Rapid Critical Metals Ltd (ASX:RCM) has delivered strong initial flotation results from its Webbs and Consol silver projects in New South Wales, recording silver recoveries of up to 98.7% and lead recoveries of as much as 99.3%.
The bench-scale testwork also returned zinc recovery of 93.3% from the Consol Master composite, supporting the company’s view that the mineralisation responds well to conventional flotation processing.
Managing director Byron Miles said the results addressed a key technical consideration for the projects.
“This is a significant milestone for Rapid because metallurgy is one of the most important technical risks in developing any mining project. These outstanding flotation results demonstrate that the silver, lead and zinc mineralisation at Webbs and Consol responds exceptionally well to conventional processing.”
Consol delivers strongest overall performance
The Consol Master composite produced the best overall metallurgical response, returning 98.7% silver recovery, 99.3% lead recovery and 93.3% zinc recovery at a finer grind size of 125 microns.
The same test generated a bulk rougher concentrate grading 1,048 g/t silver, 20.8% lead and 23.8% zinc.
Meanwhile, the Consol Fines composite produced the highest-grade silver concentrate in the program at 2,051 g/t silver, alongside lead recovery of 98.1%.
At Webbs, lead recovery reached 97.2% across both grind sizes, while silver recovery improved to 88% at the finer 125-micron grind.
Rapid said finer grinding consistently improved silver and zinc recovery, indicating that mineral liberation will be an important consideration in future flowsheet design.
Testwork supports flowsheet development
The program comprised six rougher flotation tests across three composite samples — Webbs Master, Consol Master and Consol Fines — tested at grind sizes of 125 and 250 microns.
The results are preliminary bulk rougher recoveries rather than final saleable concentrate specifications, with further cleaner flotation work required.
Rapid will now undertake cleaner flotation testing, refine grind size and reagent conditions, assess additional variability samples and incorporate the findings into ongoing flowsheet and study work.
High-grade projects in established mining district
Webbs and Consol are high-grade silver-polymetallic projects in the New England Fold Belt of northern New South Wales, an established mining region with existing infrastructure.
Webbs is a historically mined silver deposit around 10 kilometres north of Emmaville, while Consol hosts intrusion-related silver, lead and zinc mineralisation within the southern New England Orogen.
Rapid is also planning further drilling, resource work and technical studies as it advances the projects.
About Rapid Critical Metals
Rapid Critical Metals is focused on the discovery and development of high-grade silver and critical mineral assets.
Its portfolio is anchored by the Webbs and Conrad silver projects in New South Wales and the Prophet River gallium-germanium project in British Columbia, Canada.
The company is progressing resource upgrades, step-out drilling and new target testing across its portfolio.