Erris said results from a bond mill index test and a bench flotation test demonstrated recoveries of 96.2% lead and 95.8% zinc. The bulk sample contained high concentrations of lead (8.36%) and zinc (13.1%), as well as "appreciable" levels of silver (129g/t).

CEO Anton du Plessis said the results had been positive and determined that good quality lead and zinc concentrates could be produced using a standard flotation process.

"Furthermore, the recoveries are excellent, the concentrate is clean with respect to penalty elements and the grindability characteristics of the mineralised sample are positive," he said.

The work identified high silver credits, with 448 parts per million silver in the lead concentrate and 340ppm in the zinc concentrate, as well as no significant toxic elements.

"The Bond Ball Mill Work Index was 8.76kWh per tonne, classifying the sample as being soft with respect to grindability indicating that any potential development could enjoy favourable processing costs as it would require relatively low primary milling power requirements," Erris said.  

It added the testwork also determined a straightforward standard flotation process could be used for concentrate production.

Erris said new drilling to enlarge the resource potential at Abbeytown would be undertaken after the positive metallurgical results.

Erris' shares (AIM:ERIS) were up 3.46% after the news to 5.38p (US6.98c), although 43.4% lower than six months ago.