Peru copper hopeful Regulus Resources plans to test larger column samples from its AntaKori project using Rio Tinto’s proprietary Nuton sulphide leach technology after phase-one work on sulphide copper material produced “very encouraging” results.
The Toronto-listed junior said its initial program aimed to assess the suitability of the Nuton process on primary sulphide copper ores from AntaKori, and “look at a variety of test conditions which will help guide future test work”.
“The results of the phase 1 program indicate that mineralisation from AntaKori is amenable to sulphide leaching, and that a phase two program is warranted,” Regulus said.
“Nuton and Regulus have defined the phase two program which will entail column tests on larger-scale samples.”
Regulus said the Nuton flowsheet featured a conventional crushed and agglomerated feed, bio-heap leach for heap leaching copper sulphide minerals, but also included a catalytic and other reagents, plus a bacterial growth and inoculation facility.
Regulus said phase two results could take a year to be reported after it delivers test samples.
It is meanwhile also exploring other processing options.
