BacTech Announces NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Snow Lake Gold Residue Stockpile
TORONTO, CANADA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/17/11 -- BacTech Environmental Corporation ('BacTech' or the 'Company'), (CNSX: BAC) today announced the results of a NI 43-101 technical report for the Snow Lake, Manitoba arsenic/gold residue stockpile ('GRS') compiled by Ralph Newson, the independent Qualified Person ('QP') who authored the report.
The technical report outlines a Measured Mineral Resource of 265,000 tonnes grading 9.7 grams per tonne gold and 2.17 grams per tonne silver for the stockpile. In addition, an Indicated Mineral Reserve of 9300 tonnes grading 9.2 grams per tonne gold and 2.15 grams per tonne silver is estimated, as is a further Inferred Mineral Resource of 28,000 tonnes grading 7.0 grams per tonne gold and 2.4 grams per tonne silver. The samples were assayed at Inspectorate Exploration and Mining Services Ltd., in Richmond, B.C., an approved assay facility. The following chart outlines the total ounces for the various resource calculations.
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Tonnes Gold g/t Ounces Silver g/t Ounces
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Measured Resource 265,000 9.7 82,643 2.17 18,488
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Indicated Resource 9,300 9.2 2,750 2.15 642
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Inferred Resource 28,000 7.0 6,300 2.4 2,160
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The author of the technical report recommends that a feasibility study be undertaken using the tonnage and grade estimations reported above to investigate whether or not the Measured Mineral Resource can be raised to a Mineral Reserve. The Company has begun the process of identifying a suitable engineering company to conduct a feasibility study and a decision will be made shortly. In addition a site selection process for the proposed plant has begun in Snow Lake and a decision is also expected shortly.
BacTech proposes to build next summer (2012) at its expense, a bioleach plant to treat and stabilize the contained arsenic in the stockpile as a ferric arsenate while liberating the contained gold for recovery for its own account. Production is slated to begin in the 4th quarter of 2012.
Given the fact that the stockpile has already been concentrated there is no need for a flotation plant, or a crushing and grinding circuit, which substantially reduces the capital costs for the project.
'We have cleared another hurdle with the publishing of the results from the NI 43-101 technical report as it confirms our understanding of the GRS and solidly establishes the value of the project to our company and shareholders. The next hurdle will be delivering a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study on the project, which will begin shortly. I am pleased to say that the Government of Manitoba and the town of Snow Lake have been very helpful getting us to this stage. We are very excited to be building the first bio-leach facility in North America and see it as our template to build other plants in the North American market and beyond to address similar acid mine drainage and arsenic contamination issues' said Ross Orr, President and CEO of BacTech.
This news release was reviewed by N. Ralph Newson, M.Sc., P.Eng., P.Geo., the independent Qualified Person ('QP') who authored the technical report, which is dated July 20, 2011. A copy of the technical report will be filed on SEDAR, and will be available on BacTech's website.
BacTech profile
BacTech Environmental holds the exclusive, royalty-free rights to use the patented BACOX bioleaching technology for the reclamation of tailings and mining waste materials. On April 25, BacTech was awarded a contract by the Mines Branch of the Manitoba Department of Innovation, Energy and Mines, to remediate an arsenopyrite gold stockpile situated at the Snow Lake Mine in Snow Lake, Manitoba. This is the Company's first project since the Plan of Arrangement was completed on December 2, 2010. On June 2, BacTech signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Teamwork of Chihuahua, Mexico, to investigate the use of bioleaching to reclaim some 1 million tonnes of tailings located at the Avalos Smelter in the city of Chihuahua.
Shares outstanding 38,128,361
Forward Looking Statement:
Some of the statements contained herein may be forward-looking statement, which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Without limitation, statements regarding future plans and objectives of the Company (including statements relating to future drill results) are forward-looking statements that involve various degrees of risk. It is important to note that the Company's actual results could differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements.
The Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX) has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of the contents of this release.
Contacts:
BacTech Environmental Corporation
Ross Orr
President & CEO
416-813-0303 ext 222
info@bactechgreen.com
