FOR IMMEDIAT E RELEASE Aton reports up to 9 7.9% gold recovery from initial scoping level metallurgical testwork at the Semna prospect
FOR IMMEDIAT E RELEASE
Aton reports up to 9 7.9% gold recovery from initial scoping
level metallurgical testwork at the Semna prospect
Vancouver, British Columbia, January 4, 2024: Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) (“Aton” or the “Company")
is pleased to update investors on the results of initial scoping level metallurgical testwork from its recent Semna
drill discovery. Semna is located within the Company’s 100% owned Abu Marawat Concession (“Abu Marawat”
or the “Concession”), in the Eastern Desert of Egypt, see Figure 1.
Highlights:
• 2 composite metallurgical samples (SMMET-01 and SMMET -02), representative of mineralisation
from the Main Vein zone at Semna, underwent scoping testwork . The 2 samples were selected and
composited by Aton geologists from reverse circulation percussion (“RC”) drill hole samples , and
dispatched to Wardell Armstrong International Ltd (“WAI”) in the UK for testing;
• The 2 composite samples were subjected to whole ore cyanide leach tests at a grind size of 80%
passing 75µm. The leach test results showed final gold recoveries of 97.4% (SMMET-01) and
97.9% (SMMET-02), after 48 hours of leaching. Silver recoveries were 85.2% (SMMET-01) and
87.9% (SMMET-02);
• The 2 composite samples were also subjected to two-stage bulk gravity separation tests at grind sizes
of 80% passing 212µm and 75µm. Gold and silver recoveries to the gravity concentrates were 56.4%
and 38.0% respectively from sample SMMET -01, and 62.2% and 39.0% respectively from SMMET-
02;
• Intensive cyanide leaching of the SMMET-01 gravity concentrate achieved gold and silver recoveries
of 98.3% and 96.5% respectively, after 48 hours . Leaching of the SMMET -02 gravity concentrate
achieved gold and silver recoveries of 98.6% and 97.3% respectively, after 48 hours;
• Separate cyanide leaching of the gravity tailings achieved gold and silver recoveries of 93.0% and
78.1% from the SMMET-01 sample after 48 hours, whilst gold and silver recoveries from the SMMET-
02 sample were 93.6% and 87.5% after 48 hours;
• The combined gravity concentration + leach test results showed final gold recoveries of 96.0%
(SMMET-01) and 96.7% (SMMET -02), after 48 hours of leaching. Silver recoveries were 85. 1%
(SMMET-01) and 91.3% (SMMET-02);
• Initial scoping tests indicates that the Semna Main Vein zone mineralisation is amenable to
treatment by both conventional CIL, and gravity concentration-leach processing options.
“These initial scoping level metallurgical testwork results from Semna are exceedingly encouraging. The very
high recoveries of both gold and silver indicate that the mineralisation that we have drilled to date in the Main
Vein zone at Semna is readily amenable to treatment using both conventional CIL and gravity-leach process
routes” said Tonno Vahk , Interim CEO . “ This is very positive for us to be able to report these excellent
metallurgical testwork results at such an early stage, and the new Semna discovery continues to look highly
promising. Preparations for the phase 2 diamond drilling programme at Semna continue to advance rapidly,
and we remain on track to start drilling later this month. We envisage the next phase of metallurgical testwork
will be undertaken once we have drill core available for testing. We are also very close now to finalising the
mining licence at Abu Marawat with the Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority and the Ministry of Petroleum
and Mineral Resources, and we look forwards to being able to provide further updates on this very soon.”
Metallurgical testwork programme
2 samples were prepared from RC drill samples for metallurgical testing, and were composited to represent
the Main Vein zone (“MVZ”) mineralisation at the Semna mineral deposit, as drilled to date . Samples were
collected onsite from the bagged reject portion of the 1m sample splits from the phase 1 Semna RC drilling
programme (see news release dated December 18, 2023). Both composite metallurgical samples weighed
slightly less than 40kg. Details of the 2 composite samples are provided in Table 1, and the sampled drill hole
collar locations are shown in Figure 2 . The 2 composite samples were dispatched from Egypt to WAI’s Truro
laboratory in the United Kingdom, for a scoping level metallurgical testwork programme consisting of head
assays, whole ore cyanide leach testing, gravity separation tests and cyanidation leaching of the gravity
products.
Figure 1: Geological map of the Abu Marawat Concession, showing the location of the Semna prospect
The 2 metallurgical samples were composited from bulk reject material from the 1m sub -sample splits from
the RC drilling programme, which were retained onsite at the Rodruin sample preparation facility (see news
release dated December 18, 2023).
The SMMET-01 sample was composited from 26 separate 1m intervals from 7 different holes which intersected
the western portion of the MVZ (see Figure 2), each weighing approximately 1.5kg. The individual grades of
the 1m sub-samples varied between 0.40 g/t Au and 94.8 g/t Au, with the weighted average estimated grade
of the composite sample being 9. 75 g/t Au and 5. 5 g/t Ag (Table 1). The individual 1m samples were taken
from downhole depths of between 50 -189m, and were composed of fresh sulphide mineralisation, displaying
only occasional minor localised oxidation.
The SMMET-02 sample was composited from 39 separate 1m intervals from 5 different holes which intersected
the eastern portion or extension of the MVZ (see Figure 2), each weighing approximately 1kg. The individual
grades of the 1m sub -samples varied between 0.34 g/t Au and 51.8 g/t Au, with the weighted average
estimated grade of the composite sample being 8.81 g/t Au and 3.8 g/t Ag (Table 1). The individual 1m samples
were taken from downhole depths of between 56-141m, and were composed of fresh sulphide mineralisation,
displaying only minor localised oxidation.
Composite
sample ID
Total 1m
samples
Weight
(kg)
Original RC drill assay results (weighted average)
Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Cu (ppm) Pb (ppm) Zn (ppm)
SMMET-01 26 37.97 9.75 5.5 1844 7 50
SMMET-02 39 38.10 8.81 3.8 784 8 56
Table 1: Details of the composite metallurgical samples
Figure 2: Semna geology and drill hole collar plan, showing the sampled drill holes
Head assays
Head assays for gold, silver, copper, lead, zinc, arsenic , sulphur (total and sulphide) and carbon (total) were
undertaken in-house by WAI using an aqua regia digest with an atomic absorption spectroscopy (“AAS”) finish.
Separate sub-samples of the SMMET-01 and SMMET-02 composite samples were sent by WAI for additional
head assay analys es by ALS Minerals . Gold and silver were analysed by metallic screen fire assay (ALS
analytical code ME-SCR21). The samples were also analysed for a full multi -element suite of elements , and
mercury, using a four acid digest followed by an ICP mass spectrometry finish (ALS analytical codes ME-MS61
and Hg-MS42), see Appendix A.
The results of the head assays are provided in Table 2. The screen fire assay analyses showed the SMMET-
01 composite to grade 9.64 g/t Au and 8 g/t Ag, whilst the SMMET-02 composite was shown to grade 8.51 g/t
Au and 6 g/t Ag.
Analyte Units
WAI head assay results Original RC drill assay results
Composite sample ID Composite sample ID
SMMET-01 SMMET-02 SMMET-01 SMMET-02
Au
SFA 1 g/t 9.64 8.51
9.75 8.81
AR 2 g/t 9.01 7.58
Ag
SFA 1 g/t 8 6
5.5 3.8
AR 2 g/t 4.4 3.4
Cu 1 % 0.20 0.086 0.18 0.08
Pb 1 % <0.001 <0.001 0.001 0.001
Zn 1 % 0.007 0.006 0.005 0.006
As 1 % <0.001 <0.001 - -
S(TOT) 1 % 2.46 1.50 - -
S(SUL) 1 % 2.39 1.44 - -
C(TOT) 1 % 1.04 1.96 - -
Notes:
1) Screen fire assay, with gravimetric finish (ALS Minerals, Vancouver, BC, analytical technique ME-SCR21)
2) Aqua regia digest, with AAS finish (WAI in-house laboratory, Truro, UK)
Table 2: Head assay results
The screen fire gold assay results show good correlation with the original RC drill results (se e Tables 1 and
2), and indicate that the c. 40kg bulk samples submitted for metallurgical testwork are representative of
mineralised intervals sampled in the RC drill holes.
Separate to the assay results, the screen fire assay data also indicated that less than 10% of the gold and
silver in both samples was distributed within the coarse (+100μm) fraction.
Base metal analyses showed both samples to be low in copper with 0.2 0% in the SMMET-01 composite and
0.086% in the SMMET -02 composite, whilst zinc grades were 0.007% and 0.006% respectively. Lead and
arsenic were below the detection limit of 0.001% (Table 2). The multi-element ICP mass spectrometry analyses
also indicated that the levels of deleterious elements including bismuth, cadmium, mercury and antimony were
all very low, to a maximum of 2.54 ppm Bi in sample SMMET-02 (Appendix A).
Sulphur levels within the samples were 2.46% S (TOT) for the SMMET -01 composite and 1.50% S (TOT) for the
SMMET-02 composite (Table 2), with the data showing that 96-97% of the sulphur was present in the sulphide
phase. This data confirms the relatively low concentrations of sulphide minerals present in the MVZ
mineralisation at Semna, and that the mineralisation is predominantly fresh, with only minor oxidation of the
drilled mineralisation, as evidenced by the limited amount of iron and copper oxide minerals logged during the
drilling.
Whole ore cyanide leach tests
A single whole ore cyanidation leach test was conducted on each of the composite samples at a grind size of
80% passing 75µm. The purpose of these tests was to investigate the amount of gold and silver that can be
recovered from each sample by means of cyanide leaching.
Results are summarised in Table 3 below.
Composite
sample ID
Residence
time
(hours)
Reagent consumption
(kg/t) Recovery (%)
Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu
SMMET-01
24 0.40 2.48 93.5 75.2 27.4
32 0.40 2.33 88.3 78.5 27.6
48 0.40 2.55 97.4 85.2 29.1
SMMET-02
24 0.36 2.26 100.0 85.9 23.1
32 0.36 2.00 99.7 86.8 23.2
48 0.36 2.41 97.9 87.9 23.6
Table 3: Whole ore cyanide leach test results
The test results showed that 93.5% of the gold in the SMMET -01 composite was recovered after 24 hours of
leaching, increasing to 97.4% when the leach residence time was increased to 48 hours. Gold recovery from
the SMMET-02 composite was 100.0% after 24 hours, reducing slightly to 97.9% after 48 hours.
75.2% of the silver in the SMMET-01 composite was recovered after 24 hours of leaching, increasing to 85.2%
when the leach residence time was increased to 48 hours. Silver recovery from the SMMET-02 composite was
85.9% after 24 hours, increasing slightly to 87.9% after 48 hours.
Gravity + leach tests
Bulk gravity tests
Each composite was subjected to a programme of bulk gravity separation followed by cyanide leaching of the
gravity products.
A 20kg sample of each composite was subjected to two stages of gravity processing using a Knelson KC-MD3
centrifugal gravity concentrator , with the first stage being conducted at a target grind size of 80% passing
212µm, and the second stage being conducted at a target grind size of 80% passing 75µm.
Results of the bulk gravity separation tests are shown in Table 4 below:
Composite
sample ID Product Mass
(%)
Assay (g/t) Distribution (%)
Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu
SMMET-01
Concentrate 1.03 448 182 8,100 56.4 38.0 4.5
Tailings 98.97 3.63 3.1 1,800 43.6 62.0 95.5
Feed 100.00 8.22 5.0 1,865 100.0 100.0 100.0
SMMET-02
Concentrate 1.00 489 136 4,700 62.2 39.0 5.7
Tailings 99.00 3.01 2.2 785 37.8 61.0 94.3
Feed 100.00 7.88 3.5 824 100.0 100.0 100.0
Table 4: Bulk gravity separation test results
The results showed that, after two stages of gravity separation, 56.4% of the gold and 38.0% of the silver had
been recovered to the gravity concentrate for the SMMET-01 composite.
Gold and silver recoveries to the gravity concentrate for the SMMET -02 composite were 62.2% and 39.0%
respectively.
In both cases approximately 1% of the total mass of the tested sample was recovered to the respective gravity
concentrates.
Cyanide leaching of gravity concentrates
The gravity concentrates generated during the gravity separation stage were subjected to leach testing to
evaluate the amount of gold and silver that could be recovered via intensive cyanidation leaching.
The intensive cyanidation leach tests were carried out for 48 hours with 20g/L sodium cyanide and 5g/L
LeachWell™ GC.
Results of the gravity concentrate intensive cyanidation leach tests are shown in Table 5 below:
Composite
sample ID
Residence
time
(hours)
Reagent consumption
(kg/t) Recovery (%)
Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu
SMMET-01 48 0.50 48.23 98.3 96.5 29.6
SMMET-02 48 0.11 50.87 98.6 97.3 32.7
Table 5: Gravity concentrate leach test results
Results for the SMMET -01 composite showed an overall gold recovery of 98.3% after 48 hours of leaching ,
with total extraction of the gold achieved after the first two hours of leaching . Results for the SMMET -02
composite showed an overall gold recovery of 98.6% after 48 hours of leaching , with 94.6% of the gold
extracted within the first 2 hours of leaching.
Silver recoveries from the gravity concentrates after the 48 hours of leaching were 96.5% for the SMMET -01
composite and 97.3% for the SMMET-02 composite.
Cyanide leaching of gravity tailings
Separate to the leaching of the gravity concentrates, a representative sub -sample of the gravity tailings from
each composite was subjected to cyanide leaching.
Results of the gravity tailings cyanidation leach tests are shown in Table 6 below:
Composite
sample ID
Residence
time
(hours)
Reagent consumption
(kg/t) Recovery (%)
Lime NaCN Au Ag Cu
SMMET-01 48 0.13 2.33 93.0 78.1 25.5
SMMET-02 48 0.13 1.81 93.6 87.5 20.5
Table 6: Gravity tailings leach test results
Results showed overall gold recoveries after 48 hours of leaching of 93.0% for the SMMET-01 composite and
93.6% for the SMMET-02 composite, with silver recoveries of 78.1% and 87.5% respectively.
Combined Gravity + Leach Tests
Based on the results of the gravity and subsequent gravity product cyanide leach tests, cumulative metal
recoveries for the gold, silver and copper have been calculated. The cumulative metal recoveries are shown
in Appendix B.
The results in Appendix B show overall recoveries for the SMMET -01 composite using a combined gravity +
leach methodology of 96.0% gold and 85.1% silver after 48 hours. Results for the SMMET -02 composite
showed overall recoveries of 96.7% gold and 91.3% silver after 48 hours.
Whole ore leach versus gravity + leach tests
A summary of the comparative gold, silver and copper recoveries between the whole ore leach and gravity +
leach test process routes are shown in Table 7.
Composite
sample ID
Residence
time
(hours)
Recovery (%)
Whole ore leach Gravity + leach
Au Ag Cu Au Ag Cu
SMMET-01
24 93.5 75.2 27.4 96.3 84.8 24.5
48 97.4 85.2 29.1 96.0 85.1 25.7
SMMET-02
24 100.0 85.9 23.1 95.5 89.8 20.3
48 97.9 87.9 23.6 96.7 91.3 21.2
Table 7: Whole ore leach vs gravity + leach test results
Results in Table 7 show that the gold recoveries from both composite samples were marginally higher after 48
hours of leaching from the whole ore cyanidation leach test compared to the gravity + leach option. The silver
recoveries from sample SMMET-01 were virtually identical from both the test routes, whereas from SMMET -
02 silver recovery was lower after 48 hours of leaching from the whole ore cyanidation leach test compared to
the gravity + leach option.
About Aton Resources Inc.
Aton Resources Inc. (AAN: TSX-V) is focused on its 100%
owned Abu Marawat Concession (“Abu Marawat”),
located in Egypt’s Arabian -Nubian Shield, approximately
200 km north of Centamin’s world-class Sukari gold mine.
Aton has identified numerous gold and bas e metal
exploration targets at Abu Marawat, including the
Hamama deposit in the west, the Abu Marawat deposit in
the northeast, and the advanced Rodruin exploration
prospect in the south of the Concession. Two historic
British gold mines are also located o n the Concession at
Sir Bakis and Semna. Aton has identified several distinct
geological trends within Abu Marawat, which display
potential for the development of a variety of styles of
precious and base metal mineralisation. Abu Marawat is
447.7 km 2 in size and is located in an area of excellent
infrastructure; a four -lane highway, a 220kV power line,
and a water pipeline are in close proximity, as are the
international airports at Hurghada and Luxor.
Qualified person
The technical information contained in this News Release
was prepared by Gary Patrick BSc, MAusIMM, CP (Met),
Principal Consultant of Metallurg Pty Ltd. Mr. Patrick is a
qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43 -101
Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.
For further information regarding Aton Resources Inc.,
please visit us at www.atonresources.com or contact:
Tonno Vahk
Interim CEO
Tel: +1 345 525 2512
Email: [email protected]
Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements contained in this release are forward -looking statements. Since forward -looking statements
address future events and conditions; by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results
in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Appendix A – Multi-element analyses
Element Unit SMMET-01 SMMET-02 Element Unit SMMET-01 SMMET-02
Ag ppm 4.33 4.11 Na % 0.61 0.80
Al % 4.64 5.79 Nb ppm 1.0 1.3
As ppm 34.4 25.7 Ni ppm 24.9 22.8
Ba ppm 60 70 P ppm 260 380
Be ppm 0.27 0.34 Pb ppm 2.6 4.5
Bi ppm 2.52 2.54 Rb ppm 21.0 25.1
Ca % 2.79 4.50 Re ppm 0.004 <0.002
Cd ppm 0.43 0.58 S % 2.67 1.68
Ce ppm 3.79 6.15 Sb ppm 1.25 1.64
Co ppm 27.0 26.7 Sc ppm 17.7 22.6
Cr ppm 54 59 Se ppm 2 2
Cs ppm 0.26 0.39 Sn ppm 1.0 1.5
Cu ppm 1780 788 Sr ppm 62.4 92.1
Fe % 5.65 5.75 Ta ppm 0.28 0.08
Ga ppm 10.35 13.55 Te ppm 1.09 1.24
Ge ppm 0.10 0.09 Th ppm 0.15 0.21
Hf ppm 0.2 0.2 Ti % 0.180 0.312
Hg 1 ppm 0.030 0.035 Tl ppm 0.11 0.13
In ppm 0.426 0.156 U ppm 0.1 0.2
K % 0.93 1.03 V ppm 131 165
La ppm 1.6 2.6 W ppm 6.5 7.8
Li ppm 8.3 11.8 Y ppm 3.4 4.8
Mg % 0.79 1.38 Zn ppm 56 71
Mn ppm 752 1095 Zr ppm 4.5 5.9
Mo ppm 9.72 3.36 - - - -
Notes:
1) All analyses at ALS Minerals, Loughrea, Ireland by analytical technique ME-MS61, except Hg by analytical technique
Hg-MS42
Table A1: Multi-element head assay analyses