Fronteer Reports 87.5% Uranium Recovery From Aurora's Pilot Plant Testing
June 23 2009 - 7:00AM
Marketwired
Aurora Energy Resources, a wholly owned subsidiary of Fronteer
Development Group Inc. (TSX: FRG)(NYSE Amex: FRG), is pleased to
announce that pilot plant leaching and resin-in-pulp ("RIP")
extraction tests on the Michelin and Jacques Lake uranium deposits
in Labrador (the "Michelin Project") provide strong support for the
project's viability and production potential.
Highlights from the pilot plant and bench scale test work
indicate that:
1. The Michelin Project mineralization is predicted to yield an
average uranium recovery of 87.5%.
2. The proposed milling process for the Michelin Project is an
effective method for treating the Michelin Project
mineralization.
3. There will only be a modest consumption of energy and
consumables.
4. The tailings test results meet Canadian environmental
standards.
These metallurgical test results are from one of several
engineering and economic studies Aurora commissioned over the last
18 months and that are now in the final stages of completion. Final
data relating to Aurora's tailings-management options, updated
resource estimate, scoping study and economic benefits analysis
will be reported in the months ahead.
PILOT PLANT TESTING
To test the metallurgical properties of mineralization from the
Michelin and Jacques Lake deposits, Aurora contracted SGS Lakefield
Research Limited to operate a continuous, 444-hour (19 day), pilot
plant study on Michelin and Jacques Lake mineralization at its
Ontario test facility.
The pilot operation included batch grinding, continuous
leaching, RIP extraction of uranium, resin elution, and tailings
neutralization. The leach-RIP circuit operated at a feed rate of
about 2 kg/h and processed approximately 900 kg of mineralization
made up from several hundred individual samples. Michelin
mineralization was used for the bulk of the campaign, with a 70/30
Michelin/Jacques Lake blend comprising the feed for the final four
days of operation.
Overall leach extraction with a 36 hour retention time was 87%
with RIP extraction of uranium from the leached slurry averaging
99.7%. Subsequent analysis of the pilot plant data, and additional
tests, showed that extraction would likely be 89% if retention
times were increased slightly to 48 hours.
When handling Michelin mineralization, sulphuric acid
consumption was 28 kg/t. This increased to 34 kg/t when handling
the Michelin-Jacques Lake blend and was in keeping with
expectations derived from earlier bench scale tests. A mixture of
air and sulphur dioxide (SO2) was successfully used as an
oxidant.
Tailings neutralization was performed continuously using ground
limestone in a first stage then slaked lime to complete the
neutralization reactions. Limestone and lime consumptions were low,
at approximately 30 kg/t and 3 kg/t, respectively. The tailings
solutions were then treated with barium chloride for radium
control.
Standard analyses and tests were performed to ensure that the
tailings treatment processes could meet strict environmental
guidelines. Water fleas (known as daphnia magna) and Rainbow Trout
fingerlings were placed in 100% undiluted treated water. As per
industry standards, treated tailings water is considered acceptable
if more than half the test species in the 100%-undiluted treated
water survive over 96 hours. In the Michelin Pilot Plant test, 100%
of the fish and water fleas lived over the test period, which
indicates the development of a satisfactory treatment process for
excess water.
"Given the high uranium recoveries, modest consumption of energy
and consumables, and excellent tailings test results in the
operation of the pilot plant, we believe the Michelin Project has
taken a major step towards demonstrating production viability,"
says Bruce Dumville, President and CEO, Aurora Energy
Resources.
J.R. Goode, P.Eng., Ontario and Aurora consultant, is the
Qualified Person who has overseen the collection and verification
of the data for this release and has reviewed and approved this
release's content.
ABOUT FRONTEER
Fronteer is an exploration and development company with three
key gold projects in Nevada forming its platform for future gold
production. Fronteer also has a 40% interest in three gold and
copper-gold projects in western Turkey, and 100% ownership of
Aurora Energy Resources, a private subsidiary advancing a
world-class uranium district in Labrador, Canada. For further
information on Fronteer visit www.fronteergroup.com.
Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein,
certain information presented constitutes "forward-looking
statements" within the meaning of the United States Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking
statements, including but not limited to, those with respect to
potential expansion of mineralization, potential size of
mineralized zone, and size of exploration program involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the
actual results, performance or achievement of Fronteer to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Such factors include, among others, risks related to
international operations and joint ventures, the actual results of
current exploration activities, conclusions of economic
evaluations, uncertainty in the estimation of ore reserves and
mineral resources, changes in project parameters as plans continue
to be refined, future prices of uranium, environmental risks and
hazards, increased infrastructure and/or operating costs, labor and
employment matters, and government regulation and permitting
requirements as well as those factors discussed in the section
entitled "Risk Factors" in Fronteer's Annual Information form and
Fronteer's latest Form 40-F on file with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission in Washington, D.C. Although
Fronteer has attempted to identify important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other
factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or
intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove
to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such statements. Fronteer
disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers should not place
undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
NEWS RELEASE 09-21
Contacts: Fronteer Development Group Mark O'Dea, Ph.D, P.Geo
President and CEO 604-632-4677 or Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677 Aurora
Energy Resources Bruce Dumville President and CEO 604-632-4677 or
Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677 Fronteer Development Group Richard Moritz
Director, Investor Relations 604-632-4677 or Toll Free:
1-877-632-4677 Fronteer Development Group Glen Edwards Director,
Communications 604-632-4677 or Toll Free: 1-877-632-4677
info@fronteergroup.com www.fronteergroup.com
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