RNS Out PT 112 May 2020 08:11
Vast Resources plc / Ticker: VAST / Index: AIM / Sector: Mining
12 May 2020
Vast Resources plc
(“Vast” or the “Company”)
Baita Plai Metallurgical Test Work Update
Vast Resources plc, the AIM-listed mining company, is pleased to update the market on progress on metallurgical test work at its Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine “Baita Plai” in Romania.
Following the previous announcement regarding the drilling update made on 5th May 2020, the Company can confirm that two sample batches of three samples each were taken from the underground working areas in the Baita Plai mine which are currently accessible and represent the first areas to be brought back into production.
Samples were taken by the on-mine geologists from the accessible orebody by means of hammers and chisels. The samples were bagged on site and transported to surface for recording before being dispatched by courier to Grinding Solutions in the UK for metallurgical test work. Each sample in a batch was approximately 100kg in mass.
For each sample batch, it was attempted to obtain a copper – molybdenum sample, a high-grade copper sample, and lastly a representative polymetallic (copper, lead and zinc) sample.
The first sample batch returned the following assay results as per Table 1.
Table 1: Batch 1 Head Assay Results
Cu % Pb % Zn % Mo %* Au g/t Ag g/t As % Cd % Bi % Fe % S %
Batch 1 0001 Sample Cu-Mo 8.53 0.96 1.36 4.81 326 0.23 0.02 0.46 4.55 4.62
Batch 1 0002 Sample High Cu 12.21 0.01 0.26 4.24 227 0.01 0.01 0.32 7.02 8.93
Batch 1 0003 Sample Poly 10.85 0.02 0.20 4.67 261 0.00 0.01 0.38 5.43 7.83
Molybdenum results are outstanding from the laboratory
Upon receipt of the head assay results for the Batch 1 samples (1 – 3), it was felt that the head assay results may not be a fair representation of the expected grade ranges. As such, instructions were given to halt further test work on the Batch 1 sample, and that a second batch of samples be taken from underground and sent to Grinding Solutions. This was duly done with an instruction to minimise any possible preferential sampling.
The second sample batch returned the following assay results as per Table 2.
Table 2: Batch 2 Head Assay Results
Cu % Pb % Zn % Mo %* Au g/t* Ag g/t* As % Cd % Bi %* Fe %* S %*
Batch 2 0004 Sample Cu-Mo 7.09 0.36 0.32 0.07 0.01
Batch 2 0005 Sample High Cu 10.74 1.12 3.80 0.38 0.04
Batch 2 0006 Sample Poly 4.74 0.26 0.72 0.08 0.01
*Assay results for these elements are outstanding from the laboratory
The flotation test work is to be carried out in a number of phases to produce three primary saleable concentrates, a copper concentrate, a lead concentrate and a zinc concentrate. A molybdenum concentrate is intended in the near future.
Initial flotation test work has concentrated on producing a saleable copper concentrate with minimal deleterious elements which may reduce the overall value of the concentrate.