| | Published : September 08th, 2009 | Reports Texmont project status |
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1000 -141
Adelaide St. West, Toronto, Ontario,
M5H 3L5
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FLETCHER
NICKEL REPORTS TEXMONT PROJECT STATUS
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Toronto,
Canada, September 8th, 2009 - Fletcher Nickel Inc. (TSX:
FL) reports that the compilation of data from its drilling campaign
at the Texmont Mine has been concluded and modeled and that initial
metallurgical and refining test results have also been received.
Large-tonnage near-surface Nickel resource extends north of
Texmont Mine
The
geological assessment of the data has determined that a potentially
large-tonnage nickel deposit, which may be mineable by open pit, has
been indicated. Mineralization extending north of the Texmont Mine has
been found to continue for about 800 m along strike, increasing the
overall strike length to approximately 1100 m.
"The
I.P. and magnetic geophysical interpretations have been highly
predictable in directing the drilling of the extension of the nickel
mineralization to the north of the historical Texmont deposit" said Vice-President of
Exploration Joerg Kleinboeck, the Company's Qualified Person. "There
are substantial targets to the north and south of the Texmont deposit
that we have identified from the prospecting, mapping, and geophysical
programs completed in 2008 and 2009, that remain to be drill tested.
This work is warranted to test the potential for additional nickel
sulphide mineralization adjacent and along strike of the Texmont
deposit".
Metallurgical testing indicates good recoveries and
concentration
In
support of a future PEA, Fletcher Nickel has also initiated
metallurgical test work at PRA Laboratories in Richmond, BC.
Approximately 60 kg of nine mineral samples were selected from three
drill cores obtained during the 2008 drilling program from each of the
three geological zones (North, Main and South). Due to the early stages
of the exploration program, only one drill-hole sample in each zone was
selected for testing recognizing that such sample size may not be truly
representative of the zone. The following table shows the origin of
each of the nine samples sent for testing:
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Drill Hole
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From (m)
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To (m)
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Interval (m)
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Composite Grade
(%Ni)
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Grade Category
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158.0
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166.0
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8.0
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0.64
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High
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192.0
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197.0
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5.0
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0.47
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Medium
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197.0
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206.0
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9.0
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0.23
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Low
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350.5
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360.0
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10.5
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2.20
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High
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345.0
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350.5
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5.5
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0.63
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Medium
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374.0
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383.0
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9.0
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0.30
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Low
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335.0
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341.0
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6.0
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0.66
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High
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297.5
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305.0
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7.5
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0.44
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Medium
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267.5
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276.5
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9.0
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0.24
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Low
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The
laboratory test program used split drill core that was blended into
three composite samples, which varied by grade from 0.27% to 0.62%
nickel, with similar sulphur values. The primary nickel bearing
sulphide mineral was identified as pentlandite, with the major gangue
consisting of fine-grained serpentine. The test work consisted of three
scoping flotation tests on composited Low Grade (0.27% Ni), Medium
Grade ((0.47% Ni) and High Grade (0.62% Ni). The results of the three
bulk cleaning tests showed that the material upgraded well improving
with the head grade, and producing concentrates in a range of 13% to
21% nickel. The third cleaner concentrate recovered from 38% to 49% Ni,
using open cycle procedures, from the 0.27% to 0.62% nickel head grades
respectively. This recovery would be expected to increase by the
recycling of the stage 2 and 3 cleaner tailings and locked cycle
testing would be required to more accurately estimate an operating
plant recovery. These concentrates also contained elevated magnesium
(primarily as talc), a concern in smelting.
The
results are considered encouraging in that nickel concentration ratios
of 30:1 to 50:1, were achieved. The nickel concentrate grades after
three stages of cleaning ranged from 13% to 21%, with higher concentrate
grades corresponding to higher feed grades. Further test work to
optimize the flotation procedures has been included in a provisional
continuing exploration budget. The potential quantity and grade are
conceptual in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to
define a mineral resource and it is uncertain if further exploration
will result in the target being delineated as a further mineral
resource.
Carbonyl refining test demonstrates concentrate may be refined
to ferro-nickel, cobalt
To
examine a possible alternative to conventional smelting, the
concentrates recovered from the PRA test work underwent a preliminary
carbonylization refining test to determine their suitability for the
production of high purity ferro-nickel and cobalt powders. Chemical
Vapour Metal Refining Limited (CVMR�) of 35 Kenhar Drive, Toronto, www.cvmr.ca,
has provided this technology for a carbonyl refinery in China which is
now in production. This proprietary refining method utilizes the
sulphur in a sulphide nickel concentrate to fuel its roasting which
then, after reduction to metal, enables the concentrate's metals to
form carbonyl compounds which may then be precipitated in highly
purified concentrations by selective distillation. A bench scale
refining test was completed using the concentrates produced from the
PRA Laboratories test work and a report submitted by N. Victor
Emmanuel, P.Eng., of CVMR, titled: Report #1: Nickel and Iron
extraction from ore concentrate, dated August 15th, 2009.
One sample of feed material (150 g) was delivered by PRA to CVMR� in
June 2009. The first step of the test was to roast the material to
remove sulphur and to produce a mixture of metal oxides. Roasting was
done at 1050�C in the static bed and the resulting mixture of metal
oxides was reduced at 650�C with hydrogen followed by carbonylation of
the mixture at 600 psi. The report advised as follows:
"CVMR�
was asked to demonstrate a possibility of extraction of Nickel, Cobalt
and Iron directly from flotation concentrate. Feed material was
provided by Fletcher Nickel and consisted approximately 15% of Nickel,
25% of Iron and 0.6% of Cobalt. Targeted metals were successfully
extracted from the flotation concentrate with high yields without
optimization of extraction parameters. Yields [ ] were 91% for Nickel,
95% for Iron and 78% for Cobalt. Future optimization of parameters
should increase yields of Nickel above 95% and cobalt above 85%. Metal
carbonyls were decomposed into metal powders. This indicated several
product lines that could be used depending on market conditions.
Ferronickel powder (3/5 Ni/Fe) could be produced without separation of
Iron from Nickel. Alternatively, pure Nickel powder will be considered
as a product after separation of Nickel and Iron carbonyls by
distillation. A Process Flow Diagram consisting of 3 steps was proposed
for the process. The first step is comprised of fluid bed roasting of
the flotation concentrate where the produced SO2 will be
directed to an acid plant to produce sulphuric acid. Steps 2 and 3 are
presented in the Figure 2 as integrated reduction and carbonylation
plant. Carbon monoxide and hydrogen will be produced in the gas plant.
Extraction of Nickel and Cobalt directly from flotation concentrate
using the carbonyl process allows avoiding several steps usually used
for production of Nickel. This will minimize CAPEX and OPEX of the
plant and will make it possible to build an efficient smaller scale
plant to produce 2000-4000 tons per annum.."
Baseline studies completed and site rehabilitation report
submitted
The
Company has filed a continuing rehabilitation report following its
Texmont Mine site reclamation and has also completed all necessary
baseline studies for the filing of applications to commence dewatering
of the underground mine workings. "The Texmont Mine itself
produced at a reported average grade of plus or minus 1% Ni and we have
completed some scoping studies which indicate the ore body might be
mined at a rate of up to 2000tpd from the existing shaft,"
said CEO Frank Smeenk.
Joerg
Kleinboeck, Vice President, Exploration, for Fletcher, is the qualified
person within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 that prepared
or supervised the preparation of the information that forms the basis
of the written disclosure in this news release. Mr. Kleinboeck has
verified the data disclose, including sampling, analytical and test
data underlying the information contained in this news release.
Forward Looking Information: This news release contains or refers to
forward-looking information. All information other than statements
of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that
Fletcher Nickel believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in
the future are forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking
statements contained in this news release include statements regarding
potential exploration results and mineralization at Fletcher Nickel's
Texmont Mine property, as a potentially large-tonnage nickel deposit,
which may be mineable by open pit. These forward-looking
statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties beyond
Fletcher Nickel's ability to control or predict that may cause actual
events or results to differ materially from those discussed in such
forward-looking statements, including future exploration results
varying significantly from estimates; exploration results being
insufficiently favourable to support further development of the
property, inability to delineate additional mineral resources or
reserves, results of the metallurgical test work and data analysis
dictating that parameters of a preliminary economic assessment may not
be determined, or fully determined. Any forward-looking statement,
speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be
required by applicable securities laws, Fletcher Nickel disclaims any
intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether
as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although
Fletcher Nickel believes that the assumptions inherent in the
forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements
are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance
should not be placed on these forward-looking statements due to the
inherent uncertainty therein.
-/30-
Direct: (416) 642-3575 (ext: 103)
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Sent By:
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Fletcher Nickel Inc.
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141 Adelaide St. West
Suite 1000
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Toronto ON M5H 3L5
CANADA
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Fletcher Nickel Inc.
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EXPLORATION STAGE |
CODE : FL.TO |
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ProfileMarket IndicatorsVALUE : Projects & res.Press releasesAnnual reportRISK : Asset profileContact Cpy |
Fletcher Nickel is a nickel exploration company based in Canada. Its main exploration properties are TEXMONT and BARTLETT-ENGLISH in Canada. |
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