Continental Nickel Reports High Nickel Recoveries Are Possible at the Sleeping Giant Nickel-Copper Sulphide Zone on the Nachingwea Nickel Project, Tanzania
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 02/09/11 -- Continental Nickel Limited (TSX VENTURE: CNI) ('Continental' or 'CNI' or the 'Company') announced today that it has received the results from an initial mineralogical assessment of the Company's new Sleeping Giant nickel-copper sulphide discovery on the Nachingwea Project in Tanzania, a 75:25 Joint Venture between CNI and IMX Resources Limited ('IMX') of Australia. The study was completed by the Xstrata Process Support Centre ('XPS') in Sudbury, Ontario and has estimated that a nickel recovery of up to 88% is possible using conventional flotation concentration mineral processing. This compares favourably with nickel recoveries at some of the best mining and milling operations in the industry. For example, recoveries at the Xstrata owned Strathcona operation in Sudbury, Ontario and the Raglan operation in Quebec have been reported to be 82% and 86%, respectively (Canadian Mining Journal 2008 Mining Source Book).
Field activities from the Company's 2010 exploration program were completed in December 2010 and were highlighted by the discovery of the new Sleeping Giant nickel-copper sulphide zone with drill intersections up to 2.58% nickel and 0.41% copper over 23.3 metres (Press Release December 13, 2010).
An initial mineral characterization study of samples from the newly discovered Sleeping Giant zone as well as samples from the G zone at Ntaka Hill was completed by XPS. A total of twenty (20) core samples that represent a range of nickel grades from both mineralized zones were examined using Quantitative Evaluation of Materials by Scanning Electron Microscope ('QEMSCAN') and Electron Probe Microanalysis ('EPMA'). This study followed on from a previous study by XPS of samples from five mineralized zones (H, J, L, M and NAD013) at Ntaka Hill completed in 2009 (Press Release July 15, 2009).
The objectives of the study were to quantify modal analysis, grain size and grain size distributions, mineral associations, nickel, copper and cobalt deportments as well as composition of sulphide and non-sulphide mineral species. Of particular interest is the analysis of nickel deportment which allows for an estimate of possible nickel recovery.
The key findings of the study include:
-- Sulphide mineralization consists of massive, net-textured and
disseminated sulphides at G zone and disseminated to blebby sulphides at
Sleeping Giant with pentlandite being the dominant nickel sulphide
bearing mineral.
-- An evaluation of nickel deportment indicates that the majority of nickel
occurs in pentlandite which suggests that high nickel recoveries are
possible under conventional flotation concentration mineral processing.
-- The grain sizes of pentlandite in the two zones studied were found to
average between 105 to 115 microns, similar to nickel sulphide deposits
in other parts of the world, and should liberate well with an
appropriate grinding strategy.
-- A calculation of the recovery of nickel to a concentrate in a
conventional flotation concentrator or mill is estimated at 88.0% for
Sleeping Giant and 79.6% for G zone. The high results at Sleeping Giant
are similar to the estimates from the 2009 study of the H, L, J, M and
NAD013 zones and compare favourably to some of the industry's best
performing existing operations such as at Strathcona in Sudbury, Ontario
and Raglan in Quebec where reported operational recoveries were 82% and
86% for nickel respectively in 2008. (The estimated recoveries are
calculated based on the measured nickel composition of the various
sulphide and silicate mineral species and assuming a 92% recovery of
pentlandite, 50% of pyrite and 20% of pyrrhotite at the milling stage.
The recoveries above are estimates only. A flotation testing program on
representative samples is required to confirm recoveries as well as
concentrate grades).
-- Pyrrhotite : pentlandite ratios, which provide process engineers with an
indication of the amenability of upgrading the mineralization to a metal
concentrate, were determined and compared to other typical nickel
sulphide deposits. Zone G was found to be at the high end of the range,
while the ratio for the Sleeping Giant Zone is very low and similar to
the results from the 2009 study for the other zones at Ntaka Hill. A low
ratio indicates that pyrrhotite dilution into a nickel concentrate is
expected to be low and may allow processing to achieve a higher grade of
concentrate.
Craig MacDougall, President & CEO of Continental Nickel Limited, said 'The results of the mineral characterization program at the new Sleeping Giant sulphide zone are very encouraging. They continue to indicate that the bulk of the nickel-copper sulphide mineralization in the Ntaka Hill area displays highly favourable metallurgical characteristics that should be amenable to conventional grinding and flotation concentration mineral processing. The estimated recovery of nickel is high and is comparable to some of the best nickel operations in the industry. The completion of this characterization work is an important step in preparation for a more comprehensive metallurgical testing program.'
Next Steps
Data compilation and design of 2011 exploration program is currently in progress and is expected to be submitted to the exploration partners for approval in February.
A revised Mineral Resource estimate for the Ntaka Hill area, including the new Sleeping Giant discovery, is currently in progress. Current NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resources at Ntaka Hill (Measured and Indicated) total 3.1 million tonnes grading 1.31% nickel and 0.24% copper at a US$23/tonne Net Smelter Return cut-off (Press Release July 15, 2009). The study is being updated by Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. of Toronto and the results are expected in February.
Qualified Persons
Expert services relating to the Mineral Characterization study were provided by the Xstrata Process Support Centre in Sudbury, Ontario under the supervision of Ms. Lori Kormos, P. Geo., Chief Geoscientist with XPS.
The quality control, technical information and all aspects of the exploration program are supervised by Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo., Vice President, Exploration for CNI. The information in this release was prepared under the direction of Craig MacDougall, P. Geo., President and CEO for Continental Nickel Limited. Both Ms. Tirschmann and Mr. MacDougall are qualified persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101.
About Continental Nickel
Continental Nickel Limited is focused on the exploration, discovery and development of nickel sulphide deposits in geologically prospective, but under-explored regions globally. The Company's key asset is its 75% interest in the Nachingwea project in Tanzania, where NI 43-101 Mineral Resources have defined 40,000 tonnes of contained nickel. A revised Mineral Resource Estimate incorporating the diamond drill results from the 2010 exploration program is currently in progress.
The Company also has an option joint venture on the St. Stephen project in New Brunswick, Canada where it has discovered new Ni-Cu sulphide zones from the 2010 diamond drill program.
Continental Nickel Limited has 38,943,664 shares issued and outstanding (46,211,514 on a fully-diluted basis) and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol CNI. The Company remains well-funded with over C$9.0 million in the treasury.
On behalf of Continental Nickel Limited
Craig MacDougall, President & Chief Executive Officer
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT: This News Release includes certain 'forward-looking statements'. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, potential or estimated recoveries, resources and reserves, exploration results, future plans and objectives of Continental Nickel Limited, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Continental Nickel Limited's expectations are the risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Continental Nickel Limited with securities regulators.
Information relating to the Mineral Characterization Study was compiled and supervised by Ms. Lori Kormos who is the Chief Geoscientist at Xstrata Process Support Center in Sudbury, Ontario Canada. Information relating to exploration results is based on data collected under the supervision of or compiled by Patricia Tirschmann, P. Geo., who holds the position of Vice President, Exploration and is a full time employee of Continental Nickel Limited. Ms. Kormos and Ms. Tirschmann are both registered members of the association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario, and each have sufficient relevant experience to qualify as a Competent Person under the 2004 Edition of the Australasian Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Ms. Kormos and Ms. Tirschmann both consent to the inclusion of the data in the form and context in which it appears.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Contacts:
Continental Nickel Limited
Craig MacDougall, P. Geo.
President and CEO
(905) 815-0533
(905) 815-0532 (FAX)
info@continentalnickel.com
www.continentalnickel.com
Marguerite Manshreck-Head
Investor Relations
(613) 395-4487