Mechanical Sorting Generates Encouraging Results at Karratha
Mechanical Sorting Generates Encouraging Results at Karratha
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 31, 2019 -- Novo Resources Corp. (“Novo” or the “Company”) (TSX-V: NVO; OTCQX:
NSRPF) is pleased to announce it has received encouraging results from initial testing of mechanical rock sorting of gold-
bearing conglomerate from its Karratha gold project.
As discussed in the Company’s news releases dated November 19 and December 20, 2018, the potential viability of
mechanical rock sorting was tested by subjecting four bulk samples (see Figure 1 below for sample locations) to crushing,
screening, and sorting using a TOMRA mechanical rock sorter. Sorted rock concentrates of very small volume were generated
returning high gold contents.
Assays of the sorted waste material, undersize (-6 mm) fraction and oversize fraction (+63 mm) have returned allowing for
further evaluation of this technique (please refer to Table 1 below).
• Samples KX234 and KX237 generated 81.1% and 89.4% recovery of gold, respectively, from the 6-63 mm fraction that
was sorted. These recoveries are considered very encouraging considering these tests are first pass and un-optimized.
Interestingly, the best recovery is from the lowest grade sample, KX237.
• Although samples KX235 and KX236 generated lower recoveries, the fine (-6 mm) unsorted fraction of each of these
samples displays higher grade than the respective calculated head grade. Novo believes the well-oxidized, crumbly
nature of the rock comprising these bulk samples may have played a role in lower recoveries. Gold particles appear to
have preferentially reported to the fines rather than remain encapsulated in rock that was sorted. Such oxidation
persists to about 1-2 m below surface at Karratha. Below this level, Novo believes the targeted conglomerate will be
harder and less crumbly.
• Sorter tailings commonly display gravity recoveries of gold of over 50% indicating significant coarse gold remains in this
material. Novo believes crushing to somewhat finer size, perhaps 50 mm, may improve sorter recoveries because X-
rays will more readily penetrate smaller rock particles making it easier for the mechanical sorter to identify gold
particles.
• Although testing was conducted on rock particles down to 6 mm size, further work is needed to determine the lowest
range of particle size that can effectively be sorted. Further crush testing is also required in order to determine means of
minimizing generation of fines and maximizing the fraction of material that can be sorted.
• Gravity recoveries of gold from the undersize (-6 mm) fraction of the four bulk samples tested during this study range
between 44%-64%. This data suggests gravity recovery of gold from unsorted fines may be a viable treatment option.
• Novo considers mechanical sorting a potentially low cost means of concentrating gold that is particularly suitable for
the nuggety conglomerates Novo is exploring in the Pilbara. Novo is currently undertaking a thorough review of recent
mechanical sorting test data to determine means of optimizing crushing and sorting and what further testing is needed.
Table 1 – TOMRA mechanical rock sorting results from four Karratha bulk samples.
Sample
ID
Mass
(kg)
Size
Fraction
Size
Fraction
as % of
Total
Mass
Mass of
Sorter
Concentrate
(kg)
Mass of
Sorter
Concentrate
as % of
Total Mass
Gold Grade
of Sorter
Concentrate
(gpt)
Gold
Grade of
Unsorted
Material
(gpt)
Gold
Grade
of
Sorter
Tails
(gpt)
Stage
Recovery
of Sorter
(%)
Gold
Distribution
to Sorter
Concentrate
(%)
Calculated
Head
Grade of
Sample
(gpt)
KX234 5460
greater
than 63
mm 2.3% - - - 5.18 -
2.976 to 63
mm 67.2% 13.5 0.25% 792.4 - 0.68 81.1% 66.0%
less
than 6
mm 30.6% - - - 1.43 -
KX235 3981
greater
than 63
mm 19.3% - - - 0.21 -
1.916 to 63
mm 64.8% 19.1 0.48% 188.8 - 1.01 58.1% 47.5%
less
than 6
mm 15.8% - - - 1.95 -
greater
than 63
mm 9.6% - - - 0.57 -
KX236 4205 1.406 to 63
mm 61.5% 13.0 0.31% 92.1 - 0.70 39.8% 20.3%
less
than 6
mm 28.9% - - - 2.19 -
KX237 4418
greater
than 63
mm 9.2% - - - 0.17 -
0.4610 to 63
mm 41.5% 3.2 0.07% 377.8 - 0.08 89.4% 60.3%
less
than 10
mm 49.3% - - - 0.27 -
Size fractions in italics were too
coarse or too fine to be sorted
Reported masses may be slightly different to those quoted in the Company's news release dated
December 20, 2018 because materials were re-weighed at the assay laboratory
"Novo is highly encouraged by initial mechanical sorting results,” commented Rob Humphryson, CEO and a Director of Novo.
“Typically, mechanical sorting machines are utilized to upgrade mineralization by sorting out waste. In this case, gold is being
directly and effectively concentrated. Novo expects that optimizations can be made to further enhance this means of
gold recovery."
Novo staff collected bulk samples discussed in this news release. Bulk samples were crushed at Cook Industrial Minerals in
Perth, Australia prior to being shipped to TOMRA. Once rock sorting was completed, the concentrate and smaller mass
tailings samples were submitted to MinAnalytical Laboratory Services Australia in Perth, Australia for analysis via Photon
assay and fire assay. PhotonAssay methodologies are described in Novo’s news release dated December 20, 2018. Larger
tailings samples were submitted to SGS Minerals in Perth, Australia where they were treated in a test plant detailed in Novo’s
news releases dated February 6 and May 31, 2018. All assay certificates and head grade calculations were provided by SGS
and MinAnalytical, with the calculations and head grades checked by Novo internal resources. There were no limitations to the
verification process and all relevant data provided to date was verified.
Dr. Quinton Hennigh, P. Geo., the Company’s, President, Chairman, Director, and a qualified person as defined by National
Instrument 43-101, has approved the geological content of this news release.
About Novo Resources Corp.
Novo’s focus is to explore and develop gold projects in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, and Novo has built up a
significant land package covering approximately 12,000 sq km with varying ownership interests. For more information, please
contact Leo Karabelas at (416) 543-3120 or e-mail [email protected]
On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Novo Resources Corp.
“Quinton Hennigh”
Quinton Hennigh
President and Chairman
Neither 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 news release.
Forward-looking information
Some statements in this news release contain forward-looking information (within the meaning of Canadian securities
legislation) including, without limitation, statements as to planned exploration activities and the expected timing of the receipt
of results. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different
from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. Such factors include, without
limitation, customary risks of the mineral resource industry as well as the performance of services by third parties.
Figure 1 – Plan map showing the location of samples KX234, KX235, KX236 and KX237. Sample KX234 is material from the
Lower Cannonball Conglomerate. The remaining samples are from the Upper Cannonball Conglomerate.
A PDF accompanying this announcement is available at: http://resource.globenewswire.com/Resource/Download/8a75c28b-
4501-4e84-a0a5-b66cc154c249