Fitzroy Minerals Inc. (TSXV: FTZ, OTCQX: FTZFF, FSE: C3Y) announced results from the initial phase of metallurgical test work completed by SGS Laboratories at its Buen Retiro Copper Project in Copiapo, Chile. The test program evaluates the response of the project's three principal geometallurgical units to heap-leach processing, supporting the company's planned Heap Leach Development Plan. The units are high-grade oxide, low-grade oxide, and mixed. Mini-column testing, the first stage of column-based testing, is now complete, while larger-scale 1-metre column tests are ongoing and already trending above the mini-column results.
Mini-column testing confirmed a favourable response to heap leaching across all three units, with total copper recovery of 71.8% for high-grade oxide, 59.9% for low-grade oxide, and 82.6% for mixed material after 21 days, according to Table 1: Total Cu recovery and acid consumption by UGM, mini-columns, 21 days of leaching (closed data). Net acid consumption ranged from 3.4 to 11.2 kg/kg, and test reproducibility was excellent, as shown in Table 2: Duplicate results of CuT extraction at 21 days of leaching, mini columns (closed). Recovery curves were still trending upward at 21 days, suggesting further gains with longer leach times, as depicted in Figure 1. 21 day mini-column total copper recovery (final assays).
Preliminary results from 1-metre column tests are trending above the mini-column figures and pointing to further improvement as leach time and scale increase. Projections indicate column recoveries after 70 days of approximately 95% for mixed, 85% for high-grade oxide, and 74% for low-grade oxide. To determine expected industrial copper recovery, those results should typically be multiplied by a scaling factor between 0.8 and 0.9. The addition of chloride during agglomeration and leaching was identified as an opportunity to optimize copper recovery and acid consumption, improving recoveries by 3 to 5 percentage points in both oxide units at similar acid consumption.
Merlin Marr-Johnson, President and CEO of Fitzroy, commented: "These results exceed what we were hoping for from our first phase of metallurgical testing at Buen Retiro. Final copper recoveries of up to 82.6%, achieved with low acid consumption and excellent reproducibility across three separate Units in just 21 days, give us real confidence in the heap-leach case for the Project. Even more encouraging is that the more representative, one-metre columns are trending higher, pointing towards a final recovery of 95% after 75 days of leaching, for the Mixed material. Combined with soft, easily-crushed, moderately abrasive rock, this test work materially de-risks our path toward heap-leach production at Buen Retiro."
Hardness testing returned low Bond Work Indices below 8 kWh/t across the lithologies, indicating soft, low-competency material favourable for lower specific energy requirements at the crushing stage. Abrasivity indices fall in a medium-to-moderate range, suggesting predictable wear on equipment. These results will have a favourable impact on the design of the project's crushing circuit.
The initial phase of metallurgical testing confirms a favourable response of the project's oxide and mixed mineralization to heap leaching. The closed mini-column results compare well with benchmark heap-leach projects, and the positive effect of chloride addition provides a clear avenue for further optimization. Preliminary results from the ongoing 1-metre column tests corroborate these findings and point to further improvement in recovery as leach time and scale increase, subject to confirmation once the metallurgical balances are closed.
Leaching continues on the six 1-metre columns, with metallurgical balances expected to be finalized at the end of September 2026. The company anticipates completing its full 1-metre column test campaign by mid-December 2026, with 3-metre column testing and ROM 10-inch column testing expected to begin in early November 2026. The overall metallurgical test campaign and final report are expected by March 1, 2027. Results will be incorporated into the company's PFS for Buen Retiro, planned for release in Q2 2027. For more details, see the original release on NEWMEDIAWIRE.
