EnviroGold Global has successfully completed Phase 2 testing on tailings from Hecla Mining Company’s Greens Creek mine in Alaska, validating its proprietary NVRO Process™ with exceptional recovery rates of 98.07% for silver and 99.46% for gold. The results confirm near-complete sulfide oxidation and strong metal liberation, positioning the project for potential commercial recovery of silver, gold, base metals, and critical minerals while advancing sustainable mining practices through above-ground resource utilization.
Positive Metallurgical Breakthrough at Greens Creek Tailings Project
EnviroGold Global Limited recently announced compelling outcomes from the second phase of its structured test work on tailings material sourced from Hecla Mining Company’s Greens Creek operation, one of the largest primary silver mines in the United States located on Admiralty Island in Alaska.
The Greens Creek mine has long been recognized for its significant production of silver, gold, zinc, and lead concentrates. Hecla employs advanced environmental practices at the site, including the dry-stack method for tailings management—an approach the company pioneered to minimize surface disturbance and enhance long-term stability. A substantial portion of tailings is reused as underground backfill, with 46% repurposed in recent operations to reduce surface storage needs.
EnviroGold’s involvement stems from its focus on reprocessing historical and ongoing mine waste to extract residual precious and critical metals using its proprietary NVRO Process™. This clean technology targets sulfide-rich tailings, oxidizing minerals to liberate encapsulated values without traditional energy-intensive methods or extensive new surface disruption.
In the recently completed Phase 2 work—part of the company’s Rapid Deployment Pathway—the testing demonstrated highly favorable metallurgical characteristics. Key highlights include near-complete oxidation of sulfide minerals present in the tailings, which facilitated excellent liberation of contained metals. Laboratory results showed recovery rates of 98.07% for silver and 99.46% for gold under the applied conditions.
These figures represent a strong validation of the NVRO Process™’s effectiveness on this specific material. The process achieved these recoveries while confirming the technical suitability of the Greens Creek tailings for further development. EnviroGold emphasized that the outcomes align with expectations from earlier phases, building confidence in the project’s progression.
Subject to additional detailed studies, regulatory approvals, and mutually beneficial commercial arrangements between the parties, the initiative holds considerable promise. Potential outcomes include the economic recovery of not only silver and gold but also base metals such as zinc, lead, and copper, alongside critical minerals that are increasingly vital for renewable energy technologies, electronics, and national supply security.
The Greens Creek tailings represent an above-ground resource opportunity—often referred to as “Metals without Mining”—allowing value extraction from existing waste stockpiles rather than new ore extraction. This approach addresses environmental legacies from past mining while supporting domestic production of strategic materials amid growing global demand.
EnviroGold has indicated that a bulk sample from the Greens Creek site is now being prepared and shipped to Western Australia for Phases 3 and 4 of the test program. These subsequent stages will focus on flowsheet optimization, pilot-scale validation, and more comprehensive economic assessments to refine the process parameters and confirm scalability.
The collaboration underscores a broader industry shift toward circular economy principles in mining. Major operators like Hecla are exploring reprocessing options for tailings to unlock additional value, improve site reclamation, and reduce long-term liabilities associated with waste storage. For Greens Creek, which continues robust production—including multi-million-ounce silver output annually—integrating tailings re-treatment could enhance overall resource efficiency and sustainability metrics.
From a market perspective, announcements like this often highlight the potential for junior technology providers to partner with established producers. EnviroGold, trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under NVRO and OTCQB as ESGLF, has seen notable interest following such developments, reflecting investor attention to innovative solutions in the critical minerals space.
The NVRO Process™ has been positioned as commercially ready in prior case studies and advancements, with capabilities to handle varying grades and mineralogies. Improvements in flowsheet design have broadened its applicability to lower-grade materials, expanding the addressable market for tailings reprocessing globally.
As the program advances, stakeholders will monitor progress on the bulk sample testing and any updates regarding commercial discussions. The results to date mark a meaningful step forward in demonstrating how advanced hydrometallurgical techniques can transform mine waste into recoverable assets, contributing to both economic and environmental objectives in the U.S. mining sector.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, financial recommendation, or solicitation to buy or sell securities. Readers should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified professionals before making investment decisions.