VANCOUVER, March 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Kootenay Silver
Inc. (TSXV: KTN) (the "Company" or "Kootenay") is pleased
to report additional leach testing of oxide and sulfide silver
mineralization (the "Phase II Program") has begun on bulk samples
from the Company's La Cigarra silver deposit in Chihuahua State,
Mexico, applying the proprietary
SILVOX Technologies Inc. ("SILVOX") process.
The purpose of the Phase II Program is to determine if silver
mineralization at La Cigarra is amenable to low cost heap leach
processing using the SILVOX process, which could have a
positive impact on potential capital requirements and operating
costs. Previous metallurgical work was focused on silver recovery
through production of a concentrate via conventional floatation.
This work was very positive achieving recoveries up to 88% silver
producing a high grade lead-silver concentrate that graded 34% lead
and 23,000 gpt silver for every tonne of concentrate (see Northair
Silver News Release dated June 29,
2015).
The Phase II Program was initiated based on positive results
from preliminary metallurgical testing of the oxide mineralization
hosted within the La Cigarra deposit that showed a significant
improvement in silver recoveries when using standard leaching with
the SILVOX process, versus industry standard leaching without the
SILVOX process (See Kootenay News Release dated January 2, 2017).
Phase II testing will involve bottle roll testing ("BR testing")
on different crush sizes of ¼ and ¾ inch for oxide material and
initial evaluation on ¼ inch for sulfide material, which was not
previously tested. Metallurgical testing will involve applying
industry standard ("standard") leach testing in addition to
utilizing the SILVOX process to establish differences in
recoveries and optimization.
The metallurgical test work is part of a larger comprehensive
approach to the La Cigarra property aimed at maximizing the
project's near and long-term economic viability through resource
expansion and optimization of the existing silver deposit.
Sampling and QA/QC
All technical information for the La Cigarra exploration program
is obtained and reported under a formal quality assurance and
quality control ("QA/QC") program. Samples are taken under the
direction of qualified geologists and stored in sealed bags.
Samples are delivered by the Company via courier to ALS Minerals
("ALS") in Chihuahua. The samples are dried, crushed and pulverized
with the pulps being sent airfreight for analysis by ALS in
Vancouver B.C. Systematic assaying
of standards is performed for precision and accuracy. Analysis for
silver, zinc, lead and copper and related trace elements was done
by ICP four acid digestion, with gold analysis by 30 gram fire
assay with an AA finish.
Qualified Persons
The Kootenay technical information in this news release has been
prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements
set out in National Instrument 43-101 (Standards of Disclosure for
Mineral Projects) and reviewed on behalf Kootenay by James McDonald, P.Geo, President, CEO &
Director for Kootenay, a Qualified Person.
About SILVOX
Silvox Technologies Inc. is a Canadian private company providing
a proprietary process ("SILVOX") to the mining industry that
enhances silver recoveries by simply augmenting standard heap leach
technology and conventional milling methods. The SILVOX process
requires minimal capital investment and has been confirmed with
certified lab testing and associated fieldwork on several deposits
over the past two years. Test results show additional silver
recoveries of up to 30% with potential attractive profit margins
for increased recovery over processing costs. Successful
introduction of SILVOX could make an economic project more robust
or mean the difference between a sub-economic project and one that
is economically viable.
About Kootenay Silver Inc.
Kootenay Silver Inc. is an exploration company actively
engaged in the discovery and development of mineral projects in the
Sierra Madre Region of Mexico and
in British Columbia, Canada.
Supported by one of the largest portfolios of silver assets in
Mexico, Kootenay continues to
provide its shareholders with significant leverage to silver
prices. The Company remains focused on the expansion of its current
silver resources, new discoveries and the near-term economic
development of two of its priority silver projects located in
prolific mining districts in Sonora, State and Chihuahua, State,
Mexico, respectively.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture
Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of
this release.
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS:
The information in this news release has been prepared as at
March 14, 2017. Certain statements in
this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking
statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the
provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements
can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may",
"will" or similar terms.
Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a
number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable
by Kootenay as of the date of such statements, are inherently
subject to significant business, economic and competitive
uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and
unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from
those expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the
date made. Except as otherwise required by law, Kootenay
expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release
publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect
any change in Kootenay's expectations or any change in events,
conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is
based.
Cautionary Note to US Investors: This news
release may contain information about adjacent properties on which
we have no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that
the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this
type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned
that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of
mineral deposits on our properties. This news release may contain
forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments
regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs,
geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential
mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address
future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks
and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those
currently anticipated in such statements.
This press release uses the terms "Measured", "Indicated",
and "Inferred" resources. United
States investors are advised that while such terms are
recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them.
"Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as
to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility.
It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral
Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian
rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the
basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to
assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral
Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves.
United States investors are also
cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource
is economically or legally mineable.
SOURCE Kootenay Silver Inc.