18th Apr 2011 07:00
Alexander Mining plc
('Alexander' or the 'Company')
Encouraging Preliminary Results from AmmLeach® Amenability Testwork on Rio Cristal's Charlotte Bongará Zinc Oxide Property in Peru
• AmmLeach® amenability testwork on one sample provided from a section of high grade drill core from the Charlotte Bongará zinc oxide property, with a head grade of 19.7% zinc, resulted in favourable levels of zinc dissolution
• Alexander and Rio Cristal are discussing further AmmLeach® amenability testwork on representative samples from Charlotte Bongará
Alexander (listed: AXM-AIM and AXD-TSXV) is pleased to announce that initial AmmLeach® amenability test work conducted by Alexander's wholly owned subsidiary, MetaLeach Limited ('MetaLeach'), in late 2008 for Rio Cristal Resources Corporation ('Rio Cristal', listed : RCZ-TSXV) on its Charlotte Bongará zinc oxide property ('Charlotte Bongará') in Peru produced encouraging results. Alexander and Rio Cristal are now discussing additional AmmLeach® amenability testwork.
For the sample provided from a section of high grade (19.7% zinc) drill core, favourable levels of zinc dissolution using AmmLeach® were achieved. The acid neutralizing capacity (ANC) of the sample was very high, indicating a high carbonate host environment. The high ANC indicates that acid leaching is unlikely to be economic. The leaches were not optimized and it is probable that improvements in leaching recovery will occur with further test work.
Based on the high levels of zinc dissolution, using AmmLeach® could be a viable commercial scale process to use for processing at Charlotte Bongará. The additional AmmLeach® amenability testwork being discussed would be on more representative samples and would include:
• Optimising leaching parameters;
• Measure and optimising reagent consumption;
• Particle size effects on recovery; and
• Evaluating the various options available to produce a final product and measure the impurities in the leach solution.
Martin Rosser, CEO of Alexander, said:
"We are pleased with these initial results, which support the excellent potential for using our AmmLeach® process to treat high grade zinc oxide deposits."
About Rio Cristal Resources Corporation
Rio Cristal Resources is a Canadian corporation focused on the discovery and further development of zinc, copper and gold deposits in Peru. The Company's most advanced exploration project is the 18,000 hectare Bongará zinc claim block located in northern Peru. An initial 4,200m drilling program confirmed that the project is within an important emerging zinc district. In 2011, Rio Cristal began a 6,000m drill campaign in with the objectives of confirming a zinc oxide resource and discovering deeper sulphide zinc ores. Additionally, the Company is exploring methods of treating its zinc oxides so that it may make a production decision quickly and efficiently.
About Alexander Mining plc
Alexander is a mineral processing technology company focused on the commercialisation of its proprietary mineral processing technology.
This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, resource or reserve estimates, anticipated production or results, sales, revenues, costs, "best-efforts" financings or discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are in Company documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements unless required by law. Neither 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.
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Martin Rosser Matt Sutcliffe
Chief Executive Officer Executive Chairman
Mobile: + 44 (0) 7770 865 341 Mobile: +44 (0) 7887 930 758
Alexander Mining plc
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