US gold producer Group 11 Technologies has said initial research into using non-invasive cyanide-free mining solutions has achieved positive results.

A process to develop In-situ Recovery (ISR) of gold using environmentally friendly solutions - used with samples from Rattlesnake Hills Gold Project, Wyoming - emonstrated recoveries ranging from 15.9% to 77.5%, averaging 48.2% .

Bottle roll testing of crushed and ground material returned gold recoveries ranging from 38.3% to 89.5%, averaging 61.4% using a non-cyanide solution. Group 11 is working to develop and prove the process for ISR of gold and other metals.

The company noted that EnviroMetal Technologies was engaged to conduct this initial test work using its proprietary and environmentally friendly chemistry on existing core samples selected by Group 11 

Dr. Dennis Stover, Chief Technical Officer of Group 11 Technologies and enCore Energy Corp. and co-discoverer of the in-situ recovery process in the uranium sector said: "Group 11 is very pleased with the initial tests which have shown strong results to extract gold from the existing core sample with an environmentally friendly solvent. This first step will provide the basis for future tests to be conducted on the use of the lixiviant in combination with ISR technology. Group 11 is working to create new environmentally-friendly options to extract gold and other metals through less invasive ISR extraction which is in widespread use in the uranium sector."