Tests support central copper processing hub for Prospect Resources’ Mumbezhi Project

Test results from Nyungu Central and Kabikupa samples indicate that Mumbezhi features a conventional copper processing profile suitable for low-cost treatment.

Ongoing metallurgical test results confirm that the Mumbezhi copper project in Zambia is robust and scalable. Pic: Getty Images

• High-grade copper concentrates with strong recoveries have been produced at Mumbezhi

• The results from several tested mineralised zones exceed typical industry standards

• Copper was consistently found in chalcopyrite, allowing for reliable predictive processing techniques

Special Report: Metallurgical testwork on transition samples from the Nyungu Central deposit and fresh samples from Kabikupa deposit show that the Mumbezhi copper project in Zambia has a conventional processing profile that can be treated using low-cost methods.

Prospect Resources (ASX:PSC) said high-grade copper concentrates with strong recoveries had been produced from several tested mineralised zones, exceeding typical industry standards.

PSC managing director and CEO Sam Hosack said with high copper recovery and concentrate grades, the company was increasingly confident that Mumbezhi could deliver strong economic returns as the project progresses.

Fresh composite from Kabikupa achieved a copper concentrate of 27.5% Cu and 310ppm cobalt at 95.3% Cu recovery after only one cleaning stage, while fresh composite from Nyungu Central delivered a copper concentrate of 24.6% Cu and 0.9% Co at 96.2% Cu recovery after a single cleaning stage.

Transition composite from Nyungu Central also achieved encouraging results, returning a copper concentrate of 32.1% Cu and 9.1% Co at 81.4% Cu recovery after two cleaning stages and showed anomalous values of gold present too

All composites performed well with a coarse primary grind size (P₈₀ of 250µm), a positive outcome for lowering future plant capital and operating costs.

The standard flotation process worked effectively for Nyungu Central and Kabikupa, supporting the use of one simple centralised processing plant.

Eyeing strong economic returns

The results come on the heels of additional exploration success at Nyungu Central including Phase 2 drilling which returned a standout intersection of 49m at 0.52% copper from 314m, as well as 12.3m at 0.79% copper from 331m.

“These results show that Mumbezhi mineralisation has a conventional processing profile, with copper ores that can be treated using simple, low-cost processing methods as implemented at both Lumwana and Sentinel Mines,” Hosack said.

“The potential for gold at Nyungu Central also adds value, and a broader gold assessment across the licence is now underway.

“Recent Nyungu Central testwork, covering both fresh and transition materials, has delivered much better results than those achieved by the previous operator, Argonaut,” he added.

“Importantly, our first Kabikupa flotation tests on fresh materials showed excellent metallurgical results using the same conventional process as recent Nyungu Central tests.”

Mumbezhi sits within the Central African copper belt in north-western Zambia, in close proximity to several major mines hosted in similar geological settings.

The project hosts a JORC-compliant indicated and inferred resource of 107.2Mt at 0.5% Cu for 514,600t of contained copper.

What happens now?

Phase 2 exploration, development and drilling activities, and associated technical studies, are continuing.

A gold assessment will now extend licence-wide as part of the Phase 2 exploration work.

Updates will be reported shortly on a geometallurgical model framework for Nyungu Central in association with consultants, ERM Global.

This article was developed in collaboration with Prospect Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.

Originally published as Tests support central copper processing hub for Prospect Resources’ Mumbezhi Project