Emerita Reports Albion Process Achieves 81% Gold and 96% Silver Recovery from Post Flotation Material Samples at IBW Project
MWN-AI** Summary
Emerita Resources Corp. has announced significant advancements in metallurgical testing at its Iberian Belt West (IBW) Project in Spain, achieving an impressive 81% gold recovery and 96% silver recovery using the Albion Process. These results surpass previous testing outcomes, which recorded gold recoveries of 81.5% and silver recoveries between 64% using the CLEVR post-flotation process. The Albion Process, which involves ultrafine grinding and oxidative leaching, effectively extracts precious metals from residual materials following flotation.
Conducted at CORE Resources’ laboratories in Australia, the Albion testing demonstrated successful extraction of precious metals from refractory sulphide matrices. This method is recognized for its commercial viability in treating such materials, making it a strong candidate for the IBW Project’s processing needs.
In comparison to the previously evaluated pyrometallurgical approach, which combines thermal oxidation and CLEVR processes, the Albion Process shows a notable advantage in silver recovery, reaching 96% compared to the CLEVR's maximum of 64%. Both methods achieve similar gold recoveries around 81%.
Emerita Resources plans to explore additional processing technologies throughout 2026 to refine its approach. The dual success of both the hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical routes adds flexibility and reduces metallurgical risk for the project. Joaquin Merino, the Company’s President, emphasized the importance of the Albion Process for maximizing the project’s value, particularly in a favorable market for silver.
The positive metallurgical results underscore Emerita's commitment to technical innovation and sustainable mineral resource development as it progresses towards a Prefeasibility Study. The company aims to ensure that the IBW Project not only meets economic viability standards but also adheres to environmental and operational efficiency benchmarks.
MWN-AI** Analysis
Emerita Resources Corp. (TSX-V: EMO; OTCQX: EMOTF; FSE: LLJA) has made significant strides at its Iberian Belt West (IBW) Project, achieving impressive metallurgical recoveries of 81% for gold and 96% for silver using the Albion Process. This represents a notable enhancement over previous results obtained via the CLEVR process, particularly in silver recovery.
For investors, this news offers a positive outlook for Emerita. The ability to recover such high percentages of both metals demonstrates not only the project’s technical viability but also the potential for profitability at current metal prices. The shift from pyrometallurgical treatments, which yielded lower silver recoveries, to the more effective hydrometallurgical Albion Process improves the project's operational efficiency and reinforces its economic moat in a competitive market.
Emerita's continued exploration of various metallurgical options indicates a commitment to refining their processes further, which may result in additional cost efficiencies and recoveries, ultimately enhancing the project’s overall economics. With gold consistently being a hedge against inflation and silver gaining attention for its industrial applications, the company is well-positioned to capitalize on these trends.
The ongoing Prefeasibility Study (PFS) will be crucial in determining the primary processing route, and the decision to analyze operational efficiencies along with recoveries inspires investor confidence in delivering favorable project economics.
From a trading perspective, it may warrant a closer look at Emerita's stock performance leading up to and following these results. As the market reacts to the favorable metallurgy findings, stakeholders might consider taking positions or increasing allocations in anticipation of further positive developments and updates. Overall, Emerita’s strategic decisions and successful metallurgical advancements make it a compelling asset within the resource sector.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
TORONTO, March 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emerita Resources Corp. (TSX-V: EMO; OTCQX: EMOTF; FSE: LLJA) (the “Company” or “Emerita”) is pleased to announce results from metallurgical tests using the Albion hydrometallurgical process and has achieved 81% recovery of gold and 96% recovery of silver at its wholly-owned Iberian Belt West Project (“IBW” or the “Project”).
These results exceed the previously reported metallurgical results (see press release dated May 27, 2025), which reported gold recoveries of 81.5% and 64.1% using the optimized CLEVR post-flotation process.
The Albion Process™ for La Romanera deposit is a post-flotation stage metallurgical process. Specifically, the samples tested were the residual material remaining after the flotation process removed the base metal concentrates. Some gold and silver reports to the copper and lead concentrates, however, more than 80% is in the post flotation material. The Albion Process™ is a commercially proven and widely implemented technology for the treatment of refractory gold concentrates, based on ultra-fine grinding and oxidative leaching. The process was developed in 1994 at Core’s laboratories and is licenced worldwide by Glencore Technology.
Albion Process Results
The Albion Process™ test work was conducted at CORE Resources’ laboratories in Australia. The Albion-based flowsheet tested consisted of three key steps:
- Ultrafine grinding and atmospheric oxidation using the Albion Process™
- Oxidative Neutral leaching within at mildly acidic to near?neutral pH
- Precious metals recovery via Carbon-in-Pulp (“CIP”) recovery circuit followed by elution
The Albion Process™ test results achieved:
- 81% gold recovery
- 96% silver recovery
These results demonstrate that the Albion hydrometallurgical oxidation route effectively liberates precious metals contained within refractory sulphide matrices at the IBW Project and significantly enhances silver recovery.
Comparison with Pyrometallurgical Oxidation + CLEVR Route
The alternative route previously evaluated for the IBW Project consists of:
- Single-step pyrolysis and thermal oxidation (pyrometallurgical treatment)
- Cooling, then acid washing
- Gold leaching using CLEVR Process™ non-cyanide technology
The CLEVR Process™ test results achieved (refer to press release dated May 27, 2025 for additional details):
- 81.5% gold recovery
- 64% silver recovery
Table 1 provides a comparison of the post-flotation technologies evaluated by the Company for the IBW Project.
Table 1. Precious metals recoveries for Albion Process + CIP compared to Pyrolosis + CLEVR technologies.
| Parameter | Albion + Neutral Leach + CIP | Thermal Oxidation + CLEVR |
| Gold Recovery | 81% | 81.5% |
| Silver Recovery | 96% | 50-64% |
| Oxidation Type | Hydrometallurgical (atmospheric) | Pyrometallurgical |
| Gold Leaching | CIP | CLEVR (non-cyanide) |
Emerita Resources will continue to test several other technologies in 2026 to determine the most optimal flowsheet for the Project.
The metallurgical results achieved with both pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical routes significantly enhances the technical robustness of the IBW Project. The availability of two technically viable processing alternatives reduces metallurgical risk and increases flexibility in the selection of the final process flowsheet. The results offer potential to further optimize the flotation process and base metals recoveries and is currently being evaluated by the ongoing test work. The Company will decide on one of these options for the ongoing Prefeasibility Study (PFS), however there will be opportunity to incorporate further optimization of the process prior to a final design.
Joaquin Merino, P.Geo., President of Emerita, states “The Albion post flotation optimization process for the IBW Project is a key piece to unlocking the value of the mineralization that we continue to expand through our drill campaigns. Both technologies that we have examined demonstrate comparable gold recoveries of approximately 81%. However, the Albion route maximizes silver recovery, which in the current market may add significant value to the IBW Project. To define the optimal post flotation processing route to maximize the value of the IBW Project, Emerita is evaluating alternatives not only based on precious metals recovery, but also with respect to operational efficiency, environmental performance, scalability and long-term project economics.”
Emerita remains committed to technical excellence and aims to position the IBW Project as a reference project in the responsible and efficient development of mineral resources.
Qualified Person
Scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by each of Joaquin Merino, P.Geo., President of the Company and. Jorge A. Blanco, MChem., Director of Metallurgy of the Company and each a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101. Messrs Merino and Blanco are not considered independent of the Company.
About Emerita Resources Corp.
Emerita is a natural resource company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in Europe, with a primary focus on exploring in Spain. The Company’s corporate office and technical team are based in Sevilla, Spain with an administrative office in Toronto, Canada
For further information, contact:
Ian Parkinson
+1 647 910-2500 (Toronto)
info@emeritaresources.com
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Information
This press release contains “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, without limitation, statements regarding the metallurgy of the IBW project, the viability of metallurgical recoveries, the prospectivity of the IBW project, the mineralization and the IBW project, the economic viability of the IBW project, the metallurgy of the IBW project, the Company’s ability to produce and publish an economic study for the Project, the Company’s future exploration plans and the Company’s future plans. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “occur” or “be achieved”. Forward- looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Emerita, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to: general business, economic, competitive, geopolitical and social uncertainties; the actual results of current exploration activities; risks associated with operation in foreign jurisdictions; ability to successfully integrate the purchased properties; foreign operations risks; and other risks inherent in the mining industry. Although Emerita has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Emerita does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
NEITHER TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACYOF THIS RELEASE.
FAQ**
How do the metallurgical recovery rates of gold and silver for Emerita Resources Corp EMOTF compare between the Albion process and the previously reported CLEVR process for the Iberian Belt West Project?
What are the potential economic implications of achieving 96% silver recovery through the Albion process for Emerita Resources Corp EMOTF's Iberian Belt West Project?
How does the flexibility of having two viable processing options benefit Emerita Resources Corp EMOTF in minimizing metallurgical risks and optimizing project economics?
What factors will Emerita Resources Corp EMOTF consider when deciding on the optimal post-flotation processing route for the Iberian Belt West Project in the ongoing Prefeasibility Study?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Emerita Resources Corp (OTC: EMOTF).
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