RAMBLER REPORTS POSITIVE RESULTS FROM ITS
LOCK CYCLE METALLURGICAL TESTING PROGRAM
London, England & Baie Verte, Newfoundland and Labrador - Rambler Metals and Mining PLC (TSXV: RAB, AIM: RMM) is pleased to announce that the detailed metallurgical work on the 1807 ore sample is now complete, returning the following results.
HIGHLIGHTS
- The copper concentrate grade averaged 29.1%.
- The average copper recovery was 92.4% with a range between 88.4% and 97%.
- A defined precious metal recovery of 67.5% Au and 52.5% Ag within the copper concentrate. Further
metallurgical testing is planned to optimize the recovery of precious metals, including any "free gold".
- Batch floatation residence time was between 15 and 20 minutes for each stage.
- The optimum reagent scheme was un-complex and common for base metal concentrators. It consists of:
- Collector / Promoter: Potassium amyl xanthate (KAX) and Aerophine 3418A
- Zinc Depressants: Zinc sulphate (ZnSO4) and sodium cyanide (NaCN)
- Frother: Methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC)
- Alkalinity Control (pH): Lime (CaO)
All deleterious materials including zinc, lead, arsenic, bismuth and mercury were below the maximum allowable values for a typical copper concentrate.
- The test results will allow for the design of a process concentrator that will optimize the recovery of copper
and rejection of zinc.
- Standard waste management systems will be employed to assure environmental compliance.
George Ogilvie, President and CEO commented,
"The lock cycle metallurgical testing has shown that a commercially viable copper concentrate can be produced, that
results in a high grade product through the use of a common reagent scheme. The results were also encouraging in
that under the worst case scenario most or all of the deleterious material was rejected to the tailings. These
results will enable Rambler to define the final design of the concentrator and maximise the economic returns for
the Ming Mine."
FLOTATION BENCH SCALE LOCK CYCLE TEST PROGRAM OBJECTIVES
The bench scale test program was developed and managed by Thibault & Associates Inc. to identify a commercially viable
concentrator flowsheet, reagent scheme and design basis for process equipment sizing. The test program was executed
by the Research and Productivity Council of Fredericton, New Brunswick, using ore samples collected by Rambler
personnel from the 1600 level massive sulphide.
The study was initiated with the following target guidelines:
- Minimum overall copper recovery of 94% and minimum copper grade of 24.0 wt% copper in the final concentrate.
- Confirmation that the selected reagent scheme will maintain comparable copper grade-recovery relationships and
copper-zinc separation efficiency based on processing of ore from different zones.
- The target specifications for impurities, based on selective flotation of copper, were to achieve less than 2.5
wt% zinc, 0.5 wt% lead, 1000 ppm arsenic, 500 ppm antimony, 400 ppm bismuth and less than 10 ppm of mercury in the
final concentrate.
Note: Target parameters defined by Rambler are considered to be a conservative target for impurity
specifications in copper concentrates. Based on recent discussions with commodity traders, Rambler
is confident that maximum impurity levels of 3.0% for zinc and 1.0% for lead are typical in the industry.
- The design of a process flowsheet based on selective flotation of copper and optimum rejection of zinc.
- Define precious metal recovery (gold and silver) based on recovery with copper concentrate.
A bulk sample of ore from the 1600 level was used to develop the reagent scheme and define the flotation process
flowsheet for the concentrator. The ore sample from the 1600 level is considered by Rambler to represent a worst
case scenario for impurity levels and the reagent scheme. The flowsheet developed by this study should be
capable of processing ore from the various zones in the deposit.
Dean Thibault, P. Eng comment
"It was demonstrated from the bench scale and lock cycle test program that the reagent scheme as proposed
results in excellent copper recovery and the rejection of zinc can be achieved to comply with
smelter specifications. It was also concluded that the flotation flowsheet and process design should
incorporate features that will maximize flexibility to accommodate ore variability."
ORE MINERALOGY OF THE GOLD RICH 1806 ZONE
In addition to the Lock Cycle test program, Rambler has commissioned Dr. Stephen J. Piercey Geological Consulting to
visit the property and evaluate drill core from the recently discovered gold rich 1806 Zone. As a part of this work
detailed mineralogical descriptions were completed on select thin sections from the core.
This new zone has returned significant intersections of gold and will be an integral part of Rambler's 5 year business
model currently underway by CSI Consulting. The purpose of Dr. Piercey's visit was to evaluate massive sulphides from
the 1806 Zone to determine the sulphide mineralogy, the residence and location of any gold within the lens. The
data provided important insights into the genesis of the 1806 Zone and further provided comparisons to other gold
rich VMS systems globally.
Two important facts derived from Dr. Piercey's work were:
- In all cases gold is spatially associated with grain margins and not in the cores of mineral grains, suggesting
the potential for liberation. This association provides Rambler the opportunity to improve gold recovery with
further testing of the gold rich 1806 zone.
- The geological, mineralogical, and chemical attributes of the massive sulfides from the 1806 Zone are similar
to other gold and copper rich VMS systems globally (e.g., Bousquet-LaRonde; Eskay Creek; Boliden; Mount Lyell), but
the geological setting, ore mineralogy, and deformation style is most similar to the deposits of the Bousquet-LaRonde
district in Quebec. This district hosts two world class gold deposits (Doyon and LaRonde-Penna) and is one of the
most important gold districts in Canada.
Dr. Piercey's work has provided Rambler with an important corner stone for the ongoing interpretation of the
stratgraphic placement of this gold rich zone within the Ming Massive Sulphide complex. This new insight into
gold occurrences throughout the Ming Ore Body has allowed Rambler's team of geologists to re-evaluate the entire
deposit in search for other gold rich zones that may have been overlooked while the mine was in production. This
work is ongoing and will be an integral part in designing targets for future diamond drilling programs.
For access to the full technical report please visit our website at www.ramblermines.com.
George Ogilvie, P.Eng. Leslie Little
President and CEO Company Secretary
Rambler Metals and Mining Rambler Metals & Mining Plc
Canada Limited Tel No: +44 (0) 20-7661-8104
Tel No: 709-532-4990
Nandita Sahgal Chelsea Hayes/Klara Kaczmarek
Seymour Pierce Limited Pelham Public Relations
Tel No: +44 (0) 20-7107 8000 Tel No: +44 (0) 20-7743-6675 /20-3159-4395
Larry Pilgrim, P. Geo. is the Qualified Person responsible for the technical content of this release and has
reviewed and approved it accordingly. Mr. Pilgrim is an independent consultant contracted by Rambler Metals and
Mining plc.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Rambler Metals & Mining Plc