St Barbara is ahead of schedule for its Simberi concentrate flowsheet, previously scheduled for November 2024.
The saleable concentrate flowsheet has now been selected for the Simberi sulphides expansion, with metallurgical testwork showing approximately five per cent higher overall gold recovery than previous testwork.
“We are excited by the improvements in the recoveries-to-concentrate and overall recovery being achieved in the flotation testwork we have completed to date,” St Barbara managing director and chief executive officer Andrew Strelein said.
“The results have allowed us to take an early decision in favour of the saleable concentrate flowsheet, three months earlier than anticipated.”
The favourable concentrate market conditions have suggested St Barbara will have the ability to negotiate higher gold payable and lower refining charges than previously modelled.
“The confirmation of our expectations of the consistency and competency of the Sorowar ore’s crushing and grinding characteristics with those of Simberi’s other ore zones is a breakthrough,” Strelein said.
“The demonstrated benefit of the flotation circuit design optimisation and the value we have unlocked from confirming Sorowar’s ore properties have already delivered a return on our investment in FY24’s comprehensive metallurgical drilling and testwork campaign.”
St Babara is well-funded to complete the next phases of work and beyond, including the investment in pre-expansion growth capital.
Subscribe to PNG Mining and receive the latest news on product announcements, industry developments, commodities and more.