Deep-South Resources appoints Australia's national science agency to conduct bio-assisted heap leaching test work at Haib copper project in Namibia

Deep-South Resources Inc (CVE:DSM) (OTCMKTS:DSMTF) (FRA:DSD) has appointed the world-renowned Australian national science agency Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to conduct bio-assisted heap leaching column test work at the Haib copper project in Namibia.  

METS Engineering Group of Australia has been appointed to supervise and overview the test work, which is part of Deep-South’s recently announced metallurgical test work at the project.

“With the drilling program under way, we are delighted to initiate a collaboration with CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, which is a leader in scientific research and bio-assisted heap leaching technologies,” said Deep-South CEO Pierre Leveille in a statement.

READ: Deep-South Resources reveals first results from 10,000 metre drill program at flagship Haib copper project in Namibia

“The main aim of this test work is to improve copper recoveries and therefore improving the Haib copper project robust economics.”

The company said the goals of the bio-assisted heap leaching test work include the evaluation of the performance of promising solvent extraction reagents for extraction and separation of copper and molybdenum and monitor and evaluate the adaptation of bacterial strains for improved ore processing. 

The test work will also monitor and evaluate percolation performance, and will mainly serve to optimise the bio-assisted heap leaching processes with the ore at Haib.

Deep-South said the initial column test work will assess two size fractions of the ore. 

One will be at a size of <2.36 mm and the other one at a size of <1.7 mm. The undersize will be screened at -106 microns, removing the requirement for agglomeration prior to leaching. The undersize material (-106 microns) will be the object of a sighter program to assess amenability to a flotation, roasting, and leaching flowsheet. This will further define if overall target recoveries can be achieved from the fine material and metal extraction can take place at an increased pace versus column leaching.

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