PTX Metals Inc. has reported strong initial metallurgical results from its W2 copper-nickel-PGE project in Northern Ontario's Ring of Fire region, showcasing high copper recoveries and the potential to produce a high-grade copper concentrate. This marks the first known metallurgical testing on the W2 mineralization, conducted at SGS Lakefield.
Key Highlights
- Copper recoveries ranged from 97% at 8.4% Cu grade to 92% at 28% Cu grade.
- Palladium and gold were upgraded by 21 times and 16 times, respectively, in the final copper concentrate.
- Locked cycle testing is planned as the next step in metallurgical evaluation.
Company Statement
Greg Ferron, President and CEO of PTX Metals, stated: “These initial metallurgical results represent an important milestone in advancing our understanding of W2. The ability to achieve strong copper recoveries and produce a high-grade concentrate through initial testing provides encouraging validation of the project. This work will be used to define exploration strategies for the W2 project while we continue to search for higher grade zones within the bulk tonnage, mineralized envelope in the 2026 exploration season.”
Metallurgical Testing Details
For the initial test program, a composite sample was constructed from higher-grade drill core intervals from several zones within the project. The sample had a head grade of 0.78% Cu, 0.32% Ni, 0.29 g/t Pd, 0.11 g/t Pt, and 0.04 g/t Au. Mineralogical characterization by QEMSCAN revealed approximately 3% chalcopyrite in the sample, well liberated at a primary grind size of 100 microns. The main gangue minerals are pyrrhotite and pyroxene minerals with minor quartz.
Paragenesis Study
The company also announced the completion of a paragenesis study to investigate and characterize the nature of copper, nickel, gold, and platinum-palladium mineralization at the Central Target.
Next Steps
PTX plans to continue metallurgical testing as additional exploration drilling is completed, with the goal of further enhancing precious metal recoveries and completing confirmatory locked cycle tests. The W2 project is a polymetallic asset focused on copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum group elements, and gold.
