Golden Phoenix Initiates Bulk Sampling at Ashdown; Commences Startup and Testing of Its Molybdenum Mill
Tuesday May 9, 3:10 am ET
- High-Grade Moly Project Prepares to Come On Line -
SPARKS, Nev., May 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: GPXM - News) is pleased to report that on Friday, May 5, its mining crews began removing molybdenum-bearing material from the North Zone of its Nevada-based Ashdown mine in accordance with a 1000-ton bulk sample program permitted by the Bureau of Land Management.
The mineralized material is being transported to the flotation mill, located two miles from the mine, where it is loaded into a two-stage crusher, processed, and conveyed to a fine ore bin as part of the initial commissioning of the mill circuits. The process of testing and tuning the mill, along with ramp-up of bulk sampling and test-production, will continue while full-scale mining permits move through the final stages of regulatory review.
The moly-bearing material is hosted in the North and South Zones of the Sylvia vein structure, a high-grade mineralization potentially ranging from 1%-to-15% elemental molybdenum (Mo). Golden Phoenix is permitted to take 1000 tons of this material in order to test-process and trial-market a molybdenite concentrate, which is used in a variety of industrial, chemical and pharmaceutical applications.
During this period, Jonathan Sprecher, an independent economic geologist, has been directed by Golden Phoenix to perform a multi-stage evaluation of Ashdown's molybdenite resource under the SEC Guide 7 and Canadian NI 43-101. The first section of his analysis, limited to the South Zone, has been completed. It delineates 4,220,240 pounds Mo (2,774,360 measured plus 1,445,880 indicated) along a 950-foot strike, sufficient to feed Ashdown's 100-ton mill for approximately four years.
Mr. Sprecher will next quantify the North Zone, followed by other mineralized areas known to exist along the Sylvia trend. Once compiled, the data will be used to extend known mineralization and expand the current resource base. The final stage of Mr. Sprecher's analysis will define proven and probable mineable reserves.
David A. Caldwell, President of Golden Phoenix, commented, "The start of bulk sampling and test-processing marks a milestone in our Company's restructuring as we transition from development to production. I believe the Ashdown project is slated to become the highest-grade moly producer to come on line in the current bull market cycle. After 18 months of team effort and individual sacrifice, we all look forward to guiding the project through its test phase to final permits and full-scale production over the coming months."
Golden Phoenix Minerals, Inc. is a Nevada-based mining company committed to deliver value to its shareholders by acquiring, developing and mining superior precious and strategic metal deposits in North America using competitive business practices balanced by principles of ethical stewardship. Golden Phoenix owns the Mineral Ridge gold and silver property near Silver Peak, Nevada, and is manager/operator of the Ashdown gold and molybdenum property in Humboldt County, Nevada.
Visit the Golden Phoenix Web site at golden-phoenix.com |
