Copper-gold explorer QMines is scaling up its plans for a Rockhampton region processing hub after positive results from metallurgical test work.

The company said it was planning to lift mining throughput from 1Mtpa to 2Mtpa and concentrate production from 190,000tpa to 482,000tpa.

It comes after bulk flotation metallurgical test work on a blended composite of ores from QMines’ Mount Chalmers and Develin Creek projects.

QMines has retracted production figures included in this announcement. Click HERE for details

This confirmed the suitability of a simplified bulk flotation approach, delivering high metal recoveries with reduced processing complexity, the company said.

“These metallurgical results reinforce the case for a larger and more efficient copper and gold
development in Central Queensland,” executive chairman Andrew Sparke said.

“We’re seeing better recoveries, larger volumes of concentrate from the test work and a much simpler flowsheet—all of which translates a faster time to mill construction.

“With the integration of the Develin Creek project into the mine plan, upcoming drill results and
upgrading the pre-feasibility study on the horizon, the company is laser focused on unlocking value and delivering the next wave of organic growth for shareholders.”

The pre-feasibility study updates are expected to be ready in the first half of next year and will take into account the impact of a simplified production flow sheet on project costs.

As well as incorporating operations at Develin Creek into the Mount Chalmers mine plan, they will include the Mount Mackenzie project that QMines is in the process of acquiring.

The existing PFS considered a sequential flotation process to produce individual copper, zinc and pyrite concentrates.

While potentially delivering higher percentage ratios in concentrate, the flowsheet projected greater operating complexity with three concentrate circuits, regrind circuits, greater power consumption and marketing of concentrates to a number of smelters and or traders.

Based on the recent bulk concentrate test work, QMines said it would now investigate fluid bed roaster and hydrometallurgical (FBH) process facilities.

These could process and more readily recover the majority of base and precious metals contained in the Mount Chalmers and Develin Creek bulk concentrates.

These facilities would have the additional benefit of producing sulphuric acid and high purity iron as byproducts.

QMines is completing open pit optimisations, metallurgical assessments, and resource upgrades to define the optimal development pathway for its flagship Mount Chalmers project and the Develin Creek deposits, located about 90km north-west of Mount Chalmers.