Aldridge Minerals Inc.
Aldridge reports first results of nickel laterite drill campaign in West Turkey
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. January 10, 2008. Aldridge Minerals Inc. (TSX-V: AGM, Frankfurt: A0CAPB) ("Aldridge") announced today results from its first-round drill campaign on the Company's 100% owned Murat Dag nickel laterite project in western Turkey. The laterites comprise about eight square kilometres.
Aldridge is employing a wide drill grid (200-400 m spaced holes) to understand the basic trends of mineralization on its licenses. Twenty eight of 38 scheduled holes have been drilled with reverse circulation (RC) on this wide grid, and three holes indicate good nickel mineralization, as listed below. Holes D1 and D2 are 300 m apart, roughly in E-W direction, indicating further mineralization potential between and around these holes, and up to 600 m to the south, where no holes could be drilled in this first round.
--------------------------------------------------------------- RC-Hole Interval (m) Thickness Nickel % No. from to (m) --------------------------------------------------------------- D1 28 32 4 1.09 --------------------------------------------------------------- D2
17 21 4 1.45 --------------------------------------------------------------- C2 26 31 5 0.99 --------------------------------------------------------------- Complete results are available on http://www.aldridgeminerals.com/
Due to the sheet-like nature of nickel laterite mineralization, the intersections are thought to represent true thickness. Assaying was performed by ALSChemex (Vancouver).
Aldridge President & Director, Hikmet Akin, said, "These initial results have provided us with insight into the mineralized trend, indicating the best results in grouped array with good potential for expansion. We will be able to prioritize targets for Phase II drilling based on this information and results from the remaining 10 holes."
Nickel laterite projects are becoming increasingly important because they are large and easily minable in open cast. Modern technology potentially allows the production of nickel concentrates via leaching at low cost, such as for the Caldag project in western Turkey operated by European Nickel.
An alternative to leaching, especially in Western Turkey, is shipping the nickel laterite virutally unprocessed to a ferro-nickel plant in eastern Greece, across the Aegean Sea. Representatives of that plant have already contacted Aldridge and visited the company's laterite properties.
Martin S. Oczlon, PhD Geo, a director of Aldridge and Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101, has reviewed and verified the technical content of this press release.
Aldridge Minerals Inc. is wholly focused on mineral opportunities in Turkey where the Company is conducting an ambitious exploration and development program at its flagship Yenipazar polymetallic VMS project. A Preliminary Economic Assessment as well as an updated resource calculation is scheduled for Q2 2008, subject to the eventually determined size of the deposit and progress of respective resource definition drilling. Aldridge has also identified several prospective nickel opportunities in Turkey and has amassed a large property position where a systematic development program has commenced.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
"Hikmet Akin" ------------------------------------ President and a Director
Forward-Looking Statements:
The statements made in this Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations and projections.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.
For further information: Dr. Hikmet Akin, President & CEO, Aldridge Minerals Inc., (604) 737-2743; Martti Kangas, The Equicom Group, (416) 815-0700 x 243
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