PRESS RELEASE: GPM has successfully used Glencore Technology’s atmospheric leaching process to increase overall recovery from sulphide concentrates in its Ararat plant from 20% to over 95%, defying expectations and targets. GPM is now evaluating a second line of the Albion Process.

The new agreement combines GPM’s expertise in Albion Process operation and its knowledge of the Russian refractory gold market with Glencore Technology’s expertise in processing technology.

The Albion Process plant at Ararat, which is now operating above design throughput and recovery levels, was fully supplied by Glencore Technology and installed, commissioned and ramped up in partnership with GPM Gold.

While Glencore Technology has three certified Albion Process testing facilities – Core Resources, TOMS Minerals in Irkutsk and XPS/Kingston Process Metallurgy – this new agreement creates an entirely new collaboration.

The agreement means the GPM plant can now be used as a training facility for what is recognised as a proven combination of ultrafine grinding and oxidative leaching. And it means Albion Process clients can gain a faster ramp-up through better technology transfer.

GPM will have the right to market the technology in Russia in partnership with Glencore Technology. The Ararat plant will become an exemplary plant to show potential clients the Albion Process in operation and to provide training of operations, maintenance and technical personnel.

The Ararat plant will even be used to test-treat third party materials to evaluate the technology ahead of commissioning.

The collaboration agreement continues the six-year relationship between GPM and Glencore Technology and begins immediately.