MONTREAL, July 20, 2011 - Argex Mining Inc. ("Argex") (TSXV: RGX) (FSE: ASV) (OTCBB: ARGEF) announced today preliminary brightness and colour results from samples of its La Blache ilmenite titanium dioxide ore processed using the CTL technology developed by Process Research Ortech (PRO). Test results on samples of Argex's uncoated TiO2 pigment compare favourably with results obtained on standard products made by leading TiO2 producers. Brightness ("L*") and colour ("a* and b*") measurements are indicators of the effectiveness of the process technology employed in removal of trace amounts of impurities. The outstanding brightness and colour figures obtained on the Argex products indicate that the CTL process is fully capable of producing high purity TiO2 base products that are competitive with products made from traditional TiO2 manufacturing processes. Argex TiO2 pigment samples tested achieved competitive L* average brightness levels of 99.69 and 99.87. Better than competitive product average b* values indicate that the CTL process is able to produce a clean base TiO2 product.
These results, along with all other results reported below were obtained using a BYK Spectro-Guide instrument (http://www.byk.com/en/instruments/color/solid-color.html) by PRO. The La Blache titanium dioxide samples were produced from the mini-plant at PRO's facility in Mississauga, Ontario, where La Blache ore samples were crushed, leached, extracted using organic solvent extraction, precipitated and calcined prior to analysis. The mini-plant has been operational since February 14, 2011.
The Commission international de l'�clairage (CIE), or International Commission on Illumination in English, known as CIELAB (CIE L* a* b*), is the most complete colour instrument that describes colours visible to the human eye and was created to serve as a device independent model to be used as a reference.
"Argex's TiO2 pigment has achieved brightness results that are in line with or superior to some of the major TiO2 industry producers in testing to date", states Argex President and CEO Roy Bonnell, "Argex believes that our CTL technology is a highly competitive process for extracting TiO2 from ilmenite ore. Argex expects that the CTL process will be a low cost and environmentally friendly process for producing high purity TiO2 products."
CTL Agreement Expected To Be Finalized In The Near Term
On February 14, 2011, Argex announced it had signed a letter of intent (LOI) with the principals of Canadian Titanium Ltd. (CTL) for the purchase of up to a 50.1% interest in CTL. All parties to the LOI have confirmed that it is their expectation that the definitive agreement will be executed shortly on the same terms and conditions as previously announced.
Additional information on the equipment used, and the CEILAB colour space can be found at the links below, including detailed definition "L*", "a*" and "b*".
About Argex Mining Inc.
ARGEX MINING INC. is transitioning from a titanium, iron and vanadium explorer to a development company with projects in Quebec, Canada. The Company is committed to its strategic plan of rapidly advancing towards profitable production at its 100% owned La Blache deposits located near Baie-Comeau, Quebec. For additional information please visit our website at www.argex.ca.
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