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CONSTANTINE REPORTS POSITIVE MINERALOGY AND METALLURGICAL PROJECTIONS FOR PALMER VMS PROJECT, ALASKA
November 19, 2009
Vancouver, B.C. � Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. (the �Company�) (TSX.V: CEM) is pleased to announce results of detailed metallurgical focused mineralogical work and benchmarking completed on six core samples of South Wall Zones I and II mineralization at the Company�s Palmer copper-zinc-gold-silver rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (�VMS�) project. The samples represent the range of dominant mineralization types recognized in drilling to date and the results of the test work are being used to better define cut-off grades for the initial National Instrument 43-101 compliant South Wall and RW resource estimate that is now in progress. The Palmer Project is located in a very accessible part of southeast Alaska, 60 kilometres by road from the year-round deep sea port of Haines.
Highlights of Benchmarking Report
- Based on benchmarking the mineralogical analysis against projects with known metallurgy, four samples representing the main styles of copper mineralization (sample head grades of 2.76 percent to 5.70 percent copper) have projected copper recoveries in the range of 87 percent to 93 percent, to a concentrate grade of 27 percent to 30 percent.
- Four samples representing the main styles of zinc mineralization (sample head grades of 8.15 percent to 15.45 percent zinc) have projected zinc recoveries in the 90 percent range, to a concentrate grade of approximately 55 percent.
- Projected zinc recoveries could not be made for two samples of copper dominant mineralization as they contained too little zinc to make a concentrate; projected copper recoveries for two samples of zinc dominant mineralization with lower grade copper are estimated at approximately 75 percent to a concentrate of approximately 25 percent
Analysis was completed on two samples of copper dominant mineralization, two samples of zinc dominant mineralization, and two samples of mixed copper and zinc barite-carbonate hosted mineralization. Full details of the mineralogical and benchmarking work can be found in a 183 page report posted on the Company�s website (www.constantinemetals.com).
Garfield MacVeigh, President and Chief Executive Officer of Constantine Metal Resources states, �We are very encouraged with the favourable projected metallurgy indicated from this first phase of mineralogical and metallurgical benchmark work. Of particular significance, the work has demonstrated coarse grained, straightforward mineralogy and the likelihood that mineralization at the Palmer Project could yield desirable recoveries and high grade concentrates at relatively low milling cost.�
Details of the Study
Test work was completed by SGS Vancouver Advanced Mineralogy Facility in association with SGS Lakefield Research Limited, and included high definition mineralogical analysis utilizing QEMSCANTM technology. The work was completed on two size fractions for each sample and provides identification of the main ore and gangue minerals, estimation of grain sizes, deportment of copper, zinc and lead between the identified mineral phases, and liberation and locking information of the ore minerals. Particle Mineral Analysis, described below, examined greater than 186,000 particles for all the samples within the Palmer Project dataset with 21,000,000 data points used to derive modal mineralogy. From this data mineral release curves and ideal theoretical flotation recoveries for copper and zinc were created. In the benchmarking exercise, ideal theoretical recoveries created from the detailed mineralogical data are adjusted to approximate the influence of the presence and abundance of potentially interfering minerals.
The Palmer data were compared with SGS�s extensive database of QEMSCANTM data for projects where the associated metallurgy is already known. The database contains 55 polymetallic (copper/zinc/lead) projects, over half of which are classified as VMS. A benchmarking report with projected metallurgical response was prepared by SGS metallurgists based on Palmer Project data and reference to the past metallurgical response of ores with similar mineralogical characteristics. A figure showing how the Palmer Project copper recovery curves compare against other projects with known metallurgical flotation results can be found in the full report posted at the Company�s website.
Background on High Definition QEMSCAN Analysis.
QEMSCANTM is an acronym for Quantitative Evaluation of Materials by Scanning Electron Microscopy, a system which differs from image analysis systems in that it is configured to measure mineralogical variability based on chemistry at the micrometer-scale. Particle Mineral Analysis (PMA) by QEMSCANTM technology was performed on graphite impregnated polished sections following stage crushing, screening and micro-rifle splitting of drill core rock samples. PMA is a two-dimensional mapping analysis aimed at resolving liberation and locking characteristics of the ore making minerals.
QEMSCANTM data has been shown to be able to reliably predict what approximates to an optimal metallurgical flowsheet, as well as project trends in metallurgical response. For the most part, a rough target for metallurgy can be projected. However, this can be risky from QEMSCANTM analysis alone, as it may fail to detect values in solid solution in gangue minerals, such as zinc in carbonates or silicates, and the generic nature of the analysis may fail to identify potential issues in metallurgy. QEMSCANTM data should not be used as a substitute for flotation testwork data obtained from a properly structured flotation program. A flotation program for the Palmer Project will be designed based on the findings of this and possibly additional mineralogical work.
About the Palmer VMS Project
The copper-rich Palmer Project represents one of North America�s newest volcanogenic massive sulphide discoveries. Drilling to date has defined the South Wall mineralization 380 meters horizontally along strike, and 410 meters vertically down dip. The South Wall with its three distinctive stratigraphic stacked zones occurs on the steep limb of a large anticlinal fold, and is correlative with the RW Zone that occurs on the shallow dipping upright limb of the fold (see figures at www.constantinemetals.com). The presence of massive sulphide on both sides of the fold indicates a sizeable massive sulphide system, with zones on each limb offering excellent opportunity for further expansion.
About the Company
Constantine has a 100% interest in two exceptional projects located in world class exploration environments where management has strong familiarity and expertise. These include the Palmer Project, where the Company has made a major new copper-zinc-silver-gold discovery in a very accessible part of southeast Alaska, and the Munro-Croesus Project a past producing mine property that yielded some of the highest grade gold ever mined in Ontario.
On Behalf of Constantine Metal Resources Ltd.
J. Garfield MacVeigh
President and CEO
Investor relations enquiries, please contact:
R.E. (Bob) Jeffery
Phone: 250-335-2011
Email: bob@constantinemetals.com or Email: info@constantinemetals.com
www.constantinemetals.com
Notes:
Samples utilized in the PMA mineralogical analysis were coarse rejects of 0.30 to 1.55 meter long 2008 drill core samples that had been kept in freezer storage. The 2009 exploration program for the Palmer project is managed by Darwin Green, VP Exploration for Constantine Metal Resources Ltd. and a qualified person as defined by Canadian National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Green has reviewed the information contained in this news release.
SGS Canada Inc. has read the information in this news release and approved it for release using their name as it correctly reflects the work they undertook.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.
Forward looking statements: This news release includes certain �forward-looking information� within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and �forward-looking statements� within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act or 1995 (collectively, �forward looking statements�). Forward looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as �seek�, �anticipate�, �believe�, �plan�, �estimate�, � forecast�, � expect�, � potential�, �project�, � target�, �schedule�, �budget� and �intend� and statements that an event or result �may�, �will�, �should�, �could� or �might� occur or be achieved or other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, exploration results, interpretation of results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, and future plans and objectives of Constantine 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. Forward looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from Constantine�s expectations include exploration risks, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resources estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, uninsured risks, regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in forward looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events or results to differ materially from those anticipated. There can be no assurance that forward looking statements will prove to be accurate and accordingly readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward looking statements. |