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2008 GARNET LAKE BULK SAMPLE DIAMOND RESULTS
ADDITIONAL HIGH-GRADE NIOBIUM-URANIUM RESULTS
Vancouver, BC - HUDSON RESOURCES INC. (“Hudson” or the “Company” – TSX
Venture Exchange “HUD”) is pleased to announce diamond results from the 2008
bulk sampling program at Hudson’s Garnet Lake diamond property and additional
assay results from the Sarfartoq Niobium-Uranium-Tantalum-Rare Earth Element
(REE) Project in Greenland.
Garnet Lake Diamond Project
Hudson continues to recover large, high quality diamonds from the Garnet Lake
kimberlite dike. The 2008 bulk sample program processed 499 dry tonnes of
kimberlite through the Company’s on-site DMS plant and yielded 78.26 carats.
There were 23 diamonds in the 0.25 to 1.0 carat range, including an
exceptional 0.95 carat amber coloured diamond. A high proportion of the
diamonds recovered were high quality, inclusion free stones. Photos are
available on the Company’s website at www.hudsonresources.ca. The program was
successful in liberating 80% more stones in the 0.10 to 0.25 carat range than
in the 2007 sample. To date, over 108 carats have been recovered from the
dike. This latest sample continues to demonstrate a coarse diamond
distribution that suggests larger stones are likely to be found with larger
sample sizes.
Even with improved crushing mechanics introduced into the plant in 2008,
approximately 15% of the diamonds recovered were found to have significant
amounts of kimberlite adhering to the stones. This implies that a significant
number of un-liberated diamonds are still reporting to the tails instead of
the concentrate when processed through the DMS plant cyclone. Diamond
liberation and higher recoveries continue to be a challenge with the
competent Garnet Lake kimberlite and work is planned during 2009 to further
address this issue.
Sarfartoq Carbonatite Project
A second sample from the Sarfartoq Carbonatite Project further indicates the
very high grades of this niobium-uranium-tantalum-REE project. The surface
rock sample assayed 35.7% Nb2O5 (niobium oxide), 1.19%
U3O8 (uranium oxide), 0.53% Ta2O5
(tantalum oxide) and 0.70% Rare Earth Elements (REE). This sample is
comparable to the first surface sample reported by Hudson on December 4,
2008.
“We are very pleased that we continue to recover large, high quality diamonds
from the Garnet Lake dike. In addition, we have recovered significantly more
diamonds in the plus 0.17mm to minus 3.35mm size fraction, demonstrating that
changes in crushing methods does increase diamond liberation”, stated James
Tuer, President of Hudson. “These smaller stones are +70% gem quality,
therefore, alternative liberation methods need to be investigated in order to
fully liberate the diamonds locked in the kimberlite to maximize the economic
grade of the project. The high value potential, due to the size, colour and
quality of the diamonds that have been recovered to date, including a 2.4,
2.5 and broken 4.0 carat stone, requires that larger bulk samples be
extracted to further evaluate the economics of the project. The next logical
step would be the extraction of a 3,000 to 5,000 tonne sample once the
current economic climate improves. Hudson will continue to explore for additi
onal kimberlite bodies, including pipes, on its licenses and will conduct
further testwork on crushing methodologies to improve liberation of the
Garnet Lake kimberlite. The extent of this future work will be governed by
the ability of the Company to access more capital.”
In addition, Hudson will focus its 2009 field efforts on further delineation
of the Sarfartoq Niobium-Uranium-Tantalum-REE Project, which has demonstrated
the ability to generate very significant contained mineral values. The
Sarfartoq Project has produced some of the highest known niobium intercepts
and includes highly elevated uranium and tantalum assay values.
Garnet Lake Bulk Sample Results
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Kimberlite
Sample
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Sample Wt.
(dry tonnes)
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Total Number
of Diamonds by Sieve Size (mm)
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Carats
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Cts/ht
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+0.85
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+1.18
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+1.70
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+2.36
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+3.35
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+4.75
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+6.80
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GBF-08-Pit 11.
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437
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135
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636
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235
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83
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7
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72.5
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16.6
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GBF-08-Pit 22.
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62
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9
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70
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14
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4
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1
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5.76
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9.30
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GBF-07-Pit 13.
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109
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18
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97
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30
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14
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2
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1
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1
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18.36
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16.8
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GBF-06-Pit 14.
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47
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240
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114
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22
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5
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1
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1
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12.07
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25.7
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Note:
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1. GBF-08-Pit 1 represents the main sample processed
in 2008 from the main pit at Garnet Lake. The sample was crushed at
-12mm, -6mm and -4mm. Twenty-three percent of the sample was completed at
the -4mm screen size. The same results were grossed up to match the
complete sample weight. Approx. fifteen percent of the diamonds had
significant kimberlite adhering to the stones. Hudson estimates that
depending on particle size, there was only a 10% to 25% chance of these
stones reporting to the concentrate suggesting a significant populated of
diamonds reporting to the tails as a result of incomplete liberation.
Stones sizes have been estimated based on visual examination and resized
accordingly.
2. GBF-08-Pit 2 represents kimberlite that was collected from an exposed
area 1.2km southeast of the main pit. No third crush was employed with
this sample.
3. GBF-07-Pit 1 represents the complete 2007 dry sample weight that was
processed by xray and grease at the SRC. The sample has been reorganized
to account for the broken 4 ct diamond.
4. GBF-07-Pit 1 represents the initial sample processed at SGS Lakefield.
Bottom screen sizes had a much finer tolerance than the Company’s field
DMS plant, which operates at commercial tolerances. This accounts for
significant increase in small stone recoveries from the initial sample.
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Sarfartoq Carbonatite Results
Hudson has received assay results from a second surface rock sample collected
along strike from the initial high-grade niobium-uranium-tantalum result
(reported December 4, 2008) from occurrence SU1 on the Sarfartoq Carbonatite
Complex. This second sample, comprised of 15 Kg of pyrochlore rich material,
confirms the very high-grade nature of this target. Assays are as follows:
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Nb2O5
(Niobium)
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U3O8
(Uranium)
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Ta2O5
(Tantalum)
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REE
(Rare Earth Elements)
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SU1 Sample 2
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35.7 %
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1.19 %
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0.53 %
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0.70 %
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SU1 Sample 1
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40.3 %
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1.02 %
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0.91 %
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0.63 %
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The Sarfartoq Carbonatite Complex is unique in terms of the high niobium,
uranium and tantalum concentrations, which are unusually high in comparison
to any other such deposits throughout the world. It is one of the larger
carbonatite complexes with approximate dimensions of 13 X 8 km. Hudson
controls 100% of the property. It is located near tidewater and adjacent to
very good potential hydroelectric sites.
The mineral of economic interest is pyrochlore, which is a niobium and
tantalum oxide, and is also the main host for uranium and light rare earth
elements on the Sarfartoq Project. Heavy-REE enrichment is encountered in a
thorium-rich mineral within the Complex. Non-compliant NI 43-101 historical
results from previous work on the Sarfartoq Project include a trench sample
grading 14.4% Nb2O5 over 200 meters and a diamond drill
hole averaging 12.13% Nb2O5 over 20 meters starting
near surface.
There are over 30 radiometric targets identified on the Sarfartoq Project and
a significant portion of the area is covered by disaggregated material, which
the Company believes may be masking additional radiometric anomalies. The
Company has outlined over a dozen drill ready niobium-uranium targets on the
Sarfartoq Project.
Hudson recently received a comprehensive metallurgical report carried out by
the previous owners of the project. Bench-scale testwork carried out on the
pyrochlore material from 2000-2003 demonstrated that recoveries of over 95%
for niobium and uranium are achievable utilizing solvent extraction.
Niobium, which is corrosion resistant and has superconducting properties, is
primarily used in the production of high-grade structural steel such as that
used in gas pipelines. Niobium containing superalloys are an important
component in jet engines due to their temperature stability qualities. Of
emerging importance are new developments in the use of niobium as a catalyst
for treating biodiesel fuels.
The samples were processed by the GeoAnalytical Laboratories at the
Saskatchewan Research Council (“SRC”), Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, an
independent laboratory. SRC is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard by
the Standards Council of Canada as a testing laboratory for specific tests. The
circuit is comprised of a Flow Sort twin pass x-ray unit followed by a grease
table. The material is first sized over a vibrating screen into
0.85-3mm, 3-6mm and 6-12mm size fractions. Concentrate from the Flow Sort
goes directly into a locked container, which is opened in a secured picking
room for hand sorting. The Flow sort tailings pass over the grease table in
order to capture any diamonds missed by the x-ray unit. The Grease table
concentrate is then placed into a secure cage for overnight degreasing then
moved to a secure hand sorting room. Dr. Karen Hanghøj was in charge of the
collection of the samples in Greenland and managed the chain of custody from
the field to the SRC. Dr. John Ferguson reviewed this press release and is a
qualified person under National Instrument 43-101.
Hudson management will be available to meet with shareholders at the PDAC
Convention in Toronto from March 1-4, 2007 (Booth #2648). James Tuer,
President, will be making a presentation on Tuesday March 3 at 2:40PM in Room
801B, which is located on level 800 in the Metro Toronto Convention Centre,
South Building.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"James Tuer"
James Tuer, President
This news release contains forward-looking statements
regarding ongoing and upcoming exploration work and expected geology,
geological formations and structures. Actual results may differ materially
from those anticipated in these statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility
for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION:
HUDSON RESOURCES INC:
James Tuer, Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (604) 628-5002 or (604) 688-3415
email: tuer@hudsonresources.ca
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