KELOWNA,
BC, Feb. 9, 2023 /CNW/ - Cantex Mine
Development Corp. (TSXV: CD) (OTCQB: CTXDF) (the "Company") is
pleased to provide an update on the Main Zone at its
100-percent-owned 14,077 hectare North Rackla claim block in the
Yukon.
Dr. Charles Fipke reports
High Germanium Content in Main Zone Sulphides
Cantex is pleased to report that analyses of sphalerite (zinc
sulphide) from its Main Zone mineralization show very high
germanium values. A total of twelve analyses were completed
on samples from four drill holes testing the Main Zone at the
Massive Sulphide project in the Yukon. These results, along
with gallium and indium are presented in the following table.
Table 1. Germanium content in Main Zone
Sphalerite
Hole
|
Depth Down Hole
(metres)
|
Germanium (grams per
tonne)
|
Gallium (grams per
tonne)
|
Indium
(grams per
tonne)
|
|
|
|
|
YKDD18-012
|
103
|
1730
|
0.033
|
0.44
|
|
|
|
103
|
147
|
0.06
|
0.034
|
|
|
|
|
|
YKDD18-013
|
124
|
1160
|
0.084
|
0.016
|
|
|
|
124
|
393
|
0.05
|
0.022
|
|
|
|
|
|
YKDD18-014
|
197
|
315
|
0.041
|
0.002
|
|
|
|
197
|
1450
|
2.03
|
0.15
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
201
|
1110
|
0.106
|
0.039
|
|
|
|
201
|
943
|
0.481
|
1.05
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
202
|
825
|
0.142
|
0.021
|
|
|
|
202
|
862
|
0.235
|
0.013
|
|
|
|
|
|
YKDD18-015
|
131
|
287
|
2.09
|
8.42
|
|
|
|
131
|
323
|
1.46
|
1.08
|
|
|
As seen in the above table the germanium content of sphalerite
in the Main Zone is very high, averaging 795 grams per tonne.
This content is significant when compared to other global sources
of germanium.
Germanium is one of the elements identified as a Critical
Element in both Canada and the
United States. It is a high value metal, currently selling
for US$1.21 per gram (February 08, 2023; Trading Economics;
https://tradingeconomics.com/commodity/germanium). Germanium
is predominantly used in fibre-optic systems, infrared optics,
polymerization catalysts, the highest efficiency solar cells
currently available and high-brightness light-emitting-diodes used
in televisions and vehicle headlights.
Global production in 2021 is estimated at 140 tonnes.
Approximately 60% of this is sourced from sphalerite ores and 40%
is sourced from coal. The vast majority of this (95 tonnes)
is from China while Russia produced an additional 5 tonnes.
The most significant western source of germanium is from the Red
Dog Mine in Alaska whose
sphalerite-rich ore is processed in Teck's smelter in Trail,
BC. The four primary deposits that comprise Red Dog average
between 104 and 249 grams per tonne germanium.
Cantex looks forward to testing for germanium along the strike
length of the Main Zone and also at the nearby GZ Zone.
Analytical Methods
At the CF Mineral Research laboratory in Kelowna, BC pieces of HQ sized (63.5mm
diameter) drill core containing lead-zinc sulphide mineralization
were extracted and mounted in resin. The mounts were then
ground down to expose the rock and polished prior to being carbon
coated.
The mounts were then examined with a Scanning Electron
Microscope employing Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy to identify
sphalerite grains. Two regions of sphalerite on each mount
were then analysed using Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) at the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The
laser spot size was 100nm and NIST 610 and NIST 612 standards were
used. The germanium analyses are accurate to within 10%.
The technical information and results reported here have been
reviewed by Mr. Chad Ulansky
P.Geol., a Qualified Person under National Instrument
43-101, who is responsible for the technical content of this
release.
Signed,
Charles Fipke
Charles Fipke, CM
Chairman
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SOURCE Cantex Mine Development Corp.