AMN - BOTSWANA: Positive K.Hill leaching results

Giyani Metals Corp has received positive leaching results from a phase-two hydrometallurgical test program for manganese from the K.Hill deposit in Botswana. The program covers all three components of purification starting with leaching, through solvent extraction and finishing with electro-winning.

Last year Giyani completed phase-one hydrometallurgical testing which only included the leaching of manganese mineralised material from the K.Hill deposit.

As part of the phase-two program, these leach tests had to be repeated to provide enough material for the subsequent solvent extraction tests. These repeated tests have confirmed and improved the results from last year.

Leaching is the first, and most critical, phase in a three-step purification process designed to produce high purity electrolytic manganese metal (EMM). The second step, solvent extraction, is in progress and will be followed shortly by the third and final step, electro-winning.

Two main samples were tested MT10 and MT11. MT10 was assayed at 24.7% manganese and MT11 was assayed at 30.72%. A series of leach tests were performed on the two samples to determine the leaching response of manganese with time.

The leaching test results show that manganese recovery was approximately 94% with most of the recovery occurring within the first hour of residence time.

Giyani CEO Robin Birchall said: “We are very pleased with the leaching results as they reflect a much higher recovery at 94% compared to the lower and more conservative 60% that was used for our maiden mineral resource estimate announced back in September 2018.

“These improved test results not only bode well for further hydrometallurgical tests but will also, ultimately, result in a lower cut-off grade for our K.Hill resource with the obvious corresponding impacts on the resource size.” 

The leaching tests were performed on samples collected from drill cores extracted during the company’s drilling program in the summer of 2018. The cores were from a hole that was specifically drilled for hydrometallurgical testing and is deemed representative of the K.Hill deposit.

Giyani Metals Corp. is a Canadian junior exploration company focused on creating shareholder value by accelerating the development of its high-grade manganese project in the Kanye Basin of Botswana.

http://giyanimetals.com/