Century zinc mine still has life

4th August 2017 By: Esmarie Iannucci - Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Results from an optimisation study at the Century zinc mine, in Queensland, have confirmed a recovery range of between 60% and 64% for the proposed tailings project.

ASX-listed New Century Resources is currently investigating a restart feasibility study to recommission the existing seven-million-tonne-a-year processing plant through the initial treatment of tailings, before examining other primary ore sources.

The mine was the third-largest zinc mine in the world prior to its closure in 2016, and is estimated to host more than 2.1-million tonnes of zinc, 340 000 t of lead and 11-million ounces of silver.

The tailings deposit is estimated to host some 71-million tonnes of ore, grading 2.73% zinc, containing some 1.94-million tonnes of zinc.

“Verification of zinc recovery and concentrate grade is an important step in confirming the overall value proposition of the project. It is a fantastic achievement of the New Century metallurgical team to have built on the substantial historical development work, including a 10 000 t bulk pilot processing trial, to successfully improve on the previous 50% zinc recoveries and achieve production of a high-quality zinc concentrate from the substantial tailings resource,” said New Century Resources MD Patrick Walta.

“Century represents one of the most exciting potential near-term producing zinc assets on the ASX. The strong zinc recovery results and high concentrate grades achieved from the Century tailings deposit, combined with the sheer scale of the existing flotation plant at the site, should enable Century to once again establish itself as a significant zinc producing asset."