Oxide ore samples were taken from the Zone A and Selin prospects at Sanankoro, with "excellent" gold recovery characteristics and similar test work responses observed at both samples.

Cora had aimed to test both the heap leach and carbon-in-leach (CIL) methodology by establishing a preliminary indication of the response of the oxide mineralisation to gold extraction by cyanide leach.

CEO Jonathan Forster said the results indicated the "clear potential" to be able to use heap leach or CIL as a process methodology in the future, making them "highly encouraging".

"The results have demonstrated that, with minimal crushing of the oxide sample, we can achieve excellent gold recoveries of potentially up to 97% and that an industry standard and cost-effective processing route can be utilised on the oxide mineralisation," he said.

The recoveries, which ranged from nearly 70% to over 97% depended on crush size and were achievable through cyanide leach extraction.

The company will now use the preliminary results to inform the next two-month stage of the metallurgical test work, which will focus on picking between heap leach and gravity-CIL process routes. 

"Upon completion of the full programme, we will have a good indication of the appropriate process methodology and can then begin planning for a more detailed metallurgical programme that will support and progress the Sanankoro project towards potential development scenarios," Forster said.

Cora has had a busy year at Sanankoro so far, with high-grade gold mineralisation indicated via drilling in February and gold mineralisation confirmed at Selin earlier this month.

The company's shares dropped 5% Monday to 4.75p (US6.3c), also 61.6% lower than six months ago.