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Firestone Ventures Completes Positive First Round of
Metallurgical Testwork on Torlon Zinc-Lead Mineralization
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September 17, 2008 - Firestone Ventures Inc. (FV:TSX-V;F5V:FSE) has
successfully completed an initial phase metallurgical testing of the
Torlon Hill zinc-lead project mineralization.
"We are pleased with the initial test results from SGS Lakefield on the
Torlon zinc-lead mineralization and are continuing to work with SGS
Lakefield on additional metallurgical studies. We are also currently
looking at several alternative processing technologies to optimize zinc
extraction," says Lori Walton, President of Firestone Ventures Inc. "As
predicted, the supply gap for zinc decreased in 2008, but the long term
outlook for zinc remains strong and the metallurgical testwork we have
commissioned will significantly advance the development of the Torlon
project."
A composite metallurgical test sample returning an average grade of
11.3% zinc and 3.97% lead was used for the SGS metallurgical testwork.
The mineralized sample responded positively to dense media separation
("DMS") and at a specific gravity of 2.9 it was possible to eliminate
55% of the acid consuming calcium phase in the material with losses of
only 5% of the lead and 8% of the zinc. Flotation testwork produced
zinc and lead recoveries up to 79% and 82%, respectively. The final
lead concentrate grade was in excess of 60% lead. Zinc concentrate
grades ranged from 30-40% and additional work is underway to examine
options for producing an upgraded zinc product. These tests are
preliminary and further optimization of concentrate grades and
recoveries are expected. Consulting firm Watts, Griffis and McOuat
Limited ("WGM") is overseeing the metallurgical testwork in
collaboration with Firestone personnel.
Smithsonite (ZnCO3) is the prevalent zinc mineral at Torlon Hill,
occurring as a replacement to limestone, and resulting in high grade
mineralization locally exceeding 40% zinc. Other non-sulphide zinc
minerals are relatively rare, but minor amounts of a hydrous
zinc-carbonate (hydrozincite) and hydrated zinc-silicate (hemimorphite)
are seen locally in the weathering zone. The lead-carbonate mineral
cerussite is important locally. There is no evidence of deleterious
zinc-clay minerals such as sauconite. Traces of sphalerite have been
found in a sulphide (mostly galena-pyrite) zone at the base of the
deposit. Silver-rich galena veinlets cross-cut the pervasive
zinc-replacement mineralization.
Torlon Hill is an intensely oxidized zinc-lead (plus silver)
mineralized body hosted in Permian dolostone breccia and limestone. The
carbonate unit has been tectonically thrust over a serpentinized
basement sequence at the boundary between the North American Tectonic
Plate and the Caribbean Plate. The "tectonic crush zone" is pervasively
mineralized with thick zones returning in excess of 10% and locally up
to 40% zinc. The tectonic setting of Torlon Hill, near the suture
between the North American tectonic plate and the Caribbean tectonic
plate, is likely the causative factor for mineralization. The area
surrounding Torlon Hill has very high potential for hosting additional
structurally controlled non-sulphide zinc deposits in addition to
conventional Mississippi Valley-Type mineralization.
The zinc-lead (plus silver) mineralization at Torlon Hill is contained
within a shallowly southeast-dipping body measuring approximately 400
metres long, 20 to 100 metres wide and up to 30 metres thick. Previous
high-grade drill intersections include 25 metres of 26.77% zinc, 1.42%
lead, 5.98% silver and 53.3 metres of 9.66% zinc, 1.86% lead and 12.21
g/t silver (see news release dated Oct. 4, 2007). Most mineralization
defined by drilling to date occurs on or near surface. The deposit is
still open to expansion, mainly to the west and south.
In other news, Firestone is pleased to announce that it has signed a
Memorandum of Understanding to acquire 100% interest in certain mineral
properties in Guatemala. The company has begun a detailed due diligence
program on the properties and additional details will be released upon
signing of the Final Agreement.
This news release has been reviewed and approved by J. Cleary, CPG,
Qualified Person, Al Workman, P.Geo., Vice President of Watts, Griffis
and McOuat Limited and D. Koningen, P.Eng. The road-accessible Torlon
Hill project is located 18 kilometres northwest of the city of
Huehuetenango, which is situated on the Pan-American Highway in western
Guatemala.
Firestone Ventures Inc. is Canadian-based resource exploration and
development company. The common shares of the Company are currently
listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (symbol FV) and the Frankfurt Stock
Exchange (symbol F5V). For further information please contact:
Lori Walton, P. Geol., President
Toll Free: 1-888-221-5588
Fax: (780) 428-3476
info@firestoneventures.com
www.firestoneventures.com
Trading Symbol: FV: TSX-V;F5V: FSE
For Investor Relations please call: Contact Financial Inc. at (604)
689-7422 Investors can also visit www.agoracom.com/IR/Firestone or
email questions to FV@agoracom.com.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release
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Copyright (c) 2008 FIRESTONE VENTURES INC. (FV) All rights reserved.
For more information visit our website at
http://www.firestoneventures.com/ or send
mailto:returns@firestoneventures.com
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