Update on the intensive advanced exploration program
MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Sep 07, 2011 (MARKETWIRE via COMTEX News Network) -- Geomega Resources Inc. (GeoMegA) (TSX VENTURE: GMA) is pleased to
announce the beginning of the Phase 2 definition and exploration
drilling on its rare earth elements Montviel property, located in the
Abitibi, Quebec. This new milestone is part of an update on the
current intensive exploration program, which includes the
following:
1. The Phase 2 definition and exploration drilling campaign is scheduled to begin on September 12, 2011; 2. The NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate, based on 18 holes in the Core Zone from the Phase 1 drill program, is expected to be released by the end of September 2011; 3. Two mini-bulk samples of 300 kg, for bench-scale metallurgical testing, have been sent to SGS Canada Lab in Lakefield, Ontario; 4. Preliminary mineralogical evaluation by SGS already confirmed that the mineralized carbonatite mainly contains REE-bearing minerals of the Bastnasite-Synsychite family, which are amenable to concentration and separation by recognized metallurgical processes.
"Phase 1 drilling results are excellent. We are optimistic that the
initial NI 43-101 compliant resource will allow us to confirm that
our Montviel property represents one of the largest Neodymium
deposits in the world. The Phase 2 drilling and metallurgical tests
will enlighten us on its full potential," said Mr. Simon Britt,
president of GeoMegA.
1. A) Phase 2 diamond drilling program - Core Zone
The main objective of this two-rig diamond drill campaign is to
complete a drilling pattern of 100 X 100 meters or better over the
Core Zone of the Montviel Carbonatite Complex. The 18 diamond drill
holes (DDH) of the Phase 1 drill program have already defined a
REE-rich zone of a minimum length of 750 meters, down to a minimum
depth of 550 meters and a width of 300 to 450 metres. The Phase 2
drill program will immediately focus on the south-west (SW) portion
of the deposit where some of the best results (DDH MVL-11-18: 2.15%
TREO over 250.65 meters; see August 2, 2011 press release) were
intersected. The Core Zone remains open to the SW with average grade
values increasing in that direction. The Core Zone is also open to
the north-east (NE) but could be possibly offset by a fault as
suggested by the airborne magnetic survey. Step-out holes will be
drilled to delineate the actual limits of the Core Zone. Finally,
sub-vertical DDH MVL-11-15 - ended in mineralization at 549 m - will
be deepened in an attempt to define the ultimate depth of the
REE-enriched ferro-carbonatite.
1. B) Phase 2 diamond drilling program - Satellite targets
Later this fall, one of the two rigs will be mobilised to test over
half a dozen targets that were defined by previous exploration work
elsewhere on the Montviel Property. One of these targets is the SW
extension of a polygenetic breccias unit that was cut in some of our
DDHs and which roughly defines the NW contact between the REE-rich
ferro-carbonatite and the silico-carbonatite. The total rare earth
oxides content (TREO) of this breccia unit is lower (0.1% to 0.9%
TREO) than the Core Zone but it exhibits a clear enrichment of mid
and heavy rare earth oxides (MHREO) toward the west. The MHREO/TREO
ratio reaches 28% over 17.1 m in hole DDH MVL-11-09 compared to
ratios of 4 to 6% in the other DDH to the NE. This intercept in DDH
MVL-11-09 also averaged 210 ppm of Dysprosium oxide. Limited
trenching work completed in August, one kilometre to the SW of DDH
MVL-11-09, revealed very similar breccias over a width of more than
30 meters. There is no DDH between these surface breccia occurrences
and those in DDH MVL-11-09.
2. NI 43-101 compliant initial resource calculation
An NI 43-101 compliant preliminary resource estimate performed by SGS
Geostat of Blainville, Quebec is well underway. These first 43-101
resources will be based on the 18 holes drilled in the Core Zone of
the Montviel Carbonatite Complex. During the summer, SGS has audited
and compiled all the drilling data, checked the QA/QC, visited the
Montviel Property and took their own core samples for check assays.
The NI 43-101 resource estimate is expected to be released by the end
of September 2011 with the report to be filed on SEDAR within the
next 45 days.
3. Bench-scale metallurgical tests
Bench-scale metallurgical testing is being initiated by SGS Canada Lab
in Lakefield, Ontario. Two 300-kg representative samples from
re-split core were sent to the lab in August. Early September, SGS
Lab will start mineral processing tests and should deliver
preliminary results during the fall. Final metallurgical testing,
including hydro-metallurgy, should be available in the first quarter
of 2012.
4. Mineralogical evaluation
Two important criteria, in evaluating the quality and the feasibility
of a REE project, are mineralogy and mineral grain size. REEs are
very special metals having very similar physico-chemical
characteristics making them difficult to separate. It is crucial to
look for minerals that are known to be economically amenable to
concentration and REE-separation by established metallurgical
processes.
Preliminary mineralogical evaluation of Montviel's mineralisation by
SGS's Lakefield Ontario lab, using Qemscan and microprobe techniques,
confirmed that the REE-bearing minerals are from the
Bastnasite-Synsychite family (see August 24, 2011 press release).
These are huanghoite, a barium-cerium fluoro-carbonate, and cebaite,
a barium-REE fluoro-carbonate. Huanghoite and cebaite are two of the
main REE-minerals at the world class Bayan Obo Mine in Inner
Mongolia, China. Bastnasite is the main REE mineral of the Mountain
Pass Mine in California, the world's main REE producer from the 70s
to the 90s that is to resume production in 2012.
SGS's mineralogical study also revealed that the overall grain size
distribution of the hanghoite and cebaite of the Montviel Carbonatite
is comparatively coarse, which is a prerequisite for concentration by
conventional mineral processing techniques.
NI 43-101 Disclosure
Jacquelin Gauthier, P. Eng., vice-president exploration, and Gary H.
K. Pearse M.Sc., P.Eng., an independent consultant, are the qualified
persons who supervised the preparation of the technical information
in this news release.
About GeoMegA
GeoMegA, which owns 100% of the Montviel property, is a Quebec mining
exploration company focusing on finding economically viable deposits
of elements needed by Clean Technologies. GeoMegA is committed to
meeting stringent mining industry standards and distinguishing itself
with its expertise, know-how and its support and respect for local
communities and the environment.
GeoMegA currently has 21,735,399 common shares outstanding and is
well funded.
The TSX Venture Exchange and its regulatory service provider (as
defined in the TSX-V Rules) cannot be held responsible for the
accuracy or veracity of this release.
Contacts: For Investors: Simon Britt President and CEO GeoMegA 450 465-0099 info@ressourcesgeomega.ca For Medias: Stephane Dion NATIONAL public relations 418 648-1233, ext. 235 sdion@national.ca
SOURCE: GeoMegA Resources Inc.
mailto:info@ressourcesgeomega.ca mailto:sdion@national.ca
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