Faraday Copper Announces Positive Metallurgical Results and Confirms High Copper Recovery through Coarse Grind and Flotation
NEWS RELEASE February 20, 2025
Faraday Copper Announces Positive Metallurgical Results
and Confirms High Copper Recovery
through Coarse Grind and Flotation
February 20, 2025 – Vancouver, British Columbia – Faraday Copper C orp. (“ Faraday” or the
“Company”) (TSX:FDY) (OTCQX:CPPKF) is pleased to announce the results of its metallurgical program
for the Copper Creek project in Arizona (“Copper Creek”). The metallurgical program utilized samples from
the Phase III drill program and was conducted by ALS Metallurgy ( Kamloops, BC) , with oversight by
Ausenco Engineering.
The primary focus of the program was to evaluate the metallurgical performance of potential open pit mill
feed material from the American Eagle area through coarse particle flotation across an extended spectrum
of grind sizes. Application of a coarse grind and coarse particle flotation offers the potential to significantly
increase mill throughput and reduce processing cost , compared to those contained in the Copper Creek
Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”)1.
This metallurgical program tested samples and composites from open pit domains by blending material
types to determine performance ranges under various mill feed conditions . Expanding upon previous test
work on the current resource area, the program was designed for comprehensive data collection related to
grind size optimization, mineralogical composition, variability testing, conventional flotation and coarse
particle flotation via hydrofloat.
Highlights
Achieved copper rougher recoveries2 of 95.0% on a sulphide composite from the American
Eagle area at a substantially larger grind size3 than that assumed in the PEA by applying
Coarse Particle Flotation (“CPF”), resulting in the following potential benefits:
Coarse grind and CPF can be used to maintain high copper recoveries across a full
spectrum of feed grades . Applying a 350 micron (“µm”) primary grind with CPF
scavenging returns comparable copper recovery to a conventional flotation circuit with a
200 µm primary grind3.
Significant increase to mill throughput.
Reduced ball mill grinding energy by approximately 50%.
Continued to demonstrate excellent metallurgical performance on samples from the near-
surface material at the American Eagle area, measuring locked cycle copper recoveries above
92% to a copper concentrate grade of approximately 31% copper.
Metallurgical test work confirms a coarse grind and high copper recovery flowsheet with a
highly marketable, clean concentrate.
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Data for the entire deposit supports the potential for low capital intensity and a favourable
operating cost profile. This data will underpin future technical studies.
Zach Allwright, VP Projects and Evaluations, stated " The metallurgical results represent a pivotal point in
the technical advancement of Copper Creek. The ability to maintain very high copper recoveries at a coarse
primary grind across a wide range of feed grades demonstrates the near-term potential for enhanced project
economics. The test work completed to date demonstrates that the mill throughput rate could be
significantly increased in a capital efficient manner, whil e reducing operating costs and reinforcing our
commitment to sustainability. We are excited to incorporate our recent drilling success and optimized
flowsheet approach into an updated technical study in the second half of 2025.”
Next Steps
The outcomes of this program will be assimilated with historical test work to form the basis of the flowsheet
design criteria and infrastructure considerations for future technical stud ies. The steps to continue to
enhance the value of the project include:
Exploration Drilling: Phase III drilling continues and is focused on growth of the open pit mineral
resource. The Company has conducted over 30,000 metres of drilling since the last Mineral
Resource Estimate was published 1, with the discovery of new zones of mineralization and a
portfolio of untested targets, this represents a significant opportunity to enhance the project value.
Metallurgical Assessments: Test work will continue on new targets , as material becomes
available, to maintain deposit-wide data coverage and ensure optimization opportunities are
realized in future technical studies.
Mineral Resource and Technical Report: The Company anticipates a data cut-off by the end of
the first quarter of 2025 and the release of an updated technical study in the second half of 2025.
This report will incorporate updated geological, geotechnical, economic and metallurgical
datasets.
Waste Rock Characterization: To complement existing material geochemical data and
evaluations, laboratory and field- based characterization programs will take place to optimize
waste management strategies.
Environmental Data: The Company continues to expand its environmental baseline data
collection program includ ing water sampling, installation of additional monitoring well s, stream
gauges, and piezometers in drill holes . The program also encompasses site-specific
meteorological and air data collection, along with archaeological, cultural, flora and fauna studies.
Metallurgical Program Technical Details
Overview
The metallurgical program utilized samples from the Phase III drill program, to complement and expand
upon previous test work as outlined in the PEA 1. The metallurgical program was conducted by ALS
Metallurgy (Kamloops, BC), with oversight by Ausenco Engineering.
This test work program was designed to complete the following scope with focus on the potential open pit
mill feed material:
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Semi-Autogenous Grinding (“ SAG”) mill comminution and Bond Mill Work Index ( “BMWi”) testing
completed on all samples.
Mineralogical composition assessment on eight sulphide variability samples.
Detailed mineralogy particle mineral analysis completed on sulphide master composite and coarse
fractions of CPF sulphide composite.
Flotation testing on sulphide composites and variability samples.
Hydrofloat testing on a CPF sulphide composite.
The outcomes of this program will be integrated with the historical test work to form the basis of the process
design criteria for the updated technical study expected to be released in the second half of 2025.
Sample Selection and Spatial Context
The metallurgical program comprised seven samples representing potential open pit material at the
American Eagle area and Area 51, and one sample from Old Reliable. Two composites were compiled to
challenge metallurgical performance and demonstrate deposit-wide application of coarse particle flotation.
The American Eagle master composite was compiled from sulphide materials to reflect a lower grade
composite than previously tested sulphide composites. The American Eagle a rea CPF composite was
designed to reflect a lower grade mill feed scenario and a blend of approximately 50:50 breccia with vein-
hosted mineralized material.
Samples were acquired from the Phase III drill program, which is focused on expansion of near -surface
mineral resources in the American Eagle area.
Sample details are presented in Table 1 and sample locations are presented in Figure 1 below.
Table 1: Phase 3 Metallurgical Sample Details
Met ID Area Domain Drill hole ID
Depth (m) Cu Mo Ag Au
from to % % g/t g/t
24-MET01 Starship/Area51 Breccia FCD-23-041 193.3 199.2 0.43 0.0005 1.7 0.08
24-MET02 Starship/Area51 Breccia FCD-23-042 61.2 73.3 0.67 0.0003 0.9 0.05
24-MET04 Old Reliable Breccia FCD-24-052 295.6 307.2 0.39 0.0094 2.0 0.03
24-MET05 American Eagle Breccia FCD-24-064 417 426.7 0.78 0.0196 2.4 0.03
24-MET06 Prada Breccia FCD-24-065 227.3 237.5 0.59 0.0019 0.6 0.02
24-MET07 American Eagle Veins FCD-24-066A 92.4 129.7 0.28 0.0006 0.9 0.02
24-MET08 Banjo
(High Grade) Breccia FCD-24-070 422.1 431.4 1.22 0.0023 1.7 0.04
24-MET09 Banjo
(Average Grade) Breccia FCD-24-070 338.9 348.9 0.49 0.0005 1.1 0.03
AE Area
Master
Composite
American Eagle Blended - - - 0.47 0.0020 1.1 0.02
AE Area CPF
Composite American Eagle Blended - - - 0.38 0.0020 1.0 0.02
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Figure 1: Sample Locations
Comminution Results
SAG and ball mill energy assessment tests were conducted on the variability samples, which included
industry standard SAG mill comminution and BMWi measurements, respectively. Results of the Phase 3
program and previous phases are presented in Table 2 below.
Table 2: Comminution Results
Material
A x b BMWi (kwh/t)
Min /
Max Average Min / Max Average
Sulphide - Phase 1 37 / 51 41 12.2 / 15.6 14.3
Sulphide - Phase 2 30 / 44 37 12.3 / 14.3 13.3
Sulphide - Phase 3 28 / 45 38 13.5 / 15.3 14.1
The outcomes of the comminution test work indicate that the new materials fall within the design tolerances
of the PEA. The Old Reliable sample showed a higher resistance to impact breakage with an Axb value of
28, however the American Eagle area and Area 51 were similar to previous results. The BMWi results were
similar to the averages measured in the previous programs , demonstrating consistent comminution
expectations across the known deposits.
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Flotation Performance – Sulphide Material
Flotation testing on the American Eagle area master composite (“MC”) culminated in a locked cycle test
conducted at a primary grind size of 218 µm. Similar process conditions to the locked cycle test conducted
in the Phase 2 program were applied to the Phase 3 program. Results are presented in Table 3 below.
Table 3: Locked Cycle Test Results
Sample
Primary
Grind
(µm P80)
Regrind
(µm P80)
Head Assay (%) Con Grade (%) Recovery (%)
Cu Mo Cu Mo Cu Mo
Phase 1 Sulphide MC 187 33 0.79 0.003 30.0 0.08 95.4 71.7
Phase 2 Sulphide MC 210 33 0.56 0.007 31.2 0.33 94.2 85.2
Phase 3 American
Eagle Area MC 218 22 0.48 0.002 31.4 - 92.1 -
The American Eagle area master composite returned similar metallurgical performance as the two sulphide
composites from the current open pit resource that were previously tested (refer to the Company’s news
release dated February 26, 2024). C ompared to the previously tested sulphide composites, the difference
in copper recoveries can be attributed to the lower feed grade and slightly higher losses to the cleaner
tailings. The near -surface samples of the American Eagle area have lower modelled molybdenum
concentrations than at depth and in other areas of the deposit, and as a result, molybdenum recovery was
not tracked in these flotation tests.
Open circuit cleaner flotation tests were conducted on each of the variability samples . The developed
conditions were applied, which included low dosages of potassium amyl xanthate (“PAX”) as a collector,
regrinding and up to three stages of dilution cleaning. Moderate dosages of lime were applied in the cleaner
circuit.
Chalcopyrite is the dominant copper -bearing sulphide and occurs together with minor amounts of bornite;
both recover well in a flotation circuit . This chalcopyrite dominant mineralization is representative of the
American Eagle area and the wider open pit resource. Area 51 samples (24-MET01 and 24-MET02) contain
chalcocite together with bornite, chalcopyrite and pyrite (Figures 1 and 5) , which explains the different
performance compared to the American Eagle area. Copper concentrate grades averaged 26% copper
when including vein-hosted material from the American Eagle area and pyrite and chalcocite-rich breccia
material from Area 51. Results are presented in Table 4 below.
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Table 4: Phase 3 Cleaner Flotation Results
Sample ID
Primary
Grind
(P80 µm)
Regrind
(P80 µm)
Feed Grade Concentrate Grade Recovery
Cu
(%)
Mo
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Mo
(%)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Mo
(%)
Ag
(%)
24-MET01 218 23 0.32 - 1.9 20.7 - 96 90.2 - 68.7
24-MET02 170 30 0.67 - 1.2 23.7 - 42 83.0 - 82.4
24-MET04 215 28 0.45 0.011 2.2 30.4 0.70 136 93.0 89.8 84.0
24-MET05 197 27 0.67 0.014 2.5 31.2 0.64 97 90.0 88.3 74.9
24-MET06 218 22 0.57 - 0.6 26.9 - 20 91.0 - 66.0
24-MET07 228 22 0.29 - 1.0 20.1 - 60 87.5 - 71.8
24-MET08 223 32 1.22 - 1.8 30.4 - 40 95.0 - 83.4
24-MET09 225 29 0.51 - 0.9 24.6 - 36 91.0 - 76.6
Molybdenum recovery was not targeted or tracked in a portion of these flotation tests as the feed grade
was deemed too low to result in appreciable upgrading to the bulk flotation concentrate. Only two samples
contained significant levels of molybdenum. In these two tests molybdenum recovery to the bulk
concentrate averaged 89.1%.
Coarse Grind and CPF Performance Overview
Flotation performance at coarse primary grind sizes was investigated using conventional 4-litre and 30-litre
Denver-type laboratory flotation cell s, and a lab scale Eriez Hydrofloat cell. A composite was assembled
with a greater portion of MET -07 sample (vein hosted mineralization), so that the feed material was lower
grade, therefore, resulting in a more challenging composite for achieving high copper recoveries.
CPF is a technique that combines the upward flow of a hydrosizer with flotation bubbles to recover coarse
mineralized particles that would otherwise report to tailings in conventional froth flotation. It can be applied
in a scavenging application on rougher flotation tails that have passed through hydrocyclone size separation
to remove lower grade fine material. The coarse material enters a hydrofloat cell, which recovers a coarse
scavenger concentrate. The thickened underflow, depleted of any fines, is essentially free-draining and can
be dewatered using a low energy system such as a sieve bend screen or a high-capacity belt filter.
Two bulk rougher flotation tests with hydrofloat scavenging were conducted on the Phase 3 CPF composite
at primary grind sizes ranging from 3 00 µm to 330 µm. In addition, four conventional bench scale flotation
tests were conducted over a wider primary grind size range. Results are presented in Table 5 and Figure
2, along with results from the Phase 2 program for comparison. Note that the Phase 2 composite originated
from zones further north that were comprised of higher -grade samples and contained less vein hosted
material.
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Table 5: CPF Results Summary
Sample Test
Primary
Grind
(µm P80)
Copper
Feed
Grade
(%)
Copper Recovery (%)
% of
Rougher
Tails to
Hydrofloat
Tails
Conventional
Rougher
Hydrofloat
Contribution
Net
Rougher
Phase 2
CPF
Composite
T21 192 0.70 97.5 - 97.5 -
T20 242 0.70 97.1 - 97.1 -
T19 295 0.70 94.4 - 94.4 -
P1 356 0.67 94.9 2.5 97.4 42.4
P2 445 0.75 93.4 2.8 96.2 45.3
P3 431 0.67 92.6 3.3 95.9 44.1
Phase 3
CPF
Composite
T29 212 0.38 95.6 - 95.6 -
T28 318 0.37 92.8 - 92.8 -
T26 305 0.38 91.9 4.7 96.6 39.5
T30 330 0.36 90.2 4.7 95.0 29.6
T31 375 0.38 89.2 5.9 95.0 35.9
T32 429 0.37 86.1 7.7 93.8 41.7
Notes to Table 5:
1. In tests with hydrofloat, conventional rougher tailings were classified such that approximately 50% of the mass
reported to a +150 µm or +212 µm fraction with elevated copper levels. These coarse tail ings were then treated in a
laboratory hydrofloat cell which recovered an additional coarse concentrate.
2. Only the conventional rougher component of T31 and T32 were completed, hydrofloat results were estimated
from assay by size data and T26 and T30 hydrofloat performance.
CPF performance confirms that a coarser grind can be applied to material originating from the American
Eagle area without compromising copper recoveries. CPF may provide a greater recovery benefit to lower
grade feeds that have more disseminated chalcopyrite textures , as demonstrated by the difference in
performance compared to the Phase 2 composite. Applying CPF scavenging on the rougher tails of a 350
µm primary grind appears to return the same overall rougher circuit copper recovery as a conventional
flotation circuit with a 200 µm primary grind as proposed in the PEA.
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Figure 2: Coarse Grinding and CPF Performance
The CPF concentrate requires regrinding prior to returning to the rougher feed or similar conventional
flotation stage. A simplified flowsheet incorporating CPF is presented in Figure 3.
Figure 3: Potential Coarse Grind Flowsheet
Additional grinding energy is only applied to a targeted 6% of the feed mass returning as CPF concentrate.
While the incremental copper recovery improvement is modest, a significant benefit of the CPF circuit is
removing tonnage from the tailings pressure filtration circuit. In this arrangement, approximately 57% of the
total mill tailings report to the fines dewatering circuit. The free-draining hydrofloat tailings can be dewatered
by more cost effective means 1 such as a dewatering screen or a belt filter. The tailings processing
opportunity of this flowsheet is presented in Figure 4. Preliminary results suggest that a CPF circuit could