Sandstone Bellchambers Gold Deposit: Exceptional Metallurgical Test Results Pave Way for Conventional Processing
Venus Metals Corporation (ASX: VMC) has announced outstanding metallurgical test results from its Bellchambers Gold deposit, demonstrating exceptional gold recoveries and confirming the deposit's amenability to conventional processing methods.
High Gold Recoveries Point to Efficient Processing Route
Recent metallurgical testing on the Bellchambers Gold deposit, located 23 kilometers southwest of Sandstone in Western Australia, has yielded exceptional results that significantly de-risk the project's processing route. Testing across seven representative RC drill hole intervals revealed gold recoveries ranging from approximately 90% to 99% across both oxide and fresh (sulphide) ore types.
The key findings demonstrate that:
- Oxide samples leached rapidly with near-complete extraction within hours
- Sulphide samples achieved 93-94% gold extraction over 16-24 hours
- Gravity recoverable gold ranged from 6% to 38% across samples
- Cyanide consumption was low in oxide samples, indicating potential for cost-effective processing
"These results support a conventional processing route with an initial gravity circuit followed by cyanide leaching," the company stated, noting that future optimisation around grind size, cyanide concentration, and pH control could further improve recoveries and reduce reagent consumption.
Bellchambers Resource Poised for Development
The Bellchambers deposit currently hosts a Mineral Resource Estimate containing 19,130 ounces of gold at an average grade of 1.36 g/t Au, consisting of:
| Resource Class | Tonnes | Grade (g/t Au) | Gold Ounces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measured | 187,400 | 1.45 | 8,730 |
| Indicated | 250,000 | 1.29 | 10,410 |
| Total | 437,500 | 1.36 | 19,130 |
The metallurgical program specifically targeted both oxide and fresh zones within the main lode of the deposit, with samples selected to represent the full spectrum of mineralisation types that will be encountered during mining operations.
Understanding Metallurgical Recovery: Why It Matters to Investors
For gold projects, metallurgical recovery represents the percentage of gold that can be economically extracted from mined ore. Higher recoveries translate directly to improved project economics, as more gold can be recovered from each tonne of processed material.
The exceptionally high recoveries at Bellchambers (up to 99%) are particularly significant because they confirm that:
- The gold is readily accessible using conventional processing methods
- The deposit contains minimal deleterious elements that could complicate processing
- Both oxide and sulphide material respond well to standard gravity and cyanide leaching circuits
For investors, these results substantially reduce technical risk, as they eliminate concerns about potential refractory behaviour or complex processing requirements that could impact project economics.
"Venus Metals Corporation holds a significant and wide-ranging portfolio of Australian gold, copper, base metals, lithium, titanium, vanadium exploration projects in Western Australia, in addition to owning a 1% Royalty over the Youanmi Gold Mine and being a substantial shareholder of Rox Resources Limited." – Venus Metals Corporation
Processing Pathway Now Clear
The test program involved detailed assessment of both gravity and cyanide leach extraction across all mineralisation types. The results confirmed that Bellchambers ore is highly amenable to conventional gravity recovery followed by cyanide leaching.
Key observations from the testing include:
- Oxide samples exhibited rapid leaching with over 90% gold extracted within 3 hours
- Leaching was essentially complete by 8 hours for oxide material
- Fresh (sulphide) samples showed good leach kinetics with extraction complete around 24 hours
- Low residue grades (typically <0.1 g/t Au) indicate excellent liberation of gold particles
- Reagent consumption in line with or better than industry averages
The comprehensive nature of these results provides Venus Metals with a clear processing pathway as the project advances toward potential development.
Technical Details of the Metallurgical Program
The metallurgical testing program was designed to establish gravity gold recovery potential, cyanide leach extraction rates, and reagent consumption for both oxide and fresh mineralisation. Seven variability samples were selected from targeted RC drillholes representing the main mineralised lode at Bellchambers.
Each sample underwent a consistent testing regime that included:
- Head grade analysis to establish baseline gold content
- Gravity concentration using a Knelson concentrator
- Intensive cyanide leaching of gravity concentrate
- Bottle roll cyanide leaching of gravity tails over 48 hours
The tests were conducted at a grind size of 106 μm using a conservative cyanide concentration of 0.1%. Testing also monitored reagent consumption, with oxide samples showing particularly low chemical requirements – an important factor for operational cost efficiency.
Future Plans and Timeline
With the Mining Lease recently granted for the Bellchambers Gold Deposit (announced July 25, 2025) and these positive metallurgical results now in hand, Venus Metals is well-positioned to advance the project through its next development stages.
Future work is likely to include:
- Optimisation metallurgical test work to further refine processing parameters
- Additional drilling to explore along-strike and depth extensions of identified gold mineralisation
- Engineering studies to determine optimal processing configurations
- Economic assessments incorporating these excellent metallurgical recoveries
Why Venus Metals Warrants Investor Attention
Venus Metals represents an interesting opportunity for gold-focused investors for several reasons:
-
De-risked processing route: The exceptional metallurgical results confirm a conventional processing pathway with high recoveries
-
Resource growth potential: The company continues to explore extensions to the known mineralisation
-
Diverse portfolio: Beyond Bellchambers, Venus holds a significant portfolio of Australian gold, copper, base metals, lithium, titanium, and vanadium projects in Western Australia
-
Royalty income: The company owns a 1% royalty over the Youanmi Gold Mine and is a substantial shareholder of Rox Resources Limited
-
Infrastructure advantage: The project's location near Sandstone provides access to established mining infrastructure in a proven gold district
These latest Venus Metals Corporation metallurgical test results represent a significant de-risking milestone for the Bellchambers Gold Project, confirming its potential for conventional, cost-effective processing with exceptional gold recoveries across all ore types.
For investors seeking exposure to advanced-stage gold projects with clear development pathways, Venus Metals Corporation's progress at Bellchambers warrants close attention as the company works toward unlocking the full value of this high-recovery gold deposit.
Ready to Explore This High-Recovery Gold Opportunity?
For investors seeking exposure to Venus Metals' Bellchambers Gold Project with its exceptional metallurgical results and clear development pathway, download the company's latest investor presentation here. Discover how Venus Metals Corporation (ASX: VMC) is advancing this high-recovery gold deposit alongside its diverse portfolio of Australian resource projects.
