Drill core samples were grouped into four separate types of mineralisation (domains), Oxide 1, Oxide 2, Mixed oxide/sulphide and Sulphide.

"We are pleased to report these very positive early stage metallurgical tests which indicate that the California oxide, mixed oxide/sulphide, and sulphide gold zones should be amenable to cyanide heap leach or agitated leach processing methods. More detailed test-work is needed to draw any definitive conclusions, but these results are a great start," said Joey Wilkins, president and CEO.

The four domains were defined by mineralisation type, gold grade, and depths to fit the possibility of a future open pit mining scenario.

By design, each domain sample was split into two groups before testing, so they could be reduced to 2.0mm and 75 microns. Results from the fine fraction have excellent recoveries of 94.3 per cent with Oxide 1, 94.2 per cent with Oxide 2, Mixed sulphide/oxide at 89.0 per cent, and the Sulphide at 78.7 per cent. These preliminary and outstanding recoveries show all domains, particularly the Sulphide domain, may be leachable by cyanide heap leach or agitated leach processes.