American Manganese EMD/EMM Strategy Review
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 09/25/12 -- Larry W. Reaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer of American Manganese Inc. (TSX VENTURE: AMY)(PINKSHEETS: AMYZF)(FRANKFURT: 2AM) ("American Manganese" or the "Company") is pleased to report that management has been reviewing the option of making Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD) separately or in conjunction with Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM).
The Company engaged Kemetco Research Inc. in April, 2011 to initiate studies on the EMD and Lithium Manganese Oxide for the battery industries. Kemetco has produced both EMD and CMD product and are currently preparing to produce button batteries for testing for the Company and interested parties in the battery industry.
Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide
The recent successful Pilot Plant work generated high purity manganese carbonate which may be used to produce either EMM or EMD.
Electricity consumption for EMD is 20% of the power required for the production of EMM which is a significant reduction in operating cost.
EMD product contains on a per pound basis 60% of the manganese contained in a pound of EMM. Based on two separate operations on a 50,000 tonne per year basis the manganese required to produce 50,000 tonnes of EMD would be 30,000 tonnes of metal as compared to EMM at 50,000 tonnes of metal per year. The effect of EMD production versus EMM production is a significant reduction in the size of the footprint in both plant size and pit production.
The western current average price for EMD is approximately $1.11/lb.
Sales forecasts for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) in the short term remain strong. The medium to long term forecasts indicate higher product adoption rates leading to a growing EV/HEV market share.
Mr. Reaugh says, "The patent pending manganese extraction process we develop is amenable to the production of any combination of electrolytic products: EMD, EMM or both concurrently. Furthermore, depending on the product mix it may possible to decrease the size of the processing facilities thereby reducing the capital cost of the project. Our challenge is to find the product mix that generates the best return for our shareholders. If the EMM market remains sluggish, the production of EMD could present a stronger market opportunity both now and in the future."
About American Manganese Inc.
American Manganese Inc. is a diversified specialty and critical metal Company focusing on potentially becoming a producer of electrolytic manganese metal, electrolytic manganese dioxide and chemical manganese dioxide from its Arizona Manganese Project.
This release has been reviewed by John W. Fisher, P. Eng., a qualified person pursuant to National Instrument 43-101.
On behalf of Management
AMERICAN MANGANESE INC.
Larry W. Reaugh, President and Chief Executive Officer
This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time with the TSX-Venture Exchange, the British Columbia Securities Commission and the US Securities and Exchange Commission.
The TSX-Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
American Manganese Inc.
Larry W. Reaugh
President and Chief Executive Officer
604-531-9639
American Manganese Inc.
Connie Fischer
Investor Relations
604-531-9639 ext. 110
connieir@amymn.com or info@amymn.com
www.americanmanganeseinc.com
