El Nino Releases Phase 1 Metallurgical Results for the Murray Brook Base Metal Deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick
January 16 2013 - 9:11AM
OTC Markets
El Nino Ventures Inc. ("ELN" and
the "Company") (TSX.V: ELN; OTCQX: ELNOF Frankfurt: E7Q) is pleased
to announce the results from Phase 1 metallurgical testwork
commissioned by its partner, Votorantim Metals Canada Inc.
(Votorantim), on samples from the Murray Brook polymetallic
deposit, located in the Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. The
purpose of the testwork was to investigate flotation options for
sequential recovery of copper, lead and zinc concentrates from
Murray Brook feed.
The metallurgical testwork was completed at RPC Science &
Engineering Laboratories (RPC) in Fredericton (New Brunswick),
under the direction of metallurgists Ross Gilders and Leo Cheung.
Further information on RPC may be found at the laboratories'
website at http://www.rpc.ca
Results
Testwork was completed on bulk drill core samples from the Eastern
Zone and from the Western Zone of the Murray Brook deposit (Figure
1; Table 1). The test program consisted of sample preparation and
compositing, characterization, and batch flotation tests followed
by locked cycle tests on a composite sample. The composite sample
head grade for the testwork is similar to the grade of the current
high confidence Measured resources for Murray Brook.
Locked cycle tests by RPC successfully produced individual copper,
lead and zinc concentrates with the following recoveries and grades
(Table 2):
- Recoveries of 51.4% copper, 1.7% zinc, 4.5% lead, and 12.5 %
silver in a copper concentrate grading 17.5%
copper, 6.0% zinc, 6.2% lead, and 591 g/t silver;
- Recoveries of 36.6% lead, 7.2% copper, 1.4% zinc, and 17.5%
silver in a lead concentrate grading 50.3% lead,
2.4% copper, 5.3% zinc, and 833 g/t silver; and
- Recoveries of 88.8% zinc, 15.8% copper, 8.3% lead and 25.3%
silver in a zinc concentrate grading 53.8% zinc,
0.5% copper, 1.1% lead, 95 g/t silver.
A copy of the report is available for viewing on the
Company's website. Additional
metallurgical work has been commissioned by Votorantim and RPC,
which involves completing expanded and extended locked cycle tests
to optimize copper, lead and precious metal recoveries in support
of a planned Preliminary Economic Assessment in 2013.
Harry Barr, Chairman & CEO states: "The results of the Phase 1
metallurgical testwork on Murray Brook are encouraging,
particularly the 89% zinc recovery combined with good silver
recovery. These initial metallurgical results plus the results of
18,500 metres of drilling completed since 2011 and the resource
estimation of February 2012, confirm the robustness of Murray Brook
as this well-located project is steadily advancing towards the
planned completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in H1
2013."
Sampling
The sample materials were derived from three HQ size drill cores
(Table 1). Hole MB-2012-121 was drilled in the Eastern Zone, the
shallower and more copper-rich of the two massive sulfide zones at
Murray Brook. Holes MB-2012-124 and MB-2012-132 were drilled in the
deeper, more zinc-lead-precious metal rich Western Zone.
(Description and assay results for each of the three holes are
provided in ELN press releases dated July 30, August 14, August 28,
2012). The drill core was logged, split, sampled and shipped to
RPC. Intervals of potential secondary mineralization and fracturing
were sampled separately. In total 3226 kg of material was delivered
to RPC for testwork.
Figure 1. Massive Sulfide Thickness, 10 metre
contours: Colour contour map of Murray Brook showing the
location of the Eastern Zone and the Western Zone plus the surface
trace of the massive sulfides. Metallurgical hole MB-2012-121 was
drilled in the Eastern Zone. Metallurgical holes MB-2012-124 and
-132 were drilled in the Western Zone.
Table 1.Drill Core Sample Material
for the metallurgical Testwork on Murray Brook
*Grade of current Measured and Measured + Indicated resources (see
Technical Report on www.elnventures.com)
Table 2.Assay and Recovery Results of Locked Cycle Tests for Murray
Brook
Grindability Tests
Composite samples for each of the three Murray Brook drill holes
were submitted for grindability test work. Rod Mill Grindability
Indices for the Murray Brook bulk sample materials averaged 14.6
kWh/t with a hardness percentile of 55%. Bond Ball Mill
Grindability Indices averaged 10.7 kWh/t with a hardness percentile
of 10%. These data suggest that Murray Brook mineralization is of
moderate hardness for a rod mill and lower hardness for a ball
mill.
Mineralogy
SEM-EDS mineralogical studies of the overall composite sample and
each individual drill core by RPC indicate that sphalerite and
galena occur as interstitial grains, inclusions, veinlets and
attachments to pyrite. Chalcopyrite occurs as interstitial grains
to pyrite. Chalcopyrite is less common hole MB-2012-132, consistent
with the lower copper grades in the Western Zone. Covellite is
present in MB-2012-124. Generally, the principal silver mineral is
tetrahedrite. The sulfide grains are mainly <20 µm in size.
However, sphalerite grains 50-100 µm in size are present
interstitial to pyrite grains.
Flotation
Primary bulk sulfide rougher floats were carried out to estimate
flotation performance. The reagent regime included 400 g/t CuSO4,
pH 10.0-10.5, 33.3 g/t 3418A, 10g/t PAX, 15 g/t MIBC and 11 minutes
total at 1250 rpm. Rougher target liberation grind size was
established to be D80 of ~30 µm. Initial testwork found that
flotation performance was adversely affected by the presence of
secondary (oxidized) material. This latter material therefore was
excluded from the overall composite sample used in locked cycle
testing.
Next Steps
Additional metallurgical testwork is planned to be carried out by
RPC in early 2013. The results will be reported in a planned
Preliminary Economic Assessment to be completed in Q1 2013. The
additional testwork will focus on optimizing copper, lead and
precious metal recoveries, in part through processing of larger
samples in bigger equipment. An expanded metallurgical test
program, including pilot plant testing, may be warranted if PEA
studies are positive.
Qualified Persons Statement
This news release has been reviewed and approved for technical
content by Ali Hassanalizadeh M.Sc. P.Geo.,
a qualified Person under the provisions of National Instrument
43‐101.
About El Niño Ventures Inc. Bathurst Projects
El Niño Ventures Inc. has two active projects in the Bathurst
Mining Camp;
- Murray Brook Project
The Murray Brook project is a polymetallic, massive sulfide
deposit and is the fifth largest deposit discovered to date in the
Bathurst Mining Camp, New Brunswick. The Murray Brook property is
located 60 km west of Bathurst. It is supported by excellent
infrastructure, including paved roads, grid electricity and
communities to provide goods, services and skilled labour.
A $3 million exploration budget was approved for the 2012
exploration program. It included $2.5 million for drilling to bring
resources into the measured category at the Murray Brook deposit
and $500,000 for exploration of the Murray Brook and Camel Back
properties, both of which are covered by the option agreement with
Murray Brook Minerals. To date, more than 28,000 metres of drilling
has been completed with encouraging results. In February 2012, an
NI43-101 compliant resource estimation was announced (see news
release). The technical report is filed on SEDAR.com and also
available on ELN's website. An updated NI43‐101 mineral resource
estimation and metallurgical test results are slated for completion
in the first quarter of 2013. Results of these will be incorporated
in a Preliminary Economic Assessment "PEA" that is slated for
completion in the first quarter of 2013.
ELN and VMC currently own 70% of the project, of which 35% is
held by each of the two parties. Under a purchase agreement signed
by VMC on August 28, 2012 with MBM and Murray Brook Resources Inc.
(collectively the owners), VMC acquired the right to purchase the
additional 30% of the Murray Brook Project from the owners. ELN has
been provided the option to purchase an additional 15% in the
project for a combined total of 50% (35% +15%).
Although the terms of the Participation Agreement provided for a
three-year period to earn the initial 50% and two years to earn the
additional 20%, ELN and VMC completed their earn-in in less than 18
months.
- Bathurst Option Joint Venture Project (BOJV)
Consists of an initial 4,712 claims in the Tri‐Party Agreement
with Xstrata & VM Canada whereby VM Canada may incur
exploration expenditures of $10 million over a period of 5 years to
earn a 50% interest. VM Canada may further increase its interest to
70% by spending an additional $10 million over 2 years.
Votorantim Metals Canada Inc. Statement
Technical details in this news release were provided by Votorantim
whose professional geologists conduct operations consistent with
mineral industry best practices. Votorantim accepts no
responsibility for this news release.
About Votorantim Metals Canada
Votorantim Metals Canada Inc. is a subsidiary of Votorantim Metais,
a company that is part of the Votorantim Group that was founded in
Brazil in 1918. The Votorantim Group operates in twenty countries
and has over 40,000 employees. Votorantim Metais is the largest
electrolytic nickel producer in Latin America and one of the
world's leaders in the production of zinc, aluminum and nickel.
Votorantim Canada Metals Inc. in conjunction with Xstrata Zinc and
El Nino Ventures is operator of the Bathurst Option and Joint
Venture which is actively exploring for base metal deposits within
the Bathurst Mining Camp.
About El Nino Ventures Inc.
El Niño Ventures Inc. is an international exploration company,
focused on exploring for lead, zinc, copper, gold and silver in New
Brunswick, Canada and copper in the Democratic Republic of Congo
("DRC").
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
"Harry Barr"
Harry Barr
Chairman & CEO
El Nino Ventures Inc.
Further Information: Tel: +1 604 685
1870 Fax: +1 604 685 8045
Email: info@elninoventures.com or visit www.elninoventures.com
650-555 West 12th Avenue, City Square, West Tower, Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada, V5Z 3X7
Neither the TSX Venture
Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts
responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements. Note: This
release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual
future events or results and are based on current expectations or
beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be
deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition,
forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company
uses words such as "continue", "efforts", "expect", "believe",
"anticipate", "confident", "intend", "strategy", "plan", "will",
"estimate", "project", "goal", "target", "prospects", "optimistic"
or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve
risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially
depending on a variety of important factors, including, among
others, the Company's ability and continuation of efforts to timely
and completely make available adequate current public information,
additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and
restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be
discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR
(www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify
important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ
from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company
does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts'
expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to
any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated
events. Investors should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements.
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