Positive Initial Metallurgical Results from Azarga Metals’ Unkur Copper-Silver Project
AZARGA METALS CORP.
UNIT 1 – 15782 MARINE DRIVE, WHITE ROCK, B.C. V4B 1E6, CANADA
www.azargametals.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 9, 2020 TSX-V: AZR
POSITIVE INITIAL METALLURGICAL RESULTS FROM AZARGA METALS’ UNKUR
COPPER-SILVER PROJECT
• Recoveries up to 92% copper and 88% silver in sulphide material using
conventional flotation methods
• Commercially standard ~30% copper concentrate achievable with sulphide
material
• Recoveries up to 96.4% copper and 96.7% silver in oxide material
AZARGA METALS CORP. ("Azarga Metals" or the “Company”) (TSX-V:AZR) reports
initial results have been received from the metallurgical test work on samples taken from
the recently completed drilling program on the Unkur Copper -Silver Project in Eastern
Russia. Previous metallurgical tests from Unkur used only oxidized material taken from a
surface outcrop and it was therefore important to have metallurgical tests on more
representative material – both oxidized and sulphide material taken from deeper parts of
the Unkur mineralization.
Michael Hopley, President and CEO said: “These initial results from the lab are very
encouraging; the recoveries of both copper and silver in the sulphide using standard
flotation tests are better than one usually expected in preliminary test work, 92% and 88%
respectively. The potential of being abl e to achieve a 30% copper concentrate– a very
saleable product – is also very encouraging. Additionally, the positive results of the leach
tests on oxide material – 96% copper in an acid leach and over 96% silver in a cyanide
leach raise the possibility of being able to use heap leaching as a means of copper and
silver recovery for that material.”
The consultant laboratory charged with completing these tests “The Eastern Mining and
Metallurgical Research Institute for Non- Ferrous Metals ” (VNIITsvetMet) based in
Kazakhstan reports that the chemical analysis of the drill core samples sent for
metallurgical tests are as follows:
Metal Oxide Sulphide
Copper % 0.56 0.56
Silver g/t 30.8 38.0
Gold g/t 0.07 <0.05
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AZARGA METALS CORP.
UNIT 1 – 15782 MARINE DRIVE, WHITE ROCK, B.C. V4B 1E6, CANADA
www.azargametals.com
The above results are considered positive because they represent close to the anticipated
average grade of the Unkur deposit and no elevated values of harmful components, such
as arsenic, were identified in mineralized material.
Metallurgical Recovery Tests – Sulphide
Using standard flotation methods, the mineral recovery tests revealed optimum flotation
recovery for copper minerals can be achieved for ±80% - 0.071 mm in sulphide material.
Open cycle tests with two cleanings of raw concentrate showed between 87.2 to 92%
recovery of copper and a possibility of producing a 30% copper concentrate. Maximum
recoveries for silver were achieved at a ±90% material ground to - 0.071 mm. Summary
table;
Flotation Tests Percent Recovery
Copper 87.2 – 92.0
Silver* 82.1 – 88.0
*Preliminary results
Metallurgical Recovery Tests – Oxide
Sulphuric acid leach tests showed 73.6 to 96.4% recoveries of copper depending on
fraction size at -20 mm, - 10 mm, and -0.071 mm; the best recoveries were achieved by
using -0.071 mm fraction size. Using the -0.071 mm fraction size, a cyanide leach over a
2 day period showed a 56.2% recovery for copper and a 96.7% for silver.
Leach Tests Sulphuric Acid Cyanide Leach
Copper recovery 73.6 – 96.4% 56.2%
Silver recovery Not applicable 96.7%
The laboratory work also included a phase analysis of copper minerals identified in the
oxide and unoxidized phase of mineralization, which confirms observations of the drill
core, summarized as follows:
Copper Minerals Oxide % Sulphide%
Chalcanthite 12.5 3.4
Malachite, azurite,
chrysocolla, cuprite,
tenorite
83.9 0.2
Bornite, chalcocite,
covellite
1.8 42.8
Chalcopyrite 1.8 53.6
Totals 100.0 100.0
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AZARGA METALS CORP.
UNIT 1 – 15782 MARINE DRIVE, WHITE ROCK, B.C. V4B 1E6, CANADA
www.azargametals.com
The proportion of acid soluble copper in the oxide material is 96.4%. The proportion of
copper sulphides in the sulphide sample is 96.4%. Phase analysis for silver is in progress.
However, silver was microscopically recorded.
Qualified Person
Azarga Metals’ President and CEO Michael Hopley, a Qualified Person as defined by NI
43-101, verifies the data disclosed and has reviewed and approved the disclosure
contained in this Press Release.
About Azarga Metals Corp.
Azarga Metals is a mineral exploration and development company that owns 100% of the
Unkur Copper-Silver Project in the Zabaikalsky administrative region in eastern Russia.
On completion of a first phase physical exploration program in 2016-2018, the Company
estimated an Inferred Resource of 62 million tonnes at 0.53% copper and 38.6g/t silver
for the project in the report entitled “Technical Report and Preliminary Economic
Assessment for the Unkur Copper -Silver Project, Kodar -Udokan, Russian Federation”
dated effective 30, August 2018 authored by Tetra Tech Mining & Minerals. The Resource
remains open in both directions along strike and down-dip.
AZARGA METALS CORP.
"Michael Hopley"
Michael Hopley,
President and Chief Executive Officer
For further information please contact: Doris Meyer, at +1 604 536- 2711 ext. 6, visit
www.azargametals.com or follow us on Twitter @AzargaMetals. The address of the head
office of Azarga Metals is Unit 1 - 15782 Marine Drive, White Rock, BC V4B 1E6, British
Columbia, Canada.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Statement:
This news release contains forward- looking statements that are based on the Corporation's current
expectations and estimates. Forward- looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as
"plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "suggest", "indicate" and other similar
words or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results
to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-
looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the actual results of current planned exploration
Page 4
AZARGA METALS CORP.
UNIT 1 – 15782 MARINE DRIVE, WHITE ROCK, B.C. V4B 1E6, CANADA
www.azargametals.com
activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans to continue to be
refined; possible variations in mineralization grade or recovery rates; accidents, labor disputes and other
risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental appr ovals or financing; and fluctuations in
metal prices. There may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated,
estimated or intended. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and,
except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to
update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or
otherwise. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue
reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.