic development, Prodigy Gold has engaged IMO to leverage our extensive experience in metallurgical testwork to unlock the potential of their mining prospects.
Metallurgical Testing Initiatives
In 2023, Prodigy Gold appointed IMO to conduct bench-scale metallurgical testwork on a series of gold-bearing Reverse Circulation (RC) drill samples from the Suess lode of the Hyperion deposit. This decision was founded on Prodigy Gold’s vision to obtain high-quality data that would guide their ongoing exploration initiatives and bolster investor confidence.
The initial testwork phase yielded promising insights that paved the way for subsequent testing. In late 2024, Prodigy Gold submitted additional samples from the Hyperion and Tethys lodes to IMO. This expanded metallurgical assessment also includes oxide, transition, and fresh composites.
Key Findings from the Metallurgical Testwork
Our team at IMO recently announced the preliminary results from the second phase of metallurgical testwork, focused on the Hyperion deposit. A total of 41 one-metre samples from the 2024 drilling programme were meticulously analysed, yielding valuable insights into the gold recovery efficiency across various material classifications.
The metallurgical analysis was conducted in two stages:
Stage 1: Sample Characterisation
This phase involved a comprehensive assessment of the samples to establish their respective gold-bearing capacities.
Stage 2: Gravity and Cyanide Leach Testwork
Following characterisation, we employed gravity separation and cyanide leaching methodologies to evaluate the potential gold recoveries. The results were remarkable, particularly for the oxide and transition samples, which exhibited excellent gold recoveries and reaffirmed the viability of the Hyperion deposit. However, our findings indicated lower recoveries from the fresh composite.
Preliminary results have shown moderate cyanide consumption across all tests. Notably, no lime was required for the oxide and transition composites, and only minimal additions were needed for fresh materials to maintain pH stability. This efficiency not only reduces operational costs but also aligns with sustainable mining practices.
Expert Leadership: Driving Innovation at IMO
The entire testwork programme has been expertly managed and interpreted by Dr. Andrew Dowling, a leading figure within the metallurgical department at IMO. Dr. Dowling’s insights and analytical acumen have been pivotal in delivering the high-quality data required by Prodigy Gold to inform their strategic decisions moving forward.
Looking Forward: A Bright Future for Prodigy Gold
MD Mark Edwards articulated the significance of the new dataset, stating, “this new dataset from the second phase of testwork will provide confidence in the Hyperion and Tethys lodes of the Hyperion deposit. Excellent recoveries were received for the oxide and transition zones. Further work, however, is still required to better understand the lower recoveries in the fresh material, this will be concluded through diagnostic leach testwork.”
Reagent Optimisation and Ongoing Enhancement
The works for Stage 3, including reagent optimisation test, are now underway and will be reported when complete.