Rox Resources Achieves 94%+ Gold Recovery with Albion Process at Youanmi
Metallurgical testing has confirmed high gold recovery rates at Rox Resources' (ASX: RXL) Youanmi Gold Project, marking a significant step toward production as the company advances toward its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
Gold Recovery Breakthrough Confirms Project Viability
Recent metallurgical test work has delivered exceptional results for Rox Resources' Youanmi Gold Project, with gold recovery rates of 94.0% and 95.8% achieved through Albion oxidative leaching of flotation concentrates. These results translate to an overall plant recovery of 90-92% after leaching of flotation tails, validating the company's processing strategy.
"These latest results from our metallurgical test work reaffirm the potential for more than 90% total gold recovery from the Youanmi orebody," said Rox Resources Managing Director & CEO Phill Wilding. "Our goal is to ultrafine grind the concentrate to 10-12 µm, partially oxidise the sulphides via the Albion process in open-air tanks, and achieve overall gold recoveries of between 90 and 92%."
The positive results come as Rox Resources appoints highly credentialed project management team Increva as its Owners' Team for the site construction process, focusing on the process plant, power station, and tailings storage facility development.
Optimising the Albion Process for Maximum Gold Recovery
The Albion Process, a proven technology for treating refractory gold ores, involves ultrafine grinding of flotation concentrate followed by oxidative leaching in open-air tanks. Key findings from the test work include:
- Gold recoveries of 94.0% at P80 12 µm grind size and 95.8% at P80 10 µm grind size
- Sulphur oxidation levels of 63% and 74% respectively
- The process benefits from the exothermic reaction of pyrite and arsenopyrite oxidation, operating at approximately 95°C and speeding up oxidation rates
Testing showed that with a sulphur oxidation rate of around 70% and grind sizes of 10-12 µm, gold recoveries from sulphide concentrate of 94% can be achieved, making it an effective method for processing Youanmi ore.
| Test | Grind Size (P80 µm) | Temperature (°C) | Sulphur Oxidation (%) | Gold Recovery (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AL40 | 10 | 95 | 74 | 95.8 |
| AL41 | 12 | 95 | 63 | 94.0 |
| AL44 | 12 | 95 | 68 | 94.6 |
What is the Albion Process?
The Albion Process is a specialised oxidative leaching technology designed to treat refractory gold ores, where gold is encapsulated within sulphide minerals and cannot be efficiently recovered through conventional cyanidation.
The process involves:
- Ultrafine Grinding: Crushing the ore to extremely fine particle sizes (10-12 µm) to expose gold trapped in sulphide minerals
- Oxidative Leaching: Using atmospheric oxygen to oxidise sulphide minerals in open-air tanks, naturally generating heat (~95°C)
- Conventional Recovery: Following oxidation, gold is recovered using standard cyanide leaching and carbon-in-leach (CIL) processes
This approach is particularly effective for Youanmi's pyrite-dominant ore (with a pyrite to arsenopyrite ratio of approximately 10:1), enabling high gold recoveries without the need for high-pressure or high-temperature processing equipment.
Accelerating Toward Production
Rox Resources remains on track with its pathway to production, with several key milestones achieved:
- Dewatering of the United North pit to target level for development
- Completion of 46,000m of drilling on time and within budget
- Release of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in July with a significant increase to underground resources
- Advancement of major DFS work streams with specialised consultants
The appointment of Increva, which successfully managed project construction for Bellevue Gold Limited, represents a significant step toward realising Youanmi Gold Project's production potential. Increva brings extensive experience in process plant construction, power station development, and tailings dam construction.
Next Steps and Timeline
Rox Resources plans to complete the remaining metallurgical test work prior to the release of its DFS in November 2025, with several key activities in progress:
- Variability leach test work on flotation tailings to confirm overall plant recoveries
- Additional variability test work on comminution and flotation characteristics
- Final optimisation of grind size and sulphur oxidation requirements
- Bulk Albion Process leach tests for flocculation, settling, and viscosity testing
The company's timeline indicates a Final Investment Decision (FID) targeted for Q1 2026, followed by mill construction and commissioning through 2026, with first gold production expected in Q2 2027.
Why This Matters for Investors
The positive metallurgical results represent a crucial derisking milestone for the Youanmi Gold Project, confirming that commercially viable gold recoveries can be achieved using the Albion Process. For investors, this addresses one of the key technical challenges associated with developing refractory gold deposits.
The project benefits from existing infrastructure, including historical mining operations, which should help reduce capital expenditure requirements. Additionally, the appointment of an experienced owner's team in Increva signals Rox's commitment to professional project execution.
With gold prices near all-time highs and a clear pathway to production, Rox Resources is well-positioned to advance the Youanmi Gold Project toward becoming Western Australia's next significant gold producer.
As the company continues to optimise the project and progress toward its DFS in November 2025, investors will be watching closely for further updates on project economics, financing arrangements, and final engineering designs.
Want to Invest in Western Australia's Next Significant Gold Producer?
Discover how Rox Resources is advancing the Youanmi Gold Project with exceptional 94%+ gold recovery rates using the innovative Albion Process. With key milestones achieved and a clear pathway to production targeted for 2027, now is the time to consider this promising investment opportunity. Visit Rox Resources' website to learn more about their progress toward becoming Western Australia's next gold producer and to stay updated on their upcoming Definitive Feasibility Study.
