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(Sharecast News) - Anglo Asian Mining said on Thursday that it had completed significant processing upgrades at its Gedabek and Demirli operations, as the Azerbaijan-focused copper, gold and silver producer prepared for higher production volumes and advanced studies on its Garadag and Xarxar projects.
At Gedabek, the AIM-traded company said an upgrade to the flotation plant was on track for completion by the end of April.
Nine newly installed Imhoflot pneumatic flotation cells were intended to improve mineral recovery from higher-grade ores, including material from the Gilar mine, and were expected to lift gold and copper recoveries compared with conventional flotation.
Anglo Asian said the upgrade cost about $1.8m and should support margin enhancement and improved long-term profitability.
The firm said Gedabek's wider processing capabilities had also been strengthened through the addition of an Energy Efficient Pulp Lifter system to improve milling productivity, alongside an industrial shredder and a new licensed maintenance programme.
Further work was planned at the site's tailings facilities, including the installation of a fibre optic tailings dam embankment monitoring system.
At Demirli, Anglo Asian said both the SAG mill and ball mill were now operating after a replacement gearbox shaft for the ball mill was installed in the first quarter.
The company added that leach tests using a bio-heap leach column were producing encouraging results, with copper recoveries of up to 78%, indicating potential for future bio-heap leaching production, subject to further evaluation.
It also said it was progressing feasibility studies for the Xarxar and Garadag mines and expected to appoint consultants in the coming weeks.
Pilot mining studies were under way at Garadag, while planning continued for tests of Xarxar ores for copper bio-heap leach processing.
"I am pleased to announce these significant investments into our processing operations across our Gedabek and Demirli operations," said Stephen Westhead, vice president of Anglo Asian Mining.
"Investing in our processing capacity is particularly important as we seek to maximise returns from expected increased production volumes in the years ahead while executing our growth strategy.
"We also continue to make encouraging progress at our future Xarxar and Garadag projects, both representing important assets for Anglo Asian in the years ahead."
At 1457 BST, shares in Anglo Asian Mining were up 2.55% at 251.25p.
Reporting by Josh White for Sharecast.com.
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