Unico,
Inc. Announces Presence of Tellurium at the Deer Trail Mine
Issued Friday February 9, 9:22 am ET
SAN DIEGO, CA--(MARKET WIRE)--Feb. 9, 2009--Unico,
Incorporated (OTC BB: UNCO), a natural resource company in the precious metals
mining sector, today announced that significant levels of tellurium, an
extremely rare element, have been discovered at the company?s wholly owned Deer
Trail Mine in Marysvale, Utah. Tellurium, which
is used in metal alloys and as a semi-conductor, has recently experienced
increased demand in applications including optical discs, memory chips and
solar panels.
The presence of tellurium at the Deer Trail Mine was discovered during
comprehensive analysis of concentrates at the Deer Trail mill and processing
facility. Unico recently announced the production of concentrates at the
Deer Trail mill, and photo galleries showing activities at the facility can be
viewed at the Unico website, www.unicomining.com.
Metallurgical test work is currently being conducted onsite at the Deer Trail
laboratory. Information on the results completed at the site and
additional analysis conducted by independent 3rd party laboratories are
expected to be announced in the coming days. Test work will also be
conducted on methods for the extraction of tellurium directly from the concentrates
for marketing directly to end users.
There were traditionally very few commercial uses identified for tellurium, but
it has primarily been used as an alloying agent with copper, steel or
lead. It is also used in blasting caps and ceramics. Recently
tellurium has been utilized in ever-increasing applications in the electronics
industry, solar cell electric power generation and as a semi-conductor.
World tellurium is almost entirely recovered from copper concentrates during
smelting and refining. The supply of this strategic metal was already in
very tight supply prior to the worldwide economic recession, and the problem
has been further exacerbated by the recent reduction in worldwide copper
production. The value of tellurium has recently ranged in price from $150
to $300 per kilogram, and the current market price is approximately $180 per
kilogram.
?We are pleased with the ongoing work at the Deer Trail Mine, which has
resulted in the discovery of tellurium present in concentrates produced at the
mill site,? commented Mark A. Lopez, chief executive officer of Unico,
Inc. ?As we continue our activities at the Deer Trail Mine, which include
processing at the mill facility and preparations for future underground mining
activities at the site, we will also explore all available commercial
opportunities for the tellurium discovered
there.?
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About Unico, Inc.
Unico, Inc. (OTC BB: UNCO) is a publicly traded natural resource company in the
precious metals mining sector that is focused on the exploration, development
and production of gold, silver, lead, zinc, and copper concentrates at its two
mine properties: the Deer Trail Mine and the Silver Bell Mine. The
company has also announced agreements to acquire over 70 additional mining
claims including the Clyde and Crown
Point mining claims. In August 2007, Unico
announced that its wholly owned Deer Trail Mining
Company subsidiary had completed the purchase of the Deer Trail Mine from Crown
Mines, LLC. For more information, please visit
www.unicomining.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended and such Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to vary materially from those projected in the
forward-looking statements. The company may experience significant fluctuations
in operating results due to a number of economic, competitive and other
factors. These factors could cause operation results to vary significantly from
those in prior periods, and those projected in forward-looking statements. Information
with respect to these factors, which could materially affect the company and
its operations, are included on certain forms the company files with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contacts:
Gemini Financial Communications, Inc.
A. Beyer
951-677-8073
investors@unicomining.com
.
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