Dynasty Gold Project Achieves 91% Gold Recovery in Metallurgical Breakthrough
Titan Minerals (ASX:TTM) has reported exceptional metallurgical test results for its Dynasty Gold Project in southern Ecuador, demonstrating that conventional gold processing techniques can achieve over 90% gold recoveries from the project's sulphide ore.
High-Grade Concentrate Successfully Produced from Sulphide Ore
Recent metallurgical testing on typical sulphide ore from the 3.1-million-ounce Dynasty Gold Project has confirmed that industry-standard processing methods are highly effective for gold extraction:
- • Conventional flotation at P80 of 75µm grind delivered 94% gold and 95% silver recoveries in rougher concentrate
- • A rougher concentrate (13.9% of feed mass) was produced grading 25g/t gold and 164g/t silver from the 2.13 g/t Au, 16 g/t Ag composite sample
- • Oxidation by autoclave followed by cyanidation recovered 97% of the gold in concentrate, enabling an overall recovery of 91% gold
Titan CEO Melanie Leighton highlighted the significance of these results: "It's satisfying to show that conventional gold processing techniques can be applied to all Dynasty ores with excellent overall recoveries. This is a significant milestone and a key de-risking step as we consider the commencement of development studies at the end of our current resource drilling program."
Two Potential Processing Pathways Identified
The testing has revealed two viable processing options for the Dynasty Project:
1. Complete Onsite Processing to Gold Doré: Testing confirmed the suitability of Dynasty ores to produce gold doré through an end-to-end onsite flowsheet including flotation, oxidation, and cyanidation.
2. Early Stage Development Option: Testing highlighted the potential to produce a clean, saleable concentrate (10% of feed mass) with grades of approximately 24g/t gold and 180g/t silver from higher-grade ores. This concentrate could be sold directly to third-party smelters, providing a simpler pathway to early production.
Understanding Sulphide Mineralogy and Process Design
The metallurgical testing provides crucial insights into the processing requirements for Dynasty's sulphide ore. Gold and silver mineralisation in the sulphide zones typically occurs in association with pyrite and arsenopyrite within epithermal deposits.
What is Epithermal Vein Mineralisation?
Epithermal vein deposits form relatively near the Earth's surface (typically within 1-2km) where hot, mineral-rich fluids from magmatic activity move through fractures in the rock. As these fluids cool, they deposit minerals including gold and silver within veins. These deposit types are common in volcanic arcs worldwide and are often characterized by:
- • Well-defined veins following structural features
- • Association with volcanic activity
- • Typically higher grades than porphyry deposits
- • Often amenable to conventional processing methods
This deposit type requires specific processing considerations due to the sulphide mineralogy, which is why Titan's confirmation of conventional processing effectiveness is significant.
The Path to Production: Future Plans and Timelines
With metallurgical testwork now demonstrating excellent recoveries for both oxide ore (88% gold recovery announced in February 2025) and sulphide ore (91% gold recovery), Titan is positioned to progress toward mining feasibility studies:
- • Complete current resource drilling program
- • Conduct additional metallurgical optimization work
- • Initiate development studies
- • Further geo-metallurgical modeling to optimize ore processing
- • Continue to grow the 3.1Moz gold resource
The test results suggest several areas where process optimization could potentially enhance recoveries even further, particularly for silver extraction.
Investment Potential: A Significant Pre-Development Opportunity
The Dynasty Gold Project represents a compelling investment opportunity with several key strengths:
1. Substantial Resource Base: The project hosts a large 3.1-million-ounce gold resource that continues to grow with ongoing exploration.
2. Proven Metallurgy: Both oxide and sulphide ores have now demonstrated excellent gold recoveries using conventional processing methods.
3. Multiple Development Pathways: The flexibility to either produce gold doré onsite or sell concentrate to third-party smelters provides optionality for development.
4. Favorable Gold Price Environment: The project is advancing during a period of strong gold prices, enhancing potential economics.
5. Exploration Upside: The epithermal vein system extends over 9 kilometers in strike length and 2 kilometers in width, with considerable potential for resource expansion.
Why Investors Should Follow Titan Minerals
For investors seeking exposure to advanced gold projects, Titan Minerals presents a compelling case:
- • De-risked project with positive metallurgical results for all ore types
- • Conventional processing methods keep capital and operating costs predictable
- • Large resource base (3.1Moz) with significant growth potential
- • Located in mining-friendly Ecuador with good infrastructure access
- • Multiple development options provide flexibility
- • Advancing toward development studies as resource drilling concludes
With these latest metallurgical results confirming the project's technical viability, Dynasty represents a significant pre-development opportunity positioned to capitalise on global commodities market insights.
The application of Titan Minerals gold processing techniques to both oxide and sulphide ore types demonstrates the versatility of the Dynasty Gold Project. These conventional gold processing techniques have shown excellent results across the different mineralisation styles present at Dynasty, confirming the project's technical viability.
Furthermore, the successful implementation of Titan Minerals gold processing techniques provides a clear pathway to production with multiple options depending on market conditions and capital availability. The ability to apply industry-standard methods to achieve high recoveries significantly reduces technical risk for the project. Investors interested in bold strategies for gold investment should monitor Dynasty's progress as it aims to join the ranks of top global mining operations.
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