PolyMet Announces Results of Bio-Leaching
GOLDEN, Colo., June 9 /PRNewswire/ -- PolyMet Mining Corp.
(Vancouver: POM) is pleased to announce it has confirmed that a second
metallurgical process, bio-leaching, is successful in recovering metals from
the bulk sulfide concentrate from its NorthMet Project in northern Minnesota.
The bio-leaching testing by BacTech Metallurgical Solutions Ltd. at their
laboratories in Australia is completed. The final results show base metal
(copper, nickel, cobalt) extractions similar to those of the pressure
oxidation announced on April 27, 1999 (News Release 99-12). The platinum,
palladium, and gold extractions are somewhat lower than the 94% reported for
the pressure oxidation process. Silver extraction is considerably higher with
the bio-leaching than with the pressure oxidation process.
Based on the BacTech test results, the following metal recoveries from the
bulk concentrate are:
Copper Nickel Cobalt Gold Platinum Palladium Silver
97% 94% 92% 89% in progress 78% 38%
BacTech is now making estimates of capital and operating costs for the
bio-leaching process. Once these cost estimates are completed, the Company
will compare the economic merits of the two processes.
A hybrid process of bio-leaching and pressure oxidation also will be
considered and economically evaluated over the next few weeks. There may be
some processing synergies available by using bio-leaching before pressure
oxidation. The Company will consider this possibility and compare it with the
two stand-alone processes once the capital and operating cost estimates are
received in early July. PolyMet expects to make a final decision on the best
processing technology for the NorthMet Project by late July.
For further information, please contact Leslie Landefeld, Investor
Relations, at the Company headquarters in Golden, Colorado at (877) 233-4831.
You may also visit our web site at www.polymetmining.com.
Signed: DONALD W. GENTRY, President & CEO
This news release was prepared by Leslie Landefeld on behalf of PolyMet
Mining Corporation, which is solely responsible for its contents. The
Vancouver Stock Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the information
herein.
SOURCE PolyMet Mining Corp.
-0- 06/09/99
/CONTACT: Leslie Landefeld of PolyMet Mining Corp. Investor Relations,
303-233-4830, 877-233-4831, fax 303-233-4832 |
