In November 2008 Wildcat annnounced the results of some ongoing metallurgical test work being done by Hazen Research Inc. The work identified improvements to the initial design concept that are expected to reduce capital and operating costs by removing acid from the grinding step. Test work is ongoing and firm estimates will be provided on completion of the study. Preliminary results using the magnetic properties of Hermosa ore indicate further potential capital and operating cost reductions.

In addition, lead recoveries of more than 80% have been achieved. Prior work had not included lead as a by-product. Current estimates of lead grades are 2%. Test work has also confirmed that each step of the plant process identified in the preliminary assessment published by Pincock, Allen & Holt in February 2007 produces the intermediate products as designed.

Metallurgical testing was conducted by Hazen Research Inc. in 2005 on two drill composite samples in which the samples were ground and leached first with sparged sulfur-dioxide (SO2) and subsequently with cyanide with liquid/solid separation following each leach step. It was evident that SO2 leaching effectively dissolved the manganese, copper, and zinc. A cyanide leach then dissolved the silver. The initial recovery rates were 85% for silver, 90% for zinc and copper, and 95% for manganese. Based on the test work, PAH proposed a flow sheet to produce products via the following methods: silver recovery using a Merrill-Crowe circuit, zinc recovery using solvent extraction and electrowinning ("SX/EW") circuit, copper precipitation using zinc cementation, and manganese crystallization as manganese sulphate from the primary leach solution.

Click here to view the Hazen Research report from November 2008