Press
Release
Conclusive metallurgical test on the Hach� lens, New Brunswick
Rimouski, 15 November 2007 – Puma
Exploration (PUM-TSXV) has just received the results of the metallurgical test
carried out on mineralization from the Hach� lens on the Nicholas-Denys
property in New Brunswick.
The metallurgical testing was designed to estimate the recovery rates for
valuable metals in the ore, so as to assess the potential earnings after
preliminary concentration, i.e., ex mill.
The test was
conducted on the mineralization intersected during the most recent drilling on
the Hach� lens. A composite 30-kg
sample was made up from four different holes covering the whole lens. A total
of 25 metres
of mineralized core were crushed and mixed together to produce a single
homogeneous composite sample representative of the mineralization in the Hach�
lens. The sample was processed and analyzed at the SGS Lakefield Research
laboratory in Ontario.
Initial analysis of the 30-kg
composite sample gave 460 g/t Ag, 2.2 g/t Au, 6.0% Zn, and 3.7% Pb (Press
Release: 2007-07-10).
The
metallurgical testing produced two separate concentrates: a lead concentrate
and a zinc concentrate. The primary coarse grinding of the ore was done to 77
microns. Regrinding to 20 microns for the lead concentrate and 30 microns for
the zinc concentrate was sufficient to achieve high recoveries.
Cleaning tests
of the two concentrates enabled recovery of 84% of the zinc, 90% of the lead,
84% of the silver, and 68% of the gold. Significantly, the gold and silver
report into the lead concentrate, which will make their recovery easier in the
smelter during the next stage of processing.
“In
practical terms, if the sample that was processed is exactly representative of
the deposit, from each tonne of ore processed in the mill, 12 ounces of silver (386 g), 0.047 ounces of gold (1.5 g), 111 lbs of
zinc, and 73 lbs
of lead will be recovered. At current metal prices*, each tonne of ore in
ground would be worth US$483 when it leaves the mill.
We have taken
another major step towards a decision to put the Hach� lens into production,
because the recoveries obtained will allow us to improve our economic
assessment of the project," observes Andr� Proulx, the Company's
President.
The full
report on the metallurgical testing may be consulted on our website at www.explorationpuma.com, on the
Nicholas-Denys Project page.
* Current metal prices were taken
from the Northern Miner of 12
November 2007: US$817.55/ounce for gold, US$14.96/ounce for silver,
US$1.25/lb for zinc, and US$ 1.71/lb for lead.
* One tonne corresponding to 2,200 lbs and 1 ounce corresponding to 32.15 g.
The contents of
this press release were prepared by Geologist Marcel Robillard, a
Qualified Person as defined in NI 43-101.� The TSX Venture Stock Exchange
disclaims any responsibility for the veracity and accuracy of this release.
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For additional information:
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Rimouski
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Montreal
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Andr� Proulx
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Christian Guilbaud
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President
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Investor
Relations
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(418) 724-0901
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(514)
813-7862
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president@explorationpuma.com
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cguilbaud@explorationpuma.com
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