Press Release
$B!&(B XTIERRA STARTS OXIDE ORE PILOT PLANT TESTS
Toronto, May 12, 2010, Xtierra Inc. (TSXV ? XAG) ($B!H(BXtierra$B!I(B or the $B!H(BCompany$B!I(B), reports that the pilot plant test work program proposed for the near surface oxide ore at Bilbao has commenced. The protocol for the test work was recently established with the assistance of Xtierra$B!G(Bs independent metallurgical consulting team.
Laboratory test work results on the Oxide Ores, as reported in a Press Release dated January 14, 2010, were positive and indicate a practical and economic solution to the processing and metal recovery for the near-surface oxide resources at Bilbao. Replicating these results in a pilot plant will indicate that similar results can be expected in a full-scale industrial application.
The pilot plant test work program and schedule comprises five component parts: (1) collection of a representative bulk sample of approximately 20 tonnes is currently underway from two existing underground levels which are within the oxide ore wireframe. Once crushed and sampled, 4 representative composites of 5 tonnes each will be established; (2) a 0.5 tonne/hour pilot plant comprised of a crusher, ball mill, classifier, flotation cells and related equipment has been sourced and will be available to the Company over the next two weeks; (3) a Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separator (WHIMS) has been sourced and will be available in approximately 4-6 weeks time; (4) the crusher, ball mill and WHIMS will be set up in close proximity to the Bilbao project site. The four, 5 tonne sample composites will be batch processed producing approximately four, 3 tonne non-magnetic concentrates containing the payable metals. The magnetic material, containing a high percentage of iron oxide, will be kept on site and marketing of this reject material to the cement industry will follow; (5) the non-magnetic material will be transported to the Institute of Metallurgy at the University of San Luis Potosi where the acid leach, flotation and cyanidation processes will take place at a rate of 20 kg/hr, 24 hr/day over a 15 day period. The tanks, agitators, pumps and electric controls for the leach process are currently being fabricated and are scheduled to be installed at the Institute of Metallurgy by the beginning of June.
The oxide ore pilot plant test work and related reports are scheduled to be completed in the third quarter 2010. Metallurgical test work on the transition (mixed oxide and sulphide) ore as well as on the sulphide ore is currently in progress. Results and related reports on this work are expected in June 2010.
Comment
Terence McKillen, CEO of Xtierra said, $B!H(BCompletion of the pilot plant test work on the near surface oxide ores at Bilbao will be an important milestone for the project. Confirmation of metal recoveries in a larger-scale process plant replicating continuity of the flow sheet process will establish the recoveries of the various metals that can be achieved in a commercial process.$B!I(B Mr. McKillen added, $B!H(BThe metallurgical test work is an important final step in the completion of the Bilbao feasibility study and will enable final economic studies on the project to be completed.$B!I(B
Qualified Person
Information of a scientific or technical nature contained in this release has been prepared by or under the supervision of Gerald Gauthier, P.Eng., the Chief Operating Officer of the Company, and a $B!F(Bqualified person$B!G(B within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 ? Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
About Xtierra Inc.
Xtierra Inc. is a Toronto based exploration and development company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. Xtierra$B!G(Bs shares trade under the symbol $B!H(BXAG.$B!I(B Xtierra has 75,637,003 shares issued and outstanding. Xtierra is conducting a feasibility study on its Bilbao silver$B!>(Bzinc$B!>(Blead-copper project in Zacatecas, Mexico. Xtierra$B!G(Bs objective is to become a mid$B!>(Btier producer of precious and base metals through the development of its Bilbao project as well as through exploration, organic growth and M & A opportunities.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or the accuracy of this release.
This news release may include certain "forward-looking statements". All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, resources and reserves, exploration results, and future plans and objectives of Xtierra, 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 Xtierra$B!G(Bs expectations are exploration risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by Xtierra with securities regulators.
For further information visit www.xtierra.ca or contact:
Terence N. McKillen, President & Chief Executive +1 (416) 362-8243
Tim Gallagher, Director +1 (416) 925-0090
Alejandro Alaniz, Director Finance & Administration (Mexico) + 52 (492) 925-0804
Brett Whitelaw +1 (778) 836-5891
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