Extraordinary Gold Recovery Rates Boost Riversgold's Kalgoorlie East Project
Metallurgical testing at Riversgold's (ASX: RGL) Northern Zone project has delivered outstanding gold recovery rates exceeding 90%, positioning the company for potential near-term production opportunities just 25km from Australia's iconic gold mining hub.
Impressive Metallurgical Results Confirm Processing Potential
Recent metallurgical testwork using cyanide bottle roll techniques has shown exceptional gold recoveries from oxide samples at the Northern Zone project:
- Latest testing showed 93.67% and 90.64% gold recovery (average 92.16%)
- Previous 2023 testing showed an average gold recovery of 92.9%
- Overall average gold recovery across all five samples stands at 92.56%
These results reinforce the project's processing potential and align with Chairman David Lenigas's vision for the company.
"Metallurgical testwork using cyanide bottle roll has closely replicated the original 2023 work previously reported when we were doing our due diligence on the Project. Gold recovery results between 90.64% and 94.7% for five samples, that average 92.56% gold recovery, is an excellent outcome and bodes well for our plans to scope out potential starter pits for toll treatment," said Lenigas.
Drilling Success Continues to Expand Project Footprint
The company has now received all assay results from recent RC and aircore drilling programs, with significant gold intercepts including:
RC Drill Highlights:
- 7m @ 3.62 g/t Au from 39m (NZRC007)
- 5m @ 4.37 g/t Au from 37m (NZRC008)
- 6m @ 6.12 g/t Au from 35m (NZRC012)
- 3m @ 8.20 g/t Au from 60m (NZRC016)
Aircore Drill Highlights:
- 10m @ 8.89 g/t Au from 46m (NZAC127)
- 7m @ 3.14 g/t Au from 47m (NZAC124)
- 12m @ 0.80 g/t Au from 32m (NZAC118)
The latest drilling results indicate potential to connect the western and eastern mineralised zones, with new mineralisation discovered in holes NZAC144 and NZAC145.
Understanding Gold Recovery Through Heap Leaching
Heap leaching is a processing method used to extract gold from ore. The process involves:
- Crushing the ore: The mined material is crushed to increase surface area
- Stacking on leach pads: Crushed ore is placed on specially designed pads with impermeable liners
- Solution application: A cyanide solution is applied to the ore, which dissolves the gold
- Collection and processing: The gold-bearing solution is collected and processed to recover the gold
The high recovery rates demonstrated at Northern Zone (consistently above 90%) are particularly significant for several reasons:
- Capital efficiency: Amenability to conventional processing methods can reduce capital requirements
- Processing options: High recoveries support various processing routes including toll treatment
- Economic viability: Strong recoveries improve project economics by maximising gold extraction
- Processing simplicity: Oxide ores with high recoveries typically require less complex processing
These metallurgical characteristics are particularly valuable for investors assessing the technical and economic viability of gold projects.
Strategic Development Path Toward Production
Riversgold is following a clear strategic pathway to advance the Northern Zone project:
- Near-term mining potential: The company is advancing work toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE)
- Mining lease application in progress: Updates expected later this month
- Production model: Following similar approach to Black Cat Syndicate's nearby Myhree mine with toll treatment options
- Advancing structural understanding: Site visit planned to review Xirlatem models ahead of resource estimation
The company has also drawn comparisons to Saturn Metals' Apollo Hill Project, which has established a 2.03 million ounce resource at 0.53 g/t gold, suggesting the potential for Northern Zone to develop into an even larger project.
Compelling Investment Case for Riversgold
Riversgold presents a compelling investment opportunity based on several key factors:
- Prime location: The Northern Zone project is situated just 25km from Kalgoorlie, one of Australia's most established gold mining centres with extensive infrastructure
- Proven metallurgy: Consistent gold recoveries above 90% confirm simple processing requirements
- Expanding mineralisation: Recent drilling continues to expand the project footprint with potential to connect mineralised zones
- Clear pathway to production: Following established models with toll treatment options
- Multiple development options: Including potential for both high-grade starter pits and larger-scale operations
With the Mining Lease application progressing and structural modeling work underway to guide future drilling, Riversgold is systematically advancing toward its maiden resource estimate and positioning itself as a significant new gold development opportunity in the Kalgoorlie region.
Investors should monitor upcoming catalysts including Mining Lease updates expected later this month and results from the structural modeling work that will guide future drilling programs targeting the connection between the western and eastern mineralised zones.
Ready to Strike Gold with Riversgold's Kalgoorlie East Project?
Discover more about Riversgold's impressive gold recovery rates and strategic development pathway in the prolific Kalgoorlie region. With exceptional metallurgical results, expanding mineralisation and a clear path to potential production, Riversgold (ASX: RGL) offers a compelling investment opportunity. For detailed investor information about this emerging gold developer and its Northern Zone project, visit Riversgold's website today.
