Dumont reports progress from initial leaching testwork from its Alberta
polymetallic black shale projects
(DNI : TSX-Ven, DG7 :
As previously announced, Dumont initiated a number of studies in late 2009 to evaluate recovery of metals from its polymetallic black shales via bioleaching and other leaching methods. The studies include considerable baseline testwork to evaluate suitability of the shales to bioleaching, to establish their metallic mineralogy, to assess their suitability to other leaching methods, and to ultimately establish recoveries for the various metals of interest in the shales.
Work completed to date has been very encouraging and has successfully demonstrated: (i) that bioleaching bio-organisms exist within the shales which are native to the shales and can be successfully cultured and adapted to consume solids (sulfides); (ii) that several of the metals previously only identified by bulk assaying occur in conventional sulfide or native metallic forms and would be available to leaching solvents; (iii) that inorganic leaching tests, intended to partly simulate bioleaching, successfully leached many metals and rare-earth elements from the shale from preliminary simple sulfuric acid leaching tests including Mo-Ni-V-U-Cu-Zn-Co-Cd-Ag.
In addition, the foregoing leaching work also reported co-product Lithium recovered from the shale, which had previously been overlooked by prior historic work. This is an unexpected development, and offers an added metal of value to the group of metals of interest which Dumont has been targeting. Dumont has, accordingly, modified its testwork protocols to also closely monitor Lithium in all of its analytical programs in progress.
The collective progress made to date demonstrates that metals can be recovered from the shales via leaching and that bioleaching may be a viable option for their ultimate recovery. Work to follow once the current stage of studies are completed will consist of testwork to commence optimizing and tailoring leaching parameters toward enhancing metals recoveries.
Other testwork is also in progress but has not yet advanced far enough to afford inferences by way of interim summaries. These various tests include R&D testwork to assess CO(2) absorption characteristics of the shales to evaluate their suitability as a carbon sink, and other initial bioleaching testwork to determine optimum recoveries (ie:%) which might be expected for the various metals of interest. This work is progressing as planned and further results will be announced as additional progress milestones are reached. Interim quantitative leaching results, from work completed to date, will also be announced once data verification and checking have been concluded.
Dumont is pleased with the progress it has made through its testwork programs during the past several months, some of which have already been expanded in response to favourable findings. Dumont is in the process of planning its 2010 field work programs to collect additional sample material.
Dumont continues to focus its efforts on its polymetallic black shale Properties in Alberta, and its carried interest in the recent diamond discovery from its Attawapiskat Property, Ontario.
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. DNI - TSX Venture DG7 - Frankfurt Issued: 185,888,010
%SEDAR: 00010711E
For further information: Dumont Nickel Inc. - Shahe Sabag, President & CEO or Denis Clement, Chairman, (416) 595-1195, email [email protected]; Also visit www.dumontnickel.com
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