CALGARY, ALBERTA, Jun 16, 2009 (Marketwire via COMTEX News Network) --
Westcore Energy Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:WTR) is pleased to announce receipt of initial proximate analyses and coal ranking for 40 drill core samples, and washability test results for 19 samples, from the winter drilling program on the Black Diamond property, located in west-central Manitoba, Canada. Loring Labs of Calgary, Alberta, conducted the analyses and tests that strictly adhere to ASTM standards. The results confirm that Black Diamond coal samples exhibit a range in calorific values from 12,880 to 21,599 Kj/Kg (air-dried) and rank in the Lignite A to Sub-bituminous C range. Hole WTR09-01 washability tests demonstrate that substantial upgrades in calorific value and ash content occur when the coal is cleaned. A 23.1 m wide (76 ft) coal seam increased 24.4% in calorific value (from 17,459 to 21,722 Kg/Kj, air dried), and ash content reduced by 30.8% (from 32.7 to 22.6%, air-dried), after washing.
Three holes out of a total of five (WTR09-01, WTR09-02 and WTR09-03) intersected coal during the initial drilling program at Black Diamond. Overburden thicknesses in these holes range from 22.2 to 25.9 meters depth, below which a carbonaceous zone immediately begins within Cretaceous-age Mannville sediments. The term 'zone' is used here to describe a package of black to brown carbonaceous material that includes coal, silty/sandy coal (high-ash units) and partings of poor to moderately consolidated sedimentary units of sand, sandstone or siltstone. These latter sedimentary units, considered to be part of the carbonaceous zone, contain variable amounts of coal fragments and stringers that range in quantity from minor to abundant.
Proximate Analysis
Table 1 shows the proximate analysis for all samples collected within the carbonaceous zones intersected in the three holes, including both coal seams and carbonaceous units. Identification of coal seams for the purposes of reporting is based on visual and density characteristics combined with lab analyses. The calorific values obtained from the carbonaceous units were calculated for the coal fraction only, by normalizing the sample to a moist, mineral-matter-free basis (according to ASTM D-388 standards). Intervals that include more than one sample are noted and reported as weighted averages. Missing intervals not sampled are non-carbonaceous units.
Moisture reduction after air drying was considerable for many of the samples. This is illustrated by a coal unit in Hole WTR09-01 whose moisture content decreased from 36.18% to 3.93% after drying.
Table 1: Proximate Analysis of Coal Seams and Carbonaceous Units from Holes
WTR09 01, 02 & 03
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Hole Sample Sample Width Moisture Moisture Ash
Number Type Interval (m) % % %
(m) (ar) (ad) (ar)
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WTR0901 Coal 29.6 - 30.3 0.7 25.7 4.9 17.5
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Coal 32.6 - 33.1 0.5 36.2 3.9 18.4
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Coal (Brown) 33.6 - 33.9 0.3 18.5 1.2 66.3
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Coal 34.4 - 34.6 0.2 29.2 3.7 35.0
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Coal 35.2 - 37.4(1) 2.2 28.0 5.0 21.3
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Coal (locally
silty) 37.7 - 48.2(2) 10.5 27.1 10.0 18.7
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Carb. Sts 48.2 - 50.8 2.6 14.2 2.9 56.9
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Coal 50.8 - 57.5(3) 6.7 23.8 6.2 30.6
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Carb. Ss/sts 57.5 - 58.6 1.1 9.4 1.3 80.5
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Coal (Silty) 58.6 - 60.2 1.6 13.4 3.4 51.8
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Coal 60.2 - 62.6 2.4 22.8 7.2 24.6
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Carb. Ss 62.6 - 63.1 0.5 7.3 0.9 85.0
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WTR0902 Coal (clayey) 22.4 - 22.8 0.4 26.4 5.6 36.5
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Coal 22.8 - 27.2(4) 4.4 29.9 11.1 20.6
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Carb. Ss 29.6 - 30.0 0.4 14.8 2.6 66.4
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Coal (Silty) 30.0 - 31.4 1.4 20.5 8.5 38.6
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Sand w/coal
frags 31.4 - 31.9(6) 0.5 12.6 1.3 70.4
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WTR0903 Sandstone
(roof) 23.8 - 25.8 2.0 13.9 0.3 82.5
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Coal (Silty) 25.8 - 27.3 1.5 11.2 0.9 65.2
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Coal
(clayey/sandy) 27.3 - 29.0 1.7 19.7 2.5 43.9
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Carb. Ss 29.0 - 30.5 1.5 17.4 1.3 65.4
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Coal 30.5 - 32.0 1.5 28.1 4.7 21.5
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Coal
(clayey/sandy) 32.0 - 32.9 0.9 22.8 2.9 40.3
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Coal 32.9 - 38.3(7) 5.4 29.9 5.5 15.1
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Carb. Ss 41.8 - 43.3 1.5 14.4 1.4 67.3
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Coal (Sandy) 43.3 - 43.8 0.5 19.0 2.8 42.6
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Coal 43.8 - 51.5(8) 7.7 26.8 6.2 22.2
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Carb. Ss 51.5 - 52.1(9) 0.6 18.7 1.7 57.3
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Hole Ash Volatile Fixed Sulphur CV CV
Number % Matter Carbon % Kj/kg Btu/lb
(ad) % (ad) % (ad) (ad) (ad) (ad)
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WTR0901 22.4 27.8 44.9 1.9 20547 8834
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27.7 29.9 38.5 1.4 18867 8111
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80.4 9.9 8.5 0.5 4014 1726
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47.7 19.5 29.2 3.5 13493 5801
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28.1 29.2 37.8 1.3 19425 8351
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22.9 30.1 36.9 2.5 19792 8509
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64.3 19.8 13.0 1.0 9142 3930
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37.4 23.9 32.5 1.1 15290 6573
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87.6 6.7 4.3 1.0 2215 952
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57.8 21.0 17.8 3.8 9844 4232
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29.5 26.8 36.4 2.2 17850 7674
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90.8 6.8 1.5 0.1 1444 621
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WTR0902 46.8 22.8 24.8 0.5 11286 4852
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26.0 28.4 34.5 3.7 17064 7336
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75.9 11.6 9.9 0.5 5318 2286
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44.4 22.3 24.7 5.1 (5) 12710 5464
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79.4 12.0 7.3 0.9 5293 2276
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WTR0903 95.5 3.1 1.1 3.4 676 291
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72.8 18.7 7.7 1.0 6744 2899
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53.3 20.9 23.3 1.7 12120 5211
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78.2 11.9 8.6 0.7 5183 2228
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28.5 30.0 36.9 1.7 18560 7979
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50.7 22.3 24.2 3.1 13373 5749
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20.4 32.7 41.4 1.3 21041 9046
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77.5 12.9 8.2 2.0 5728 2463
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51.1 22.3 23.8 1.8 13038 5605
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28.4 31.5 33.9 3.4 18480 7945
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70.5 16.8 12.7 2.6 8398 3610
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(ar) = "as received", (ad) = "air dried" Sts = siltstone, Ss = sandstone,
frags = fragments, carb = carbonaceous
(1) Weighted average of 2 samples
(2) Weighted average of 4 samples
(3) Weighted average of 4 samples
(4) Weighted average of 4 samples
(5) One large pyrite nodule (6 cm) half entered into sample.
(6) Only the top 0.5 m was sampled of a sand unit containing coal that
extended from 31.4 33.3 m (1.9 m width)
(7) Weighted average of 2 samples
(8) Weighted average of 2 samples
(9) Only top 0.6 m was sampled of a unit that extended from 51.5 60.6 m
(9.1 m total width)
Washability Tests
Washability tests were conducted on both coal and carbonaceous sedimentary samples for the purposes of determining how well calorific values could be upgraded and the ash and sulphur contents reduced. Float/sink analyses were carried out on the coarse size fraction of each sample (+0.25 mm) using five different ranges of fluid densities (from -1.4 to +1.7 specific gravity). Proximate analyses were then conducted on the float material collected in each specific-gravity range, and a determination of optimal coal recovery, relative to a specific-gravity cut-off level, was decided. To date, washability results have been received for Hole WTR09-01 only and are reported in Table 2. Table 3 compares Table 2 results against the original proximate analyses for the same samples.
Table 2: Washability Test Results for Hole WTR09 01
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+0.25mm Specific
Sieve % Gravity
Sample Interval Width (1) (2)
Type (m)(i) (m) Recovery Cutoff
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Coal 29.6 - 30.3 0.7 96.6 1.6
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Coal 32.6 - 33.1 0.5 79.0 1.7
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Coal 34.4 - 34.6 0.2 88.1 1.6
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Coal 35.2 - 36.0 0.8 94.4 1.6
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Coal 36.0 - 37.4 1.4 96.3 1.6
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Coal 37.7 - 38.7 1.0 95.7 1.6
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Coal 38.7 - 41.2 2.5 96.3 1.6
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Coal (Silty) 41.2 - 41.5 0.3 97.8 1.5
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Coal (Silty) 41.5 - 48.2 6.7 96.4 1.6
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Carb Sts 48.2 - 50.8 2.6 95.7 1.5
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Coal 50.8 - 53.3 2.5 94.0 1.6
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Coal (Clayey) 53.3 - 54.7 1.4 94.2 1.7
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Coal 54.7 - 56.1 1.4 93.0 1.7
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Coal 56.1 - 57.5 1.4 95.9 1.6
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Coal 60.2 - 62.6 2.4 97.0 1.6
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% Cum
Sample Moisture Sulphur CV
Sample (3) % (ad) Cum. Ash % (ad) Kj/Kg (ad)
Type Recovery Wt. Avg. % Wt. Avg. Wt. Avg.
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Coal 85.1 5.8 12.1 0.8 22224
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Coal 87.0 6.3 15.3 1.6 22205
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Coal 23.1 6.3 18.6 1.4 20779
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Coal 52.7 5.6 20.9 1.1 21449
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Coal 84.2 5.2 20.2 1.3 21287
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Coal 90.4 5.4 17.6 1.2 21864
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Coal 95.3 3.7 14.4 1.6 23340
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Coal (Silty) 14.4 5.5 14.6 1.6 23906
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Coal (Silty) 80.2 3.2 21.1 2.1 22637
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Carb Sts 0.2 4.6 12.6 2.1 24355
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Coal 17.1 3.9 22.1 0.9 20166
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Coal (Clayey) 19.6 3.6 34.5 0.9 NSS
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Coal 58.6 5.8 21.6 1.0 20316
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Coal 72.3 5.3 19.6 1.8 21220
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Coal 51.5 5.0 21.8 2.1 20543
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(ad) = "air dried" Carb Sts = carbonaceous siltstone
(i) Missing intervals between 29.6 and 63.1 m = insufficient
sample size for washability test, or unsampled parting
(1) Percent of coarse fraction (greater than 0.25mm) of original
sample subjected to washability tests
(2) SG value (between 1.4 and +1.7 ) below which washing results
were optimal
(3) Percent of +0.25mm sample fraction recovered below SG cutoff
Wt. Avg. Weighted average of SG fractions up to cutoff level
NSS Not Sufficient Sample
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Table 3: Comparative Results of Original vs. Washed Coal & Carbonaceous
Units, Hole WTR09 01
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Sample
Sample Interval Width Recovery
Type (m)(i) (m) % (#) Moisture % (ad) Ash % (ad)
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Washed Original Washed Original Washed
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Coal 29.6 - 30.3 0.7 82.2 4.9 5.8 22.4 12.1
Coal 32.6 - 33.1 0.5 68.7 3.9 6.3 27.7 15.3
Coal 34.4 - 34.6 0.2 20.4 3.7 6.3 47.7 18.6
Coal 35.2 - 37.4(1) 2.2 70.8 4.9 5.4 28.1 20.5
Coal (minor
silt) 37.7 - 48.2(2) 10.5 75.1 10.1 3.6 23.1 19.2
Carb Sts 48.2 - 50.8 2.6 0.2 2.9 4.6 64.3 12.6
Coal 50.8 - 57.5(3) 6.7 35.0 6.4 4.9 36.4 25.3
Coal 60.2 - 62.6 2.4 49.9 7.2 5.0 29.5 21.8
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Sample Calorific Value CV
Type Sulphur % (ad) Kj/kg (ad) BTU/lb (ad) %
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Original Washed Original Washed Original Washed Increase
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Coal 1.9 0.8 20547 22224 8834 9555 8.2
Coal 1.4 1.6 18867 22205 8111 9546 17.7
Coal 3.5 1.4 13493 20779 5801 8933 54.0
Coal 1.3 1.2 19414 21346 8346 9177 10.0
Coal (minor
silt) 2.5 1.9 19997 22986 8597 9882 14.9
Carb Sts 1.0 2.1 9142 24355 3930 10471 166.4
Coal 1.2 1.2 16185 20878(4) 6958 8976 29.0
Coal 2.2 2.1 17850 20543 7674 8832 15.1
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ad = "air dried" Carb Sts = carbonaceous siltstone
(1) Weighted average of 2 samples
(2) Weighted average of 4 samples
(3) Weighted average of 4 samples
(4) One sample of 4 had insufficient size to determine CV; value presented
is weighted average of remaining 3 samples
(i) Missing intervals between 29.6 and 63.1 m are either insufficient
sample sizes for washability tests, or unsampled
partings
# (+0.25mm Sieve Recovery) x (% Cumulative Sample Recovery) - See Table 2
Washing the samples has resulted in significant upgrades to the coal quality. A nearly continuous coal seam with minor partings found between 34.4 and 57.5m depth (23.1m wide) returned the following improvements:
- Increase in calorific value of 24.4%, from 17,459 to 21, 722 Kg/Kj
- 30.8% decrease in ash content, from 32.7% to 22.6%
- Decrease in sulphur content of 15.4%, from 1.8%.to 1.5%
Paul Conroy, President, states: "The discovery of the Durango coal seam in April, 2008, by Goldsource Mines Inc. on their Border Coal Property, was the first indication that significant thicknesses of Mannville-age, thermal coal exists in east-central Saskatchewan. With Westcore's recent discovery of coal on the Black Diamond property (press release dated April 9, 2009), it is confirmed that coal of similar age, grade and thickness as the Durango seam occurs across the border into Manitoba. Of particular importance is the relative shallowness of the coal seam at Black Diamond, beginning at depths as shallow as 22.2 meters (73 feet). This compares favourably to the depths to coal at Goldsource's Border Coal Property, reportedly on the order of 40 - 100 meters (130 - 330 feet). Equally as exciting are the results of the washability tests that suggest much of the lower grade, higher ash coal units can be upgraded considerably, ultimately impacting the economics of the coal seam in a very positive way."
In preparation for a winter drilling program, Westcore has recently engaged Fugro Airborne Surveys of Ottawa, Ontario, to conduct an in-fill, airborne geophysical survey over the previously flown block on the Black Diamond Property. This additional survey is expected to define coal-bearing sub-basins in finer detail, which will allow greater accuracy in drill-hole placement over known geophysical targets.
Ellen MacNeill, Professional Geoscientist in the Province of Saskatchewan and Qualified Person for this news release, has reviewed and approved its contents.
SOURCE: Westcore Energy Ltd.
Westcore Energy Ltd. Paul Conroy President and Chief Executive Officer (403) 697-4005 (403) 237-6181 (FAX)