ACG Metals Secures Heap Leaching Patent in Turkey, Boosting Recovery Rate by 10%

en.Wedoany.com Reported - ACG Metals, headquartered in London, announced on July 1, 2026, the successful implementation of a patented heap leaching process at its Gediktepe Mine in Turkey, increasing gold recovery from 75% to 85% while reducing cyanide usage by nearly 45%.

ACG Metals, a mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: ACG), acquired the Gediktepe Mine in September 2024. Located in Turkey, the mine is a producing asset with significant growth potential, primarily yielding gold, silver, copper, and zinc. The company's strategic goal is to gradually transition from gold and silver production to becoming a high-margin copper-focused producer.

The patented process announced is a proprietary technology method independently developed by ACG Metals, which has been granted a patent in Turkey and is pursuing patent applications in 35 countries worldwide. By introducing a new product into the metallurgical recovery process, this method significantly enhances the efficiency of heap leaching operations. After 14 months of commercial-scale testing, the company successfully stabilized gold recovery at approximately 85%. This represents a significant metallurgical breakthrough for heap leaching, a common method for extracting precious metals from low-grade ores.

This technological breakthrough yields dual benefits: on one hand, more gold is extracted from the same amount of ore, directly reducing unit costs; on the other hand, the substantial reduction in cyanide usage directly addresses long-standing environmental and regulatory challenges faced by the mining industry. ACG Metals stated that the process also shortens the leaching cycle, achieving higher yields, lower reagent costs, and faster processing speeds.

This breakthrough in heap leaching technology is a key step for ACG Metals in achieving its strategic transformation. By improving the efficiency and cash flow of its existing gold mining operations, the company has secured strong financial support for its planned copper and zinc mine expansion projects. The company plans to commence primary copper and zinc production from 2026.