Successful Completion of Bulk Mining Test and Ore Analysis
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept.16, 1998
ATACAMA MINERALS CORP. (''the Company'') is pleased to announce that
a bulk mining test and chemical analysis was recently completed at its Aguas
Blancas project site in northern Chile. The test successfully demonstrated
the efficiency of the continuous mining machines proposed to be used in the
Company's future mining operations.
A total of 46,000 tonnes of ore was mined during the test period and
stockpiled at the plant site. The machine ran at anticipated daily rates
and within the parameters of estimated mining costs.
This bulk ore pile was subjected to extensive chemical analysis with very
encouraging results. Preliminary indications show significantly higher
averages of iodine, sodium sulphate and sodium nitrate as compared to
previous results from a reverse circulation drilling program which is possibly
due to recovery losses from the reverse circulation drilling methodology.
The Company intends to conduct further drilling and analysis over the
next few months. Results consistent with the bulk ore test may allow
for an upgrading of mineral resources, an increase in iodine production
and an acceleration of the potassium nitrate program. Project resources
currently stand at 97.4 million tonnes of iodine ore at 580 ppm and
43.2 million tonnes of sodium sulphate ore at 27 percent.
The following tables compare results of the bulk ore test with reverse
circulation holes drilled in the same area:
RESOURCE REPORT ANALYSIS USING REVERSE CIRCULATION DRILLING
(SURFACE - 1.5 M AVERAGE)
Hole # Iodine (I2) Nitrate (NO3) Sulfate (SO4)
(ppm) (percent) (percent)
Hole # 29 326 .44 20.17
Hole # 30 1758 2.22 25.83
Hole # 31 606 .87 17.68
Average 897 1.18 21.23
COMPOSITE SAMPLES FROM BULK ORE TEST
Sample # Iodine (I2) Nitrate (NO3) Sulfate (SO4)
(ppm) (percent) (percent)
Bulk Sample B 00070 1129 4.68 30.96
Bulk Sample B 06049 1288 3.87 38.12
Bulk Sample A 00004 876 5.70 30.32
Bulk Sample B 00065 952 5.78 30.39
Bulk Sample C 00040 1178 6.19 36.62
Bulk Sample B 00055 865 6.49 29.80
Bulk Sample C 00037 651 5.91 31.72
Bulk Sample B 00063 970 5.57 30.13
Bulk Sample A 00005 711 3.97 31.09
Average 958 5.35 32.13
Increase vs RC Drilling
(percent) 7 353 51
As stated, the bulk ore pile was mined within a three hole area covered
in the Company's previous resource study conducted in 1997. The bulk
sampling method drew composite samples from a total of 1,840 truckloads
of ore. The analysis was further checked and analyzed by size fraction
to establish whether there were any differences in grade in the fines
versus coarser material. The results showed no difference, giving the
Company further confidence that bulk sampling may provide more
representative information than reverse circulation drilling in this area.
Aguas Blancas is a world class deposit of industrial minerals. Atacama
owns 100 percent of the 9,000 hectare concession and upon completion
of project financing, will be constructing a state-of-the-art chemical
manufacturing facility that at full capacity will annually produce
1,000 tonnes of iodine and 300,000 tonnes of sodium sulphate. A
70,000 tonne per year potassium nitrate circuit is currently scheduled
to come on-line in year seven.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Robert S. Cogliandro, President
biz.yahoo.com |
