Jun 12 2018
First Mining Gold Corp. (“First Mining” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has commenced a metallurgical study on the Company’s Springpole Gold Project (“Springpole”) located in northwestern Ontario, and it has selected M3 Engineering and Technology Corporation (“M3”) to lead this study.
The primary purpose of this metallurgical study is to determine the optimal flow sheet for Springpole. M3 will supervise the design and execution of the test work program, and the results from the study are expected to be incorporated into the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) for Springpole, expected to be completed in 2019.
A secondary focus of the study is to attempt to improve the recovery of gold for the current whole-ore Carbon-in-Pulp (“CIP”) flowsheet developed in the 2017 Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) as well as optimize recovery for the flotation flowsheet being investigated.
M3 is a full-service international engineering firm providing engineering, procurement and construction management services to the minerals industry. Founded in 1986, M3 has engineered and managed the construction of over $5.0 billion in mining projects and has won numerous awards, including two dozen prestigious awards from 2005 to 2016 including several Awards of Excellence in structural engineering and the American Mining Hall of Fame's 2007 Mining Foundation of the Southwest Industry Partnership Award.
Jeff Swinoga, President and CEO of First Mining commented, “Launching this metallurgical study is a significant milestone that will improve our understanding of the processing options at Springpole. We are also very pleased to have engaged a reputable, first-class engineering company such as M3, with their substantial expertise in successfully building processing plants in the mining industry. By determining the optimal flow sheet, we can move forward with a PFS for Springpole while we continue to advance the Environmental Assessment and permitting processes. By potentially increasing the estimated gold recoveries, we may be able to significantly improve the already attractive economics of Springpole, which is considered one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada.”
Daniel H. Neff, Chairman of M3 stated, “We are pleased that First Mining has chosen M3 to investigate processing options for the Springpole project. We are hopeful this engagement will lead to future work with First Mining, whether it’s their flagship Springpole project’s PFS or one of their four other significant gold projects in eastern Canada.”
The PEA for Springpole, which was completed in October 2017, contemplated a whole-ore CIP flowsheet; however, the Company will continue investigation of a flotation process with leaching of the flotation concentrate. While whole-ore CIP was demonstrated as an appropriate process in prior test work, the flotation route, if deemed feasible, could potentially result in savings in both operating and capital costs, as well as improved recovery.
Dr. Chris Osterman, P.Geo., COO of First Mining, is the “qualified person” for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (“NI 43-101”) and he has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical disclosure contained in this news release.