Kutcho Copper Recovers up to 92.3% Copper and 84.2% Zinc in Metallurgical Locked Cycle Test Results, improving on Pre-feasibility Results
Kutcho Copper Corp. | 717 – 1030 West Georgia Street | Vancouver, British Columbia | Canada | V6E 2Y3
Telephone: (604) 628-5623 | www.kutcho.ca
Kutcho Copper Recovers up to 92.3% Copper and 84.2% Zinc in Metallurgical Locked
Cycle Test Results, improving on Pre-feasibility Results
Vancouver, B.C., September 11th, 201 9. Kutcho Copper Corp. (TSXV: KC) (OTC: KCCFF )
(“Kutcho Copper” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results of ongoing metallurgical testing on its
100% owned Kutcho Project in British Columbia, Canada. This test program is part of the work completed
or underway that is designed to support completion of a Feasibility Study for the Kutcho Project.
The results were produced from recent Locked Cycle Tests completed on composites representing a range
of proposed process plant feed material characteristics found within the Main Lens of the Kutcho Project,
including sulphur content, copper grade and copper min eralogy. The 2019 Kutcho Composite “A”
compares favourably with the updated 2018 Measured and Indicated resource in terms of both precious and
base metal grades and total sulphur (pyrite content) which more closely approximates the known average
sulphur co ntent and respective metallurgical response. Composite “B” represents complex material
containing higher sulphur content (as pyrite) compared to the updated resource model. Material tested is
originated from the 2018 infill drill program from the Main lens and represent the current bounds of
understanding for the Kutcho Project.
The recoveries of copper and zinc to their respective concentrates have improved significantly over the
2017 Pre-feasibility (PFS) Life of Mine (LOM) results including improved zinc concentrate grades and the
rejection of zinc from the copper concentrate, as shown in the tables below. Silver performance was also
significantly improved. Selected copper and zinc concentrates produced from the 2019 cycle tests were
analysed for minor trace metallic elements and were found to be free of impurities which would typically
attract smelter penalties.
2019 Locked Cycle Test Results
Main Lens Composite A
Product Weight Grade Recovery
(%)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(%)
Ag
(%)
Cu concentrate 7.5 26.6 4.7 2.8 347 92.3 9.7 36 71
Zn concentrate 5.1 0.9 59.7 2.1 84.2
Feed (Composite A) 100 2.2 3.6 0.6 37 100 100 100 100
Main Lens Composite B
Product Weight Grade Recovery
(%)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(%)
Ag
(%)
Cu concentrate 5.5 27.1 6.0 2.1 306 82.6 17.4 32 49
Zn concentrate 2.0 0.9 58.6 1.0 63.2
Feed (Composite B) 100 1.8 1.9 0.4 34 100 100 100 100
Kutcho Copper Corp.
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2017 PFS LOM Metallurgical Parameters (for comparison)
Product Weight Grade Recovery
(%)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(g/t)
Ag
(g/t)
Cu
(%)
Zn
(%)
Au
(%)
Ag
(%)
Cu concentrate 6.2 27.6 7.3 2.5 269 84.7 14.0 41 48
Zn concentrate 4.4 1.2 55.1 2.6 75.7
Feed 100 2.0 3.2 0.4 35 100 100 100 100
“We are extremely pleased with the progress and results of the recent ly completed metallurgical test
program. We have undertaken comprehensive work investigating multiple avenues to improve copper
recoveries, concentrate quality, and advance our mineralogical understanding of the deposit. This
comprehensive knowledge and data will feed directly into the Feasibility Study.” said Vince Sorace ,
President & CEO of Kutcho Copper.
The flowsheet utilized in the 2019 b ench scale test work recently completed at Base Metallurgical
Laboratories in Kamloops, BC (BaseMet) has also simplified the processing scheme in that a single stage
of flotation cleaning has been used in the copper circuit and only two stages of flotation cleaning were
required in the zinc circuit. A thorough review of the historical Kutcho metallurgical test work was
undertaken as part of this program . T he batch test work leading up to the cycle testing utilized several
procedures found to be successful in the past work and a number of new procedures were also incorporated
in this year’s work. The primary grind size used in the test work program based on the recent comminution
and mineralogical data is a target of 75 microns K80, which was achieved in the test work. Regrinding was
utilized in both the copper and zinc circuits with the copper cleaning circuit regrind being approximately
15 microns K80 and the zinc cleaning circuit regrind being approximately 20 microns K80. The se target
parameters were identified in the mineralogical assessments conducted on the feed samples and the test
work results confirmed those findings. The total mass of material which will be subject to finer grinding is
less than 20% of the anticipated mill feed.
The 2019 metallurgical program at BaseMet is ongoing , with variability composites selected to provide
better definition to metallurgical drivers which will enhance the link between the prediction of metallurgical
performance and mine planning in the Feasibility Study. In preparation for this work, a comprehensive
mineralogical study is under way to determine the variability of abundance of the copper sulfide minerals,
principally chalcopyrite and bornite, as well as the major sulfide, pyrite. The zinc carrier is predominantly
sphalerite.
Qualified Person
Tom Shouldice, Chief Executive Officer of Base Metallurgical Laboratories is a professional metallurgical
engineer with over 20 years of experience in mineral processing. His relevant experience includes plant
operations, project management, engineering and all aspects of metallurgical testing. Tom specializes in
flotation and mineralogical interpretation in relation to metallurgica l response. Mr. Shouldice is a
“Qualified Person” as defined in National Instrument 43-101 “Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects”
of the Canadian Securities Administrators and has reviewed and approved this press release.
Rory Kutluoglu, B.Sc. P.Geo., a “Qualified Person” as defined by Na tional Instrument 43-101, has read
and approved all technical and scientific information contained in this news release. Mr. Kutluoglu is the
Company’s Vice President, Exploration & Development.
Kutcho Copper Corp.
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About Kutcho Copper Corp.
Kutcho Copper Corp. is a Canadian resource development company focused on expanding and developing
the Kutcho high grade copper-zinc project in northern British Columbia. Committed to social responsibility
and the highest environmental standards, the Company intends to progress the Kutcho Project through
feasibility and permitting to a positive construction decision.
Vince Sorace
President & CEO, Kutcho Copper Corp.
For further information regarding Kutcho Copper Corp., please email [email protected] or visit our website
at www.kutcho.ca.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
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.
This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward -looking statements” with respect to the
Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forwa rd-looking statements are statements that are not
historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words “expects”, “plans”, “anticipates”,
“believes”, “intends”, “estimates”, “projects”, “potential” , “indicates”, “opportunity”, “possi ble” and similar
expressions, or that events or conditions “will”, “would”, “may”, “could” or “should” occur. Although Kutcho
Copper believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions,
such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results
or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties
include, but are not limited to, the Company’s ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property
agreements going forward, to maintain its mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop
the Kutcho project or its other projects, to repay its debt and for general working capital purposes; changes in
economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associates with mineral exploration and mining
operations, future prices of copper and other metals, changes in general economic c onditions, accuracy of mineral
resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the potential to convert inferred resources to
indicated or measured resources, the potential to optimize the mine plan, the ability of the Company to obtain the
necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the Kutcho project and if obtained, to obtain
such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company’s plans and business objectives for the projects;
the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws
or regulations that could have an impact on the Company’s operations, compliance with environmental laws and
regulations, aboriginal title claims and rights t o consultation and accommodation, dependence on key management
personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward -looking statements are based on the reasonable
beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required
by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward -looking statements in the event that
management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.