San Gonzalo Vein Yields 93% Silver Recovery

VANCOUVER, BC - Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. reported that preliminary metallurgical testing on a composite sample of San Gonzalo ore has been completed at SGS Minerals Services, Durango, Mexico. The results indicate the silver and gold minerals will respond favourably to flotation with gold recoveries of 89 to 90% and silver recoveries of 92 to 93%.
The results are encouraging and the most favourable test conditions used in the lab are being used in developing the design and configuring the plant process flowsheet that is currently underway. In addition, the information derived from the lab work is also being used to support permitting applications that are also currently underway.
The grind series of tests showed a medium fine grind of 80% passing 150mesh provided the best results. Gold and silver recoveries were 89% and 92% respectively. In addition the recoveries of lead, zinc and copper were 71%, 76% and 90% respectively. The grade of the combined concentrate was 19.7g Au/t, 3967g Ag/t, 2.0% Pb, 5.4% Zn and 1% Cu. The mass pull to concentrate was 8.7%.
David Wolfin, President of the Company states: "With the positive results from the testing of San Gonzalo ore we are moving ahead with the necessary permits to commence a 10,000 tonne bulk sample. While we wait for the permits we have been assembling a 250 ton a day mill. A majority of the equipment is already on site."
The company's address is Suite 400, 455 Granville Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1T1, (604) 682-3701, fax: (604) 682-3600, email: [email protected].