Rapid Ore Characterisation of Supercycle Test Products from the Project X Test Work

Geoffrey R. Lane B.Sc.(Hon), P.Geo. PMC Proj# X

Sept. 30, 2013

• The sample is mainly composed of galena with subordinate amounts of sphalerite and organic carbon, and lesser amounts of pyrite and silicate gangue. Pyrite and sphalerite were mainly present as liberated grains with moderate amounts of pyrite occurring as binary particles with galena with lesser amounts as ternary/composite particles with sphalerite, chalcopyrite, silicate gangue and/or galena. Sphalerite is present in moderate amounts as liberated grains with significant amounts as binary with galena, silicate gangue and as complex particles. Copper sulphides (mainly chalcopyrite) are present as liberated grains (>80%) with moderate amounts as locked and middling particles. Associations of the sulphides and silicate minerals are based solely on the SEM-EDS analysis of the sample and does not include associations with organic carbon (lignite).

Pb Con Cycle 5-10

Mineral  Mass% Pb  Con  Cycle  5-­‐10

Lignite 23.2Galena 38.2Sphalerite 17.7Chalcopyrite 4.85Bornite 0.08Covellite 0.15Tetrahedrite-­‐Tennantite 0.35Pyrite 4.34Arsenopyrite 0.48Carbonates 0.79Quartz 2.83Plagioclase 0.94Orthoclase 4.35Fe-­‐Oxides 0.05Amphibole 0.38Biotite 0.54Muscovite 0.16Clay 0.15Pyroxene 0.02Chlorite 0.02Other  Silicates 0.31Total 100.0

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Figure 2: Large liberated organic carbon and fine liberated chalcopyrite and sphalerite. Galena is present as liberated grains and locked in sphalerite

Figure 1: Significant liberated organic carbon, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, pyrite and galena. Framboidal pyrite locked in organic carbon

• The sample is mainly composed of sphalerite with minor amounts of organic carbon, pyrite and primarily fine silicate gangue as well as trace amounts of chalcopyrite and galena. Sphalerite occurs primarily as liberated grains with minor amounts as binary particles with pyrite and/or silicate gangue. Organic carbon is present as primarily liberated grains. Arsenopyrite, galena and chalcopyrite occur mainly as liberated grains with moderate amounts as binary particles with sphalerite and minor amounts as complex particles.

Zn Con Cycle 6-9

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Figure 3: Primarily liberated sphalerite with occasional grains of liberated chalcopyrite and galena

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