- SUBSTANTIAL SAVINGS IN ENERGY, CAPITAL COSTS AND
SPACE
- IMPROVEMENT IN TiO2
RECOVERY
MONTREAL,
June 13, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - Argex
Mining Inc. ("Argex") (TSXV: RGX) (FSE: ASV) (OTCBB: ARGEF)
announced today a milestone breakthrough has been achieved to the
iron recovery circuit at its pilot plant in Mississauga, Ontario where the patented CTL
process is running continuously.
Continued process improvements on solvent
extraction for the iron circuit have increased the iron
concentration from 68 gpl to 120 gpl, significantly reducing the
energy consumption and also improving the recovery of
TiO2 by 3%.
These improvements will ultimately find their
way into a full-scale industrial production facility.
Enrico Di Cesare,
Chief Operating Officer, VP Technology commented, "Concentration by
evaporation from 120 gpl to 140 gpl, which is the typical required
concentration for the pyrohydrolysis acid regeneration unit, is
much more energy efficient than concentrating from 68 gpl to 140
gpl. This is a major breakthrough for us and substantially saves
energy, capital costs, and space. The iron-rich solution in the
form of ferric chloride is then treated in the acid recovery
circuit. Work is continuing with PRO (Process Research Ortech) to
simplify and improve the CTL process".
The CTL process is a proprietary mineral
extraction process that allows for the production of high purity
(99.8% pure) pigment grade TiO2 product, which can be
sold at premium prices to the end-users in the paint, plastic and
coating industries.
The process is unique because of its ability to
produce high-purity TiO2, Iron and
V2O5 through a single process directly from
the ore material. The equipment used in all parts of the process is
known and readily available. The innovation of the process lies in
how the equipment is used and on how the solvents and temperatures
are properly balanced. The process operates at atmospheric
pressure, thus avoiding the need to handle chemicals at very high
temperatures.
The process is also environmentally friendly due
to its high energy efficiency, low emissions and its
closed-loop design, which uses relatively low levels of
hydrochloric acid that is regenerated after use. The process
produces minimal inert tailings from the La Blache ore deposit.
Ultimately, these tailings could be used by the local construction
industry for raw material.
This breakthrough and all the improvements to
date will be incorporated into the feasibility study to be
initiated shortly.
About Argex Mining Inc.
ARGEX MINING INC. is a near-term producer of
commodities that the world needs: Titanium Dioxide, Iron and
Vanadium Pentoxide. With a primary goal of advancing rapidly
towards production, Argex has adopted a simple and low-risk
strategy for the scale-up of its proprietary process that allows it
to produce high purity TiO2 directly from run-of-mine
material from its 100% owned deposit.
The process is running continuously at the
mini-plant in Mississauga,
Ontario. The closed-loop process is environmentally friendly
and produces minimal inert tailings.
Additionally, the Company owns 100% of the
Mouchalagane property, which is a large Labrador Trough iron ore
property that represents further potential upside for the Argex
shareholders.
Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking
information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All
information and statements other than statements of historical
facts contained in this press release are forward-looking
information. Such statements and information may be identified by
words such as "about", "approximately", "may", "believes",
"expects", "will", "intends", "should", "plans", "predicts",
"potential", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates", "continues" or
similar words or the negative thereof or other comparable
terminology. Forward-looking statements are based on the best
estimates available to Argex at this time and involve known and
unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause
Argex's actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking
statements. A description of the risks affecting Argex's business
and activities appears under the heading "Risk Factors" in Argex's
Amended and Restated Annual Information Form dated January 14, 2011 for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2009, which is
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. No assurance can be given that
any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this
press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so,
what benefits that Argex will derive therefrom. In particular, no
assurance can be given as to the future financial performance of
Argex. The forward-looking information contained in this press
release is made as of the date hereof and Argex undertakes no
obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to
reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required
by applicable securities laws. The reader is warned against placing
undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
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policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE ARGEX MINING INC.