DNI extracts metals from its Alberta polymetallic shales using CO2 as leaching agent
March 19 2012 - 3:11AM
PR Newswire (Canada)
DNI METALS INC. TORONTO, March 19, 2012 /CNW/ - DNI Metals Inc. is
pleased to announce encouraging preliminary results from its
ongoing R&D work testing extraction (leaching) of metals from
its Alberta polymetallic black shales using CO(2 )as a leaching
agent. DNI carried out a series of batch reaction experiments in
2010 to assess the CO(2) uptake potential of its Alberta
polymetallic black shales. The tests were conducted by Alberta
Innovates Technology Futures (AITF - formerly the Alberta Research
Council). The experiments were intended to collect baseline data
relating to CO(2)-shale chemical interaction from a series of tests
which essentially entailed sparging (bubbling) of CO(2) through
samples of DNI's polymetallic black shale in a dilute electrolyte.
An incidental discovery of this work was that metals contained in
the black shale are partly solubilized (extracted from the shale)
by the mild acidic conditions created by addition of CO(2) to the
shale. Further tests conducted in 2011-2012 focused on assessing
the potential of relying on CO(2) as a pretreatment to bioleaching
which has to date been the principal process being assessed by DNI
for extraction of metals from its Alberta polymetallic black
shales. Samples were tested over a 192 hour period, consisting of
an initial 96 hours of equilibration with the mild electrolyte and
subsequent 96 hours of CO(2) sparging. Of 54 elements monitored,
metal recovery was assessed for 11 elements (As, Co, Cd, Li, Mo,
Ni, Sb, Se, U, V and Zn). While, as expected, metals recoveries
reported by the CO(2) sparging tests are lower than those reported
from DNI's bioleaching testwork (previously announced), the current
experiments demonstrate that CO(2) can be used to leach metals from
the black shales, supporting a proposal that leaching with CO(2)
offers previously unrecognized possibilities as a pretreatment
during bioleaching to reduce reagent consumption. Metal recoveries
reported by the CO(2) sparging tests ranged 0.1% to 10.5% as
follows: Mo-9.8%, Ni-3.3%, U-10.5%, V-0.1%, Zn-0.3%, Co-2.3%,
Cd-0.8%, Li-5.7%. The tests suggest that lower metal recoveries
documented during the CO(2) sparging are likely due to the mild
acidic pH conditions generated by the CO(2) (pH ~5.6) compared to
higher acidities (pH ~1.6-2) typifying bioleaching testwork. It is
of particular note that initial equilibration of shale samples in
the mild electrolyte resulted in partial dissolution and recovery
of metals (except Cd,V,Zn), an observation which is consistent with
proposals from other testwork unrelated to the CO(2) tests that the
metals in the shale are not hosted within other minerals but rather
occur as readily extractable charged ions adsorbed on clays in the
shale (see DNI press Jan16/2012). In a statement, Mr.S.Sabag, DNI's
president & CEO, commented: "…the possibility of relying on
CO(2) as a partial leaching agent is an entirely new development
and an exciting CO(2) consumption sidebar to an otherwise metal
mining story which might benefit adjacent oil sands operations by
providing a practical use for CO(2) emitted and captured from oil
sands processing. This new development is synergistic with
Provincial and industry led carbon capture and sequestration
initiatives in the region". DNI plans to broaden the above testwork
per recommendations of the above study to expand on current
findings. Considerable additional data are also on hand from the
tests which might enable calculation of percentages of REE and
Specialty Metals also extracted during the CO(2) sparging testwork.
Additional results will be announced at a later date once the data
have been processed. DNI also announces that it has retained the
services of Mr.Dean Nawata, in the capacity of corporate
development consultant, to introduce its projects to strategic
institutional groups. Mr.Nawata has over eighteen years of public
market experience, nine of which as a licensed stockbroker focusing
on financing of junior mining and oil/gas projects with Nesbitt
Burns, Research Capital and, most recently, Raymond James (formerly
Goepel McDermid). Mr.Nawata has also worked for several TSX and
TSX:V listed companies in project procurement, corporate
development and financing. The retainer arrangement is for a six
month period which may be extended thereafter by mutual consent,
and entails payment of a $5,000 monthly fee in addition to
grant of stock options for the purchase of up to 100,000 shares of
DNI at 55 cents per share until February 9, 2017. The options will
vest in stages over twelve months with no more than one quarter
vesting in any three month period, and upon termination of the
retainer may be exercised in whole or in part during a period
commencing on the earlier of the date of such termination and
ending thirty days thereafter, or on the expiry date. The
Qualified Person in connection with this press release is S.F.Sabag
P.Geo, DNI's president and CEO, who has reviewed analytical results
and is responsible for preparation of this press release. See
Alberta Mineral Assessment Report MIN20100017 for an overview of
sparging test procedures. CO(2) sparging tests carried out by AITF
on a subsample from composite drill core intercept of the Second
White Speckled black shale in DNI hole 11BK1 from the Buckton
inferred resource. Analytical work carried out by Actlabs,
Ancaster, Ontario, by ICP-MS, ICP-MS(HYDRGEO), and ICP-OES. 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: 67,263,355 We
seek Safe Harbour. This announcement includes forward looking
statements. While these statements represent DNI's best current
judgment, they are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to vary, including risk factors listed in
DNI's Annual Information Form and its MD&As, all of which are
available from SEDAR and on its website. DNI Metals Inc. CONTACT:
DNI Metals Inc. - Shahe Sabag, President & CEO (416-595-1195)
orDenisClement, Chairman (416-364-1909) email ir@dnimetals.com.
Alsovisit www.dnimetals.com.
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