Patent granted for Zinc Extraction from Ammonia

Alexander Mining plc

('Alexander' or the 'Company')

Patent granted for a Method for Extracting Zinc from Aqueous Ammoniacal Solutions

Alexander is pleased to report that its MetaLeach Limited ("MetaLeach") subsidiary has received the following notifications regarding its patent applications for a Method for Extracting Zinc from Aqueous Ammoniacal Solutions, derived from International Patent Application PCT/AU2009/00168:

·; in Australia, the patent has been granted by the Australian Patent Office; and

·; in the USA, all claims have been allowed by the US Patent and Trade Marks Office and the Company looks forward to the issuing of the patent.

The patent application describes a method for extracting zinc from an aqueous ammoniacal zinc solution containing impurities, the method comprising the steps of:

(i) contacting the aqueous ammoniacal zinc solution containing impurities with an organic phase comprising an ammonium salt of an organic extractant dissolved in a hydrophobic diluent, allowing transfer of the zinc to the organic phase and transfer of ammonium to the aqueous phase, thereby providing a zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic phase and an ammonium-enriched, zinc-depleted aqueous phase containing impurities;

(ii) separating the zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic phase from the ammonium-enriched, zinc-depleted aqueous phase containing impurities;

(iii) contacting the zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic phase with an aqueous solution containing positively charged species, allowing transfer of the zinc from the organic phase and transfer of positively charged species from the aqueous phase, thereby providing an aqueous zinc solution and an organic phase containing a zinc-depleted organic extractant; and

(iv) recovering the zinc from the aqueous zinc solution.

Martin Rosser, Chief Executive Officer, said: "This is a very positive development towards securing protection for one of Metaleach's zinc technologies, which is of major commercial potential for a range of worldwide oxidised or non-sulphide deposits ".

Forward Looking Statements

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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35 Piccadilly

London

W1J 0DW

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7292 1300

Fax: +44 (0) 20 7292 1313

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.alexandermining.com

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