Metallurgical Testing Returns High Purity Flake Graphite from Noram's Jumbo Property in Southeastern British Columbia
Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA, May 16, 2013 /FSC/ - Noram Ventures Inc. (NRM - TSX Venture), ("Noram" or the "Company") is pleased to report positive results from the preliminary metallurgical tests on a 10 kilogram sample obtained from the Big Flake area of the Jumbo Flake-Graphite Property (the "Property"), located in the Central Kootenay Region of British Columbia (See: Figure 1 http://www.noramventures.com/Maps/Kootenays_Figure1.jpg).
The metallurgical work was performed by SGS Minerals Services in Lakefield, Ontario ("SGS") and consisted of a series of mechanical operations including crushing and grinding to liberate the graphite followed by rougher and cleaner flotation. Loss on ignition ("LOI") testing* was then performed to determine grade.
Highlights from the metallurgical testing include the following graphite distribution and recovery results:
* 20.3% of the graphite reported to the +48 mesh (jumbo flake) category at a grade of 96.6% C(LOI);
* 25.2% reported to the -48/+80 mesh (large flake) category at a grade of 95.6% C(LOI);
* 11.2% reported to the -80/+100 mesh (medium flake) category at a grade of 95.0% C(LOI);
* 18.9% reported to the -100/+150 mesh (fine flake) category at a grade of 94.5% C(LOI); and
* 24.5% reported to -150 mesh (fine flake & <) category at a grade of 82.3% C(LOI).
* Loss on ignition testing represents the mass of moisture and volatile material present in a sample. The volatile materials lost usually consist of 'combined water' and carbon dioxide from carbonates. Results of this important test are a component of the whole rock analysis of a mineral. During an LOI test, SGS technical experts heat the sample at a specific temperature, collecting and measuring the moisture and volatiles that are released. The test continues until the mass of the sample ceases to change.
These initial metallurgical results are very encouraging with a total of 45.5% of the graphite reporting to or above the large flake category and at an average grade of 96.0% C(LOI). The lower grade of the -150 mesh & < category was to be expected given that this test was only exploratory in nature. SGS is confident this grade could be upgraded through flotation and possibly leaching.
The Jumbo Property is a new flake graphite discovery made in 2012 and there is no record of previous mineral exploration on the large >100 square kilometer (km) Property. Geological mapping and surface sampling carried out as follow up to a SkyTEM airborne electromagnetic (EM) survey identified an overall strike length of 35km of a favourable graphite horizon. A sinuous conductive (EM anomaly) feature, with widths ranging from a few hundred meters to 2km, appears to be outlining a tightly folded sedimentary horizon (See Figure 8b: http://www.noramventures.com/Maps/Jumbo_Figure8b.jpg). The Big Flake area, where the metallurgical sample referenced above was obtained from, lies within the Property's favourable graphite horizon.
The work being carried out by SGS is in follow up to recommendations contained in the recently completed National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com/DisplayProfile.do?lang=EN&issuerType=03&issuerNo=00031548), March 8, 2013. The Technical Report concluded that there is every indication that the Jumbo can host a significant resource of commercial grades of flake graphite.
The 2013 exploration campaign will be getting underway later this month and will include further sampling of the Big Flake area to define drill targets for an upcoming drill program.
Chris Dyakowski, P.Geo. and Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and verified the technical content of this news release on behalf of the Company.
About the Jumbo Property
Noram has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Jumbo, which covers an area of 10,539 hectares and is located in the Slocan Mining Division ~15km southwest of the town of Nakusp, BC on the west side of Upper Arrow Lake. Graphite is an industrial mineral, and ease of access and ease of extraction are equally important parameters as grade for determining the economic viability of a deposit. A network of logging roads crisscross the Property and a secondary road connects the property to BC Hwy 6, located ~20km to the south. Power and water for any industrial endeavour are readily available. A labour force with mining experience is well established in most towns and cities throughout the Nakusp-Arrow Lakes region, which has a rich history of mining that dates back to the 1860s.
About SGS Mineral Services
SGS is the world's leading inspection, verification, testing and certification company. With more than 75,000 employees, operating out of a network of more than 1,500 offices worldwide they are recognized as the global benchmark for quality and integrity. SGS's Lakefield office is considered the premier laboratory in Canada for graphite analysis.
About Noram Ventures Inc.:
Noram Ventures Inc. (TSX-V: NRM) is a Canadian based mineral exploration company with a project generator business model. The Company's strategy is to identify and acquire early-stage properties that offer large-scale resource potential, and create value through the initial drilling and discovery phase. Noram's current focus is on three properties in the Central Kootenay region of Southeastern British Columbia: the Jumbo Flake-Graphite Property, the Kokanee Flake-Graphite Property and the Silver Hill Molybdenum-Galena Property.
For further information, please visit www.noramventures.com.
For corporate, media, or investor communications contact:
Greg Lytle, Communications Manager
Phone: (604) 839-6946
Email: info@noramventures.com
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
s/ "David W. Rees"
President & Director
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
Certain statements in this release are forward-looking statements, which reflect the expectations of management regarding exploration work on the properties and the completion of the Offering. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or developments to differ materially from those contained in the statements. No assurance can be given that any of the events anticipated by the forward-looking statements will occur or, if they do occur, what benefits the Company will obtain from them. These forward-looking statements reflect management's current views and are based on certain expectations, estimates and assumptions which may prove to be incorrect. A number of risks and uncertainties could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, including: (1) a downturn in general economic conditions in North America and internationally, (2) the inherent uncertainties and speculative nature associated with mineral exploration, (3) a decreased demand for minerals, (4) any number of events or causes which may delay or cease exploration and development of the Company's property interests, (5) the risk that the Company does not execute its business plan, (6) inability to finance operations and growth, and (7) other factors beyond the Company's control. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
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