TORONTO, Jan. 14 -
Noront Resources Ltd. ("Noront or the Company") (TSX Venture: NOT.V) is pleased to present additional chromium assay results from its chromite exploration activities in the McFaulds Lake area of northern Ontario in the James Bay Lowlands.
EXPLORATION HIGHLIGHTS- Additional assay results from holes on the Blackbird Chromite Deposits include widespread chromite mineralization in several holes including Hole NOT-08-1G74 that encountered 36.2 metres averaging 39.33% Cr2O3, 26.9% Cr and 12.22% Fe (Cr:Fe ratio of 2.2)
- Hole NOT-08-1G64 that encountered 17 metres averaging 43.84% Cr2O3, 29.98% Cr and 15.02% Fe included within a much larger (40 metre)mineralized interval that averaged 31.42% Cr2O3
- Hole NOT-08-1G61 that encountered 24 meters that averaged 35.56% Cr2O3, 24.33% Cr and 12% Fe (Cr:Fe ratio of 2.0)
- Hole NOT-08-1G69 encountered 65.5 metres that averages 11.81% Cr2O3 including 16.5 metres that averages 25.0 % Cr2O3, 17.09% Cr and 10.98% Fe (Cr:Fe ratio of 1.57)
- Discovery hole at Blackbird Two (hole NOT-08-1G57) returned numerous chromite bearing layers, including a 16.5 metre section that averaged 26.29% Cr2O3, 17.99% Cr, and 14.28% Fe (Cr:Fe ratio of 1.26)BLACKBIRD CHROMITE OCCURRENCESThe layered chromite ("LC") zones at Blackbird are described as a complex of several layers of massive chromite of varying thicknesses within the peridotite sill. These chromitite layers dip steeply at approximately 60 degrees to the west paralleling the contact between the peridotite sill and the adjacent granodiorite. The holes containing significant chromite mineralization reported to date have delineated a layered chromitite body along a strike length of approximately 1000 metres, down to a vertical depth of approximately 500 metres over wide (yet variable) core widths. The Blackbird chromite occurrences are open to depth and along strike in both directions. During the reporting period since the last press release (October 16, 2008) an additional 20 holes received final assays as presented on Noront's website, the following table provides selected assays, extracted from the full table of results available at
http://www.norontresources.com/projects/ring-of-fire/highlightholes.pdf 
True widths are not yet determined for the chromite (LC) zones at the Blackbird Chromite Deposits. Additional drill hole results will be reported upon as they are received.
Many of the gravity anomalies tested by
Diamond drilling during 2008 in this area have intersected chromite mineralization. Visual observations of the chromite in core from holes in this area are quite encouraging, as these observations are starting to imply large tonnage potential for the intervening area between BB1 and BB2 suggesting that these occurrences may be connected, although much more drilling is required. Drilling on this project has involved the testing of several anomalies, the location of the drill sites have been plotted on a drill plan map, superimposed on a ground gravity survey map, available on Noront's website. For drill hole location information as well as the aforementioned drill plans regarding Noront's chrome project please visit Noront's website. The following link provides access to this map and drill hole location data:
http://www.norontresources.com/projects/ring-of-fire/BlackbirdPlanMap.pdf and
http://www.norontresources.com/projects/ring-of-fire/collars.pdf 2009 EXPLORATION PROGRAMNoront's exploration team took a short break over the holiday season, wrapping up 2008's exploration program on the 15th of December. Advance exploration crews have now arrived at the main base camp near the Eagle One deposit to commence preparation for drilling. The initial focus of the 2009 exploration program will be to continue to define the potential of the chrome mineralization encountered in the vicinity of the Blackbird chromite occurrences.
Two drills owned and operated by Les Forage Drilling Orbit of Val D'Or Quebec, have been contracted to drill in the vicinity of the Blackbird occurrences, both rigs will be drilling in systematic step outs exploring the area to determine continuity of the chromium-enriched zones, while in some instances testing other nearby gravimetric anomalies. As previously announced (refer to press release dated July 29, 2008) Blackbird Two ("BB2") was discovered while testing a large gravity anomaly extending approximately 1000 metres to the east of Blackbird One ("BB2") and one kilometre south of the Eagle One ("E1") magmatic massive sulphide (MMS) deposit.
In order to continue the assessment of the local and regional potential of the chrome deposits, Noront is currently planning an airborne gravity survey to be completed early in the current program.
The massive chromite intervals reported in this and previous press releases are flanked by thick rock sequences of intermittent chromite layers as well as, heavily disseminated chromite layers, hosted by the peridotite sill. In light of a review of the mining and beneficiation practises of major chromite producers elsewhere in the world, Noront has initiated a major re-sampling program on existing core aimed at the delineation of a large deposit amenable to open pit methods of exploitation. In addition, representative samples have been selected from various drill intersections and have been submitted to SGS Lakefield for initial metallurgical studies.
This zone along the Ring of Fire ("ROF") continues to the northeast onto ground wholly owned by Noront. The Company is committed to further identifying the chromite footprint of the Blackbird deposits and testing its other holdings along the ROF for chromite and related copper-nickel massive sulphide mineralization. Noront raised $18.9 million in a flow through financing during November and December, a portion of which has been assigned to Noront's activities in the Ring of Fire related to chrome exploration. (see press release dated December 4, 2008).
"We are extremely excited about the thickness and world-class grades that we are encountering in our Blackbird drilling," said Paul Parisotto, Interim Co-CEO of Noront. "The Blackbird discoveries are starting to show continuity as we move towards defining a resource base for these unique deposits. Further drilling, in conjunction with metallurgical studies that should be completed in the first quarter, may allow Noront to be in a position to communicate the significance of these deposits to the markets before the middle of the year."
INDEPENDENT QUALITY CONTROL AND ANALYTICAL PROTOCOLA thorough quality control program has been in effect for the Double Eagle project which includes grouping samples into batches of 35 into which are added 2 certified reference material standards, 2 field blanks comprised of sterile drill core, and a field duplicate. Coarse reject and pulp duplicates also form part of the QC program. Approximately 10% of the samples are sent to a secondary lab as a monitor on the principal lab. It can be said with confidence that all assays as reported in this Press Release have passed the strict quality control guidelines as set out by Noront's independent Qualified Person ("IQP").
All samples reported upon herein were completed by Activation Labs (Actlabs) of Ancaster, Ontario. The samples submitted to Actlabs were analyzed for multi-elements, including Ni and Cu using a four acid digestion followed by ICP analysis. The samples that received base metal values greater than the upper limit for the method underwent further analysis using ICP-OES. For the Au, Pd and Pt, the assay methodology was Fire Assay on a 30 gram aliquot with an ICP finish. Silver was analyzed using a 3-acid digest with an ICP analysis. For final chromium analysis, on the samples where elemental chromium using the ICPOES multi-element analysis methodology provides greater than 10,000 ppm (1% Cr), the samples are then submitted for additional analysis using INAA that involves irradiating the samples prior to final analysis. This methodology provides analysis in percent for elemental Cr as well as Cr(2)O(3) and elemental Fe. For more information on assay methodology please visit the Activation Laboratories Ltd. Website at
http://www.actlabsint.com.Drilling results in this press release have been approved for dissemination by Noront's senior management including John Harvey, P.Eng. Chief Operating Officer of Noront, Dr. Jim Mungall P.Geo., Noront's Chief Geologist, and Jim Atkinson, P.Geo. all being Qualified Persons under Canadian Securities guidelines.
Noront is a tier 2 junior resource company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading symbol NOT, with 153,722,283 shares issued to date.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:"Paul A. Parisotto and Joe Hamilton"
Co-Chief Executive Officers
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSThis release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including predictions, projections and forecasts. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including such things as future business strategy, competitive strengths, goals, expansion, growth of the Company's businesses, operations, plans and with respect to exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, permitting time lines, government regulation of exploration and mining operations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, limitations on insurance coverage, timing and possible outcome of any pending litigation and timing and results of future resource estimates or future economic studies.
Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "planning", "planned", "expects" or "looking forward", "does not expect", "continues", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "potential", "anticipates", "does not anticipate", or "belief", or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.
Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions, including, the result of drilling and exploration activities, that contracted parties provide goods and/or services on the agreed timeframes, that equipment necessary for exploration is available as scheduled and does not incur unforeseen break downs, that no labour shortages or delays are incurred, that plant and equipment function as specified, that no unusual geological or technical problems occur, and that laboratory and other related services are available and perform as contracted. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future prices of gold; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated; the failure of contracted parties to perform; labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry; delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the company's publicly filed documents. Although Noront has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contactsplease contact the Investor Relations Department at (416) 238-7226
or visit Noront's website at: http://www.norontresources.com
Investors can also utilize Noront's IR Hub at
http://www.agoracom.com/IR/Noront