Sama Reports Update on Metallurgical Recoveries and Improved Locked Cycle Tests results from the Samapleu and Grata Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Platinum Group Element (PGE) Project, Located in the Ivory Coast, West Africa
NR 2023-05
Sama Reports Update on Metallurgical Recoveries and
Improved Locked Cycle Tests results from the Samapleu and
Grata Nickel-Copper-Cobalt-Platinum Group Element (PGE)
Project, Located in the Ivory Coast, West Africa
Montréal, Quebec March 06, 2023– Sama Resources Inc. (“Sama” or the “Company”) (TSX-V:
SME; OTC -PK: SAMMF) is pleased to announce completion of the latest metallurgical test
program applying a modified process flowsheet to its Samapleu-Grata nickel (“Ni”), copper (“Cu”),
cobalt (“Co”) and platinum group elements (“PGE”) Project in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The latest
metallurgical testwork comprised enhanced Locked Cycle Tests (“LCT”) on composites from the
Samapleu Main and Grata deposits, and batch testing on a composite from the Samapleu
Extension zone. This testwork was completed by Blue Coast Research Ltd (“ BCR”), a leading
metallurgical testing and consulting company based in Parksville, British Columbia.
Highlights:
• Composite samples from the Samapleu Main and Samapleu Extension zones, and from
the Grata zone have all been tested using a slightly modified version of the treatment
scheme described in the January 24, 2023 press release.
• The Samapleu Main and Grata composites were both tested in locked cycle mode,
yielding:
o 83% and 88% copper recoveries to copper concentrates assaying 26% and 27%
copper respectively.
o 67% and 72% nickel recoveries to nickel concentrates, both assaying 13% nickel.
o 51% and 61% cobalt recoveries to the nickel concentrates.
o 60% palladium recovery to both concentrates, with most of the palladium reporting
to the nickel concentrate.
o 47% and 62% platinum recovery to both concentrates, with most of the platinum
also reporting to the nickel concentrate.
• Testwork on the Samapleu Extension composite demonstrated the process to be
applicable to the Extension zone as well, though recoveries were lower. This comp osite
yielded high concentrate grades of both the base and the precious metals.
“The metallurgical testing at Blue Coast Research continued improving the already excellent
recoveries and concentrate grades using the Locked Cycle Tests. The high-grade nickel and
copper concentrates are very attractive and of great value which could be f urther enhanced by
the payable precious metals .” stated Dr. Marc -Antoine Audet, President & CEO of Sama
Resources Inc.
Flotation
A slightly refined version of the processing scheme described in the release of January 24, 2023
has now been applied to all three composites. This scheme relies entirely on flotation to produce
direct saleable concentrates without the need for any further on -site metallurgy. The scheme is
widely used in the industry and is relatively inexpensive. It is well-suited for application on remote
mine sites.
The recent work culminated in locked cycle testing of the Grata and Samapleu Main composites.
In these tests, both composites were subjected to the same scheme, and both responded
similarly. This suggests material mined from both sources can be processed through the same
plant and most likely can be blended.
Copper, nickel and cobalt results are highlighted below:
Copper concentrate Nickel concentrate
Grade, % Recovery, % Grade, % Recovery, %
Copper Nickel Cobalt Copper Nickel Cobalt Copper Nickel Cobalt Copper Nickel Cobalt
Samapleu
Main Zone 26 1.2 0.05 83 3 3 1.6 13 0.5 9 67 51
Grata 27 1.1 0.04 88 4 4 1.3 13 0.5 6 72 61
Copper flotation yielded 83 -88% copper recovery, to concentrates assaying 26 -27% copper.
Nickel and cobalt misplacement to the copper concentrate was 3-4%. Nickel flotation yielded 67-
72% nickel recovery to concentrates assaying 13% nickel. Cobalt recoveries were 51% and 61%
for the Samapleu Main and Grata composites respectively.
In both cases a combined 60% of the palladium was recovered to the copper and nickel
concentrates, the majority being recovered to the nickel concentrate. The palladium grades are
expected to yield attractive payment terms from smelters. Platinum grades should in most cases
be high enough to attract some payment, with recoveries to both concentrates of 47% and 62%
from the Samapleu Main and Grata composites. Gold may also attract a small pay from both
copper concentrates:
Copper concentrate Nickel concentrate
Grade, % Recovery, % Grade, % Recovery, %
Platinum Palladium Gold Platinum Palladium Gold Platinum Palladium Gold Platinum Palladium Gold
Samapleu Main 1.8 6.4 1.4 12 19 26 2.8 7.6 0.3 35 41 10
Grata 1.1 7.3 1.2 22 23 43 1.5 8.7 0.3 40 37 12
The Samapleu Extension composite was also subjected to two batch tests using the chosen
flowsheet, primarily to assess the applicability of the same flowsheet to this part of the resource.
No locked cycle tests were run on this composite. The tests yielded very similar concentrate
grades to the locked cycle tests, with good selectivity again evident between the copper and nickel
concentrates. Recoveries were somewhat lower. While some of this lower recovery can be
ascribed to the batch nature of the test, even in locked cycle mode copper and nickel recoveries
are still expected to be lower for this material.
Key results are shown below:
Copper concentrate Nickel concentrate
Grade, % Recovery, % Grade, % Recovery, %
Copper Nickel Copper Nickel Copper Nickel Copper Nickel
Samapleu Extension Zone 28 0.8 67 1 2 16 8 48
The copper and nickel concentrates assayed 19 and 21 grams per tonne (“g/t”) combined Pt/Pd
respectively. Platinum and palladium would both attract good payment terms from such
concentrates, while gold, assaying 4 g/t, will attract good pay from the copper concentrate. Cobalt
assayed 0.8% in the nickel concentrate. Recoveries of these minor metals are difficult to project
from batch tests but like copper and nickel appear somewhat lower for Samapleu Extension based
on this composite.
Qualified Person and Quality Assurance
The metallurgical technical information in this release has been reviewed and approved by Chris
Martin C.Eng, MIMMM, Consulting Metallurgist, while the geological tech nical information has
been reviewed and approved by Dr. Marc -Antoine Audet, Ph.D. Geology, P.Geo and President
and CEO of Sama, both acting as a ‘qualified person’, as defined by National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure for metallurgical reporting.
About Sama Resources Inc.
Sama is a Canadian -based, growth -oriented resource company fo cused on exploring the
Samapleu nickel-copper project in Ivory Coast, West Africa. The Company is managed by
experienced industry professionals with a strong track record of discovery. Sama is committed to
developing and exploiting the Samapleu Nickel-Copper and Platinum Group Element Resources.
Sama’s projects are located approximately 600 km northwest of Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire and
straddle both sides of the Ivorian and Guinean borders in West Africa. Sama’s projects are located
adjacent to the large world -class nickel-cobalt laterite deposits of Sipilou and Foungouesso ,
forming a 125 km long new Base Metal Camp in West Africa.
Sama owns 70% interest in t he Samapleu nickel-copper project in Ivory Coast , with its joint
venture partner Ivanhoe Electric owning 30%. Ivanhoe Electric has the option to purchase up to
a 60% interest in the project. For more information about Sama, please visit Sama’s website at
www.samaresources.com.
About Ivanhoe Electric Inc.
Ivanhoe Electric (NYSE American: IE, TSX: IE ), is an American technology and mineral
exploration company that is re-inventing mining for the electrification of everything by combining
advanced mineral exploration technologies, renewable energy storage solutions and electric
metals projects predominantly located in the U nited States. For more information , visit
www.ivanhoeelectric.com
Contact Information:
Dr. Marc-Antoine Audet, President and CEO
Tel: (514) 726-4158
Mr. Matt Johnston, Corporate Development Advisor
Tel: (604) 443-3835 or (877) 792-6688, Ext. 5
Forward-Looking Statements
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limitation, the ability of the company to convert resources in reserves, its ability to see through the next phase of
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its ability to execute on its development plans in terms of metallurgy or exploration, the availability of financing
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resources and reserves, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that future
exploration, development or mi ning results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, metal price
fluctuations, environmental and regulatory requirements, availabi lity of permits, escalating costs of remediation
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unanticipated difficulties with or interruptions in exploration or development, the potential for delays in exploration
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Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove
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