West Melville Initiates Metallurgical Test Work, Isortoq Project, Southern Greenland
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VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct 20, 2014) - West Melville Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:WMM) ("West Melville" or the "Company") today announced that it has entered into a contract with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia to undertake a program of metallurgical test work on the Isortoq Project. One hundred kilograms of representative sample has been shipped to the CSIRO laboratory in Perth and test work has commenced.
"Given the low geological risk, extremely low strip ratio for open pit mining and the highly favourable logistics offered by the Isortoq Project, the key to the success for this project lies in identifying an economically viable metallurgical extraction procedure," stated Dr. Rory Moore, CEO of West Melville Metals. "Several promising hydro-metallurgical techniques applicable to iron-titanium-vanadium deposits such as Isortoq are currently being developed at innovative laboratories around the world. The CSIRO was chosen to conduct the test work based on its impressive credentials in the field of metallurgical research and development. The program of test work will establish the suitability of the Isortoq ore to hydrometallurgical processing, and if successful, a strategy for fine tuning a flow sheet at a pilot plant scale will be developed."
The initial program at the CSIRO will consist of two phases of test work. Phase 1 will test the leaching properties of the Isortoq concentrate in three different acid systems. Contingent upon the success of the leaching tests, Phase 2 will evaluate solvent extraction methods followed by value recovery (precipitation / hydrolysis / crystallization) to produce high purity titanium, vanadium and marketable iron products. Phase 1 is expected to be completed by the end of November.
Isortoq Project
The Isortoq Project is a large iron-titanium-vanadium prospect located in southern Greenland. In January 2013, the Company announced an initial National Instrument (NI) 43-101 resource estimate for the Isortoq Project located of 70.3 million tonnes grading 38.1% FeO (29.6% Fe), 10.9% titanium oxide (TiO2) and 0.144% vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) applying a 15% iron cutoff. It is significant to note that this initial resource represents drilling on less than one kilometre of the Isortoq body while evidence from previous drilling and the 2012 ground magnetic survey has demonstrated a strike length exceeding 16.3 kilometres with the mineralized body being open to the south. The property is favourably located on a deep, ice-free ocean inlet on the temperate southern coast of Greenland within 60 km of Narsaq and 100 kilometres from Narsarsuaq International Airport. Bench scale beneficiation tests produced average concentrate grades of 48.7% Fe (62.6% FeO); 19.1% TiO2 and 0.32% V2O5 with acceptably low levels of penalty elements S, P, Si, Al. These are positive indicators that support the future economic potential of the project.
About CSIRO
The CSIRO is Australia's national science agency and one of the largest and most diverse research agencies in the world.
About West Melville Metals Inc.
West Melville is a specialty metals exploration company working to advance the Isortoq iron-titanium-vanadium project in Greenland and the Fraser Bay Project in Nunavut. The Company has assembled an experienced management team with a track record of discovery success and a Board of Directors with expertise covering the essential fields of geology, engineering and finance. The Isortoq Project offers a combination of low geological risk with significant upside potential in the high value specialty metal sector.
QA/QC
Disclosure of a scientific or technical nature contained in this release has been reviewed and approved by John Robins, P.Geo (Chairman) who is the Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
Rory O. Moore, Ph.D., President and CEO, West Melville Metals Inc.
For further information about West Melville Metals Inc. or this news release, please visit our website at www.westmelville.com.
West Melville Metals Inc. is a member of the Aurora Mineral Resource Group of companies. For more information please visit www.auroraresource.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain disclosures in this release, in particular regarding the economic potential of the Isortoq Project and the Company's interest therein, constitute forward-looking statements that are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors relating to West Melville's operations as a mineral exploration company that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements, including risks as to the completion of the plans and projects. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Other than as required by applicable securities legislation, West Melville expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.
Contact
West Melville Metals Inc.
Investor Relations
604.646.4527 or Toll Free: 1.888.331.2269
info@westmelville.com
www.westmelville.com