Pivotal Metals has reported an uplift in copper recoveries exceeding 90 per cent following Phase 2 metallurgical testwork at its Horden Lake copper project in Quebec, Canada.
The testwork program expanded the project’s metallurgical database to 17 samples across various feed grades. Results from a second locked cycle test demonstrated a 90.5 per cent copper recovery, producing a high-grade concentrate grading 26 per cent copper alongside significant silver, gold, and palladium credits.
Based on the project’s 2026 mineral resource estimate head grade, total copper recovery now stands at 92 per cent, with 88 per cent reporting to a clean 24 per cent copper concentrate and 4 per cent payable in the nickel concentrate.
Updated recovery rates for secondary metals include 46 per cent for nickel, 73 per cent for silver, 61 per cent for gold, 60 per cent for palladium, 42 per cent for cobalt, and 29 per cent for platinum.
Trader feedback confirmed that metal payabilities exceed standard commercial thresholds, with both copper and nickel concentrates remaining free of penalty elements.
Pivotal Metals Managing Director Ivan Fairhall said the results strengthen the technical framework for the asset.
“This work confirms the excellent copper metallurgy previously reported, and an ever-improving framework to forecast recoveries of all payable metals across Horden Lake,” Fairhall said.
“LCT copper recovery of over 90 per cent into a high-grade, clean concentrate remains the standout result.
“Importantly, the nickel, gold, silver PGM and cobalt by-product credits continue to add meaningful value and support our strategy of demonstrating we have an important viable critical metals project.”
The updated recovery algorithms will feed directly into the company’s ongoing scoping study, which is scheduled for completion in September.
The strong precious metal recoveries also preserve potential future non-dilutive financing options, such as metals streaming, as Pivotal advances the asset toward commercial development.
Combined with Québec’s low-risk jurisdiction, infrastructure access and government support, these results continue to de-risk the development pathway and reinforce Horden Lake’s positioning as a scalable, copper-dominant project.
