Elemental Minerals Limited - The Company is pleased to announce the start of its Phase 2 high resolution 2D seismic survey and the receipt of metallurgical results which confirm the high quality of the Sintoukola sylvinite mineralisation
PERTH, Australia, Aug. 25, 2011 /CNW/ --
HIGHLIGHTS:
-- The company has mobilised and commenced the Phase 2, 140 line
kilometre, high resolution 2D seismic survey which is a key
component of the Phase 2 Exploration Programme. The
exploration activities are being completed with the aim to
increase the size of the Sintoukola deposit as well as allow
updating and upgrading of the existing sylvinite Mineral
Resource.
-- Initial metallurgical test work has highlighted the quality of
the sylvinite mineralisation and demonstrated the potential for
a relatively simple, low cost processing circuit with higher
than anticipated KCl recovery.
-- Pre-feasibility trade off studies completed and evaluation of
results under review.
-- High resolution airborne topographic survey commissioned to
commence in September 2011.
PERTH, Australia, Aug. 25, 2011 /CNW/ -
EXPLORATION
Elemental Minerals Limited, TSX: ELM, ASX: ELM, ('Elemental') has
mobilised and started the 140 line kilometre high resolution 2D seismic
survey for the Sintoukola potash project located in the Republic of
Congo (Fig.1). Two Enviro-Vibs and associated equipment were airlifted
from Johannesburg, South Africa arriving at the Pointe Noire
international airport on the 19(th) August 2011 and transported by road to the Sintoukola Project site on
the 20(th) August 2011 and initial test work is under way.
This 60 day seismic survey programme being conducted by GAP Geophysics
is planned for completion by the end of October 2011. The survey will
allow for high definition 2D seismic data to be collected over the Kola
deposit that will provide high resolution subsurface geology and
structural data for to allow detailed ore body modelling and mine
planning.
PRE-FEASIBILITY STUDY UPDATE
Trade-off studies have been completed and evaluation of results is under
review. These studies include plant location, rail, road and conveyor
transport options, power supply, brine water transfer and disposal,
hydropower potential, port facility, mining method, mine sizing and
product specification. The final stage of the PFS will start in early
September to assess the identified project alternatives within the
context of the social and environmental requirements relevant to the
Sintoukola Project.
The initial metallurgical test work programme has been completed at the
Saskatchewan Research Council. AMEC Americas have reviewed the results
and have confirmed the quality of the sylvinite mineralisation and
suggest that it will allow consideration of a relatively simple, low
cost flotation circuit that is expected to will yield significantly
higher metallurgical recovery than is currently modelled. The composite
sample tested is clean containing less than 1% insoluble material with
KCL losses during desliming between 1% and 4%. Overall KCl recovery
from combined rougher/scavenger flotation is good at 90-94%. The
results translate well to a conventional flotation plant utilizing
crushing and rougher flotation with regrind and scavenger flotation.
These results confirm that the mineralisation is of good quality and
reacts easily to flotation which will require a simple flow sheet.
In preparation for final plant and infrastructure design an aerial LIDAR
(light detection and ranging) survey has been commissioned and will
start early in September 2011. This will allow for the delivery of an
extremely high resolution topographical model of the mine site and
infrastructure corridors to be developed in support of engineering and
construction activities.
Elemental CEO, Iain Macpherson, commented:
'Progress in the field programmes and the engineering studies in support
of the DFS is very encouraging and confirms the Company's strategy of
developing a sylvinite mine based on the Mineral Resources at the Kola
deposit. The commencement of the high resolution, Phase 2 seismic
survey is a significant milestone both in terms of assisting with the
delivery of an updated sylvinite Mineral Resource for mine planning
purposes and also in the completion of the Phase 2 exploration
programme that is planned to significantly increase the Mineral
Resources at the Kola sylvinite deposit. Elemental is on track to
deliver the DFS as scheduled in Q1, 2013 and initial results have
exceeded expectations in terms of the quality of the mineralisation and
the associated economic and technical benefits to the viability of the
project.'
Further information respecting the Sintoukola potash project is
contained in the technical report entitled ''NI 43-101 Technical
Report, Sintoukola Potash Project, Republic of Congo'' prepared by Mr.
Neal Rigby of SRK Consulting (U.S.), Inc. and Messrs. Simon Dorling,
Jeff Elliott, Andrew Scogings and Peter Davies of CSA Global Pty Ltd.,
dated August 1, 2011 with an effective date of June 10, 2011. The
technical report is available for review at Elemental's profile on
SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
Competent Person Statement:
Information in this report that relates to Exploration Results or
Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Dr Simon Dorling
and Mr Jeff Elliott, of CSA Global Pty Ltd, the company's geological
consultants. Dr Simon Dorling and Mr Jeff Elliott are members of the
Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG) and have sufficient
experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity which they are
undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004
Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (the JORC Code). Dr Simon Dorling
and Mr Jeff Elliott are also Qualified Persons for the purposes of
Canadian National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) and they consent to the
inclusion in this report of the Information, in the form and context in
which it appears.
Forward-Looking Statements:
This press release contains statements that are 'forward-looking'.
Generally, the words 'expect,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'will' and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. Since forward-looking
statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature,
such statements are subject to known and unknown risks and
uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in
any of our forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of
future performance. Statements in this press release regarding the
Company's business or proposed business, which are not historical
facts, are 'forward looking' statements that involve risks and
uncertainties, such as the Company's future plans, objectives or goals,
including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a
stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements are
based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions
of management made in light of its experience and its perception of
trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other
factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the
circumstances at the date that such statements are made, but which may
prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among
other things: the Company executing its project development plans in
accordance with its budgets and planning; feasibility and other studies
supporting the Company's development plans; the Company being able to
obtain sufficient financing when required and on reasonable terms; the
Company being able to convert existing Mineral Resources into Ore
Reserves; the Company obtaining required licenses and approvals in a
timely manner; applicable environmental and other laws and other
regulations not being amended; key management continuing to serve in
their respective roles with the Company; title to the Sintoukola
Project not being challenged; and no adverse changes occurring to the
price of potash that might adversely affect the prospects for
developing and operating the Sintoukola potash project or which might
make it uneconomic to proceed with development. Investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date they are made and are expressly
qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to
applicable securities laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update
or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.
Image with caption: 'Figure 1: Location of Sintoukola Potash Permit and historic drill hole locations. (CNW Group/Elemental Minerals Limited)'. Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20110825_C6219_PHOTO_EN_2498.jpg
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For further information in respect of the Company's activities, please contact:
Mark Jones | Iain Macpherson | John Sanders |
Chairman | Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director |
Tel: 61 (0) 41 9919 250 | Tel: 27 (0) 76 238 4461 | Tel: 27 (0) 82 445 5291 |
Email: markj@elementalminerals.com.au | Email: iain.macpherson@elementalmineralsltd.com | Email: john.sanders@elementalmineralsltd.com |
Management Office: 27 11 469 9140
Company website: www.elementalmineralsltd.com
For further information in respect of the Company's activities, please contact:
Mark Jones | Iain Macpherson | John Sanders |
Chairman | Chief Executive Officer | Executive Director |
Tel: 61 (0) 41 9919 250 | Tel: 27 (0) 76 238 4461 | Tel: 27 (0) 82 445 5291 |
Email: markj@elementalminerals.com.au | Email: iain.macpherson@elementalmineralsltd.com | Email: john.sanders@elementalmineralsltd.com |
Management Office: 27 11 469 9140
Company website: www.elementalmineralsltd.com