Jun 6 2016
Dundee Sustainable Technologies Inc. is pleased to announce that it has received, from Environment Canada, through the Canadian Environmental Technology Verification Program, an independent certification of the performances of its cyanide-free gold extraction process.
The certification confirms that the DST Gold Process successfully extracted an average of 81%, with a maximum of 90%, of the gold content from a refractory gold bearing pyrite concentrate, while the cyanide extraction process achieved an average of 71% on the same material. This material is from a jurisdiction which has restricted the use of cyanide within its territory. This refractory concentrate was chosen due to the difficulty of extracting its gold using conventional processes, hence demonstrating the effectiveness of the DST Gold Process.
Throughout the ETV program, a total of 170 tonnes of gold bearing refractory pyrite concentrate were processed. The performance test sampling was conducted at DST's demonstration plant according to the test protocol developed by STS Canada Inc. and under its supervision. Samples were submitted for analysis to SGS Canada - Mineral Services - Lakefield, an accredited laboratory.
All solid residues met environmental norms and DST's chlorination circuit delivered the anticipated gold recoveries which were higher on average than cyanide yields on same samples. In addition, the process successfully demonstrated its closed circuit operation with the recycling and regeneration of the reagents.
John W. Mercer, President and CEO of DST stated: "We consider this an important endorsement of the DST Gold Process; demonstrating its potential as an interesting alternative to cyanide".
DST is currently working on projects for the commercialization of its technologies in Canada, Argentina, Bulgaria, Chile, Ireland, Namibia and Peru.