SILVER ONE PROVIDES UPDATE ON METALLURGICAL TEST RESULTS USING INNOVATIVE SEPARATION AND LEACHING TECHNOLOGIES AT ITS CANDELARIA SILVER MINE, NEVADA
1. Silver One's new technology potentially doubles silver recoveries.
2. Cyanide-free leaching significantly reduces leaching times compared to traditional methods.
3. CEO notes potential economic benefits from improved extraction rates.
4. Study to assess technology's impact on overall project economics is forthcoming.
5. Environmental advantages noted for the new leaching method, highlighting efficiency.
The advancements in cyanide-free technology could transform Silver One's cost structure, as seen in historical transitions to more efficient processing methods in mining. Past innovations often resulted in significant price appreciation once implemented, as seen in companies adopting similar technologies in the precious metals sector.
How important is it?
The promotion of this innovative technology marks a critical turning point for SLVRF, indicating sustainable growth potential and a pivot away from traditional leaching practices. This could lead to a considerable revaluation of the company based on improved mineral recovery rates.
Why Long Term?
The long-term benefits will surface as the technology is commercialized and reflected in operational efficiency and cost savings. Historical examples support that successful adoption leads to sustained growth over several quarters as projects move toward production.
NON-TOXIC, CYANIDE-FREE TECHNOLOGY POTENTIALLY DOUBLES SILVER RECOVERIES AND SIGNIFICANTLY CUTS LEACHING TIMES
VANCOUVER, BC, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silver One Resources Inc. (TSXV: SVE); (OTCQX: SLVRF); (FSE: BRK1) – ("Silver One" or the "Company") announces results of additional (phase 2) metallurgical testing using a novel, cyanide-free leaching process from the Company's 100% owned, past-producing Candelaria Silver Mine in Nevada (Figure 1). Results confirm that the new technology can potentially double silver recoveries of leach pad material and cut leaching times. The tests were conducted on representative samples from the two heap-leach pads (LP1 and LP2), as well as from the in-ground mineralization marginal to the two main open-pits in the project. The developer of the process, Extrakt Processing Solutions ("EPS" or "Extrakt"), has a strategic global alliance with Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions, Inc. ("Bechtel") to commercialize Extrakt's TNS™ technology (source).
This cyanide-free process is also being tested by other major and junior resource companies in the US and Canada (see CJK Milling news release of December 9, 2024, International Mining News, December 12, 2024 and Fulcrum Metals news release of December 18, 2024).
Although no commercial metal-leach operations using these proprietary leach solutions exist at this time, the test results from Candelaria mineralization are very promising, and indicate significant potential for reducing costs and improving metal recoveries in the near future. An upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") level study on the entire project (Leach pad 1 "LP1", Leach pad 2 "LP2" and fresh in-situ mineralization) will examine the potential benefits of using these solutions in comparison to more traditional cyanide leaching techniques. The PEA may be followed by a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Leach Pads by themselves, and eventually on combining the leach pads with the fresh in-situ mineralization.
Highlights
Gregory Crowe, President and CEO commented:
"The results from the new testing confirm that EPS' non-cyanide leach technology is effective at recovering silver, and can potentially be a substitute to cyanide leaching. We are particularly pleased with the results of the column tests which simulate heap leaching extraction methods versus the more expensive agitated leaching techniques. The column tests show that over 60% of the silver in Candelaria's old heap-leach pads may be recovered by using this innovative technology applied to heap leaching methods, compared with previous studies that show only 29% to 40% silver recoveries using cyanide leaching (Cyanide leach recoveries were documented in Kappes Cassiday & Associates "KCA" Candelaria Project HPGR Test Work, June 2019 unpublished report). These improved silver recoveries may positively impact the overall economics of the project as significant resources are contained in the leach pads (over 30 million ounces of silver in the indicated mineral resource category and over 15 million ounces of silver in the inferred mineral resource category, see Company's news releases of August 16, 2022 and August 18, 2020). EPS's leaching agents not only improve silver extraction but are also more environmentally friendly and save water by assisting in the dewatering of waste products. The extraction process is simpler and potentially less costly. Furthermore, we are optimistic about this innovative technology as it is backed up by EPS' years of research and development and by EPS' partnership with Bechtel."
Table 1. Silver recovery comparison of results between Extrakt non-cyanide tests and Kappes Cassiday & Associates ("KCA") - McClelland lab tests
Candelaria - Metallurgical Testing Silver One Samples
Bulk samples representative of leach pad 1 (LP1) and leach pad 2 (LP2) weighing 228 kg and 263 kg respectively, were entirely crushed to ≤2 mm (<2000 microns) with a Vertical Shaft Impact crusher at CEMCO's facilities in Belen, NM, and shipped to the EPS laboratory in Kentucky for metallurgical testing. The material consisted of leached oxide and partially refractory material with silver head grade of 51.3 g/t and 50.1 g/t for LP1 and LP2 respectively.
Representative portions of the bulk samples were weighed and sieved to separate two fractions. Material smaller than 2 mm was used for testing. The tests were conducted on 1 to 2 kg splits of the sieved (<2 mm) material. Splits tested were prepared according to acceptable industry standard practices (homogenized, coned and quartered several times).
In-Ground Fresh Material Samples
Three drill-core samples from holes 132, 135 and 136 (see Figure 2 for location) crushed to 1.7 mm with HPGR by KCA were shipped to EPS laboratory in Kentucky for metallurgical testing. The samples consisted of oxide (drill hole 135), sulfide (drill hole 132) and mixed (drill hole 136) mineralization with silver head-grades of 147 g/t, 419 g/t, and 115 g/t, respectively.
Next Steps
The metallurgical test results reported here will be included and evaluated in a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") level study of the Candelaria project scheduled for 2025. The PEA will cover the entire project (heap leach pads, stockpiles and in-ground fresh mineralization). A Pre-Feasibility Study on the heap leach pads is also being contemplated.
Qualified Person
The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Robert M. Cann, P. Geo, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and an independent consultant to the Company.
About Silver One
Silver One is focused on the exploration and development of quality silver projects. The Company owns a 100%-interest in its flagship project, the past-producing Candelaria Mine located in Nevada. Potential reprocessing of silver from the historic leach pads at Candelaria provides an opportunity for possible near-term production.
About Extrakt
Extrakt Process Solutions is a technology company that is focused on separation technologies for recovering precious metals, hydrocarbon separation as well as dewatering of mine waste and other related processes.
Extrakt Partnership with Bechtel
Extrakt Process Solutions, LLC (Extrakt) and Bechtel Energy Technologies & Solutions, Inc. (BETS) have formed a strategic global technology alliance, to commercialize Extrakt's novel, leaching technology and solid-liquid separation technology, known as TNS™.
