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Ero Copper announces excellent results from comprehensive ore sorting trial campaign
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX: ERO) is pleased to announce the results from its comprehe
About this update from Ero Copper Corp.
[{"type":"text","content":" VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 30, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ero Copper Corp. (the “Company”) (TSX: ERO) is pleased to announce the results from its comprehensive ore sorting trial campaign, which commenced in the first quarter of 2020 and tested approximately 29,000 tonnes of material through early September. Material from eight sources within the Curaçá Valley were tested, representing a range of grade profiles. Confirmatory testing on additional deposits within the Vermelhos District remains ongoing in support of the Company’s upcoming life-of-mine plan update, which remains on track for completion in the fourth quarter. HIGHLIGHTS Up to 4.5x upgrade ratios achieved across all grade profiles for samples tested within the Vermelhos Mine and for high-grade samples from the Pilar Mine at minimal copper loss after sorting, averaging only 9.8% for screened sorter feed samples. Upgrade ratios of approximately 1.4x to 2.0x achieved for several open pit deposits throughout the Curaçá Valley with slightly higher copper losses, averaging 15.5% to 26.0%, for screened sorter feed samples tested at the Surubim and Suçuarana Mines, low-grade development material from within the Pilar Mine and material from a historic Angicos Mine stockpile. Based on the success of the trial campaign and economic evaluations, ore sorting is expected to be integrated into the Company’s upcoming life-of-mine plan update with a focus on implementing the technology within the Vermelhos District as a result of the excellent response to ore sorting and potential savings in transport costs. Potential ancillary benefits of ore sorting implementation include reduced consumption of fresh-water, diesel and electricity and reduced flotation tailings generated per tonne of copper produced – substantially advancing towards achieving the Company’s long-term environmental and sustainability commitments within the Curaçá Valley. Commenting on the results of the campaign, David Strang, President & CEO, stated, “One of our objectives for this year was to fully evaluate ore sorting at commercial throughput rates. The comprehensive trial campaign conducted during the first part of the year has clearly demonstrated that deposits throughout the Curaçá Valley are amenable to upgrading. Given the combination of excellent upgrade ratios across grade-profiles, high waste reje...