Voyageur’s JV Partner Anson Resources, Appoints Outotec to Carry-Out Test Work on Synthetic Brines

CALGARY, Alberta, April 11, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Voyageur Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V:VM) (the “Company”) advises that its JV partner Anson Resources Ltd. is commencing tests on the joint property the ULI project in Utah USA.

Qutotec has been commissioned to carry out tests on synthetic brines of similar composition to the brines found on the ULI project.

Highlights:

• Test work to be carried out on synthetically produced brines of similar composition to the brines in the ULI Subterranean Pressurized Lithium Brine Project area. 
• Metallurgical test work to be carried out in 2 phases:
    --  Phase 1: Test work to confirm Mg and Ca removal.
    --  Phase 2: Extraction of Li2CO3 and additional economic commodities.

The synthetically prepared brine will have the same composition as the lithium brine extracted from the Roberts Well drill hole, which intersected the Clastic Zone #31. The Roberts Well drill hole is the closest drill hole to the ULI claims where the targeted brine horizon have previously been tested, being approximately 900 meters away.

The lithium rich brines have additional commodities in high concentrations, which are expected to add to the economics of the ULI Project.

Table 1: Brine concentrations from wells adjacent (1000m) to ULI Project area, these numbers have been obtained from sources the Company believes are reliable but we have not done any work to verify these numbers. 

The  test  work  will be  carried  out  on  synthetically  prepared  brine  solutions  and  will  follow  the Figure 1 process flow sheet shown below.

A chart accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7480f75f-1764-4357-b4cb-b8bfb76b1e1c

Figure 1: Proposed test work flowsheet

Phase 1 test work will concentrate on the removal of Mg and Ca from the brine solution. Two methods will be tested:

• Precipitation; and
• Solvent extraction (SX).

Phase 2 test work will focus on the testing for Li2CO3 production and the extraction of economic by-products. Parameters that will also be tested throughout the test  program include the pH, dosage of reactants and retention times.

The aim of the tests is to generate design information for the flowsheet development work for a proposed Lithium Plant. Information expected to be developed includes:

• Design criteria;
• Process  description;
• Equipment list; and
• Capital costs.

Mr. Bruce Richardson, Managing Director of Anson, said, “Synthesizing the brine mineral composition to test the extraction of potentially multiple high value products contained within the brine is a key step in advancing the ULI Project”.

The ULI Projects

The ULI Subterranean Pressurized Lithium Brine Project is located in Grand County, Utah within the Paradox Basin. The project consists of 89 mineral claims covering 720.3 hectares. During the 1960’s, numerous oil  wells  were  drilled  in  the  region  and encountered over pressurized brines in a unit of the Pennsylvanian Paradox Formation named the Clastic Zone 31. Most wells were not analyzed for lithium, but 2 holes within 1km of the south end of the claims (Long Canyon No.1 and Robert’s Well) were tested for lithium. These tests showed lithium values of 1,700 and 500 ppm, and averaged at  1100ppm Li.  It should be noted  that the unusually high lithium values were reported from wells that were drilled close to the Robert’s Rupture geological formation which runs through the Project claims. In addition, magnesium, bromine, boron and iodine were found to be in high concentrations. This data was obtained from sources that the Company believes are reliable but the Company has not done any work to verify this data.

JV Terms

Anson may earn up to 70% of the ULI Project, held by Voyageur Minerals Inc. a subsidiary of the Company, by undertaking exploration activities. Upon earning the 70% interest, Anson has the option to purchase the remaining 30% of the Project, which if exercised will see Voyageur retain a 3% gross overriding royalty.

Anson currently holds a 10% interest in the ULI Project and can earn further interests upon completing the following:

• 40% by defining the location(s) for one or more drill holes, issuing a NI 43-101 technical report, and expending US$666,000; and

• A further 20% by drilling and logging one or more holes, issuing an updated NI 43-101 technical report, and expending US$2,330,000.

About Voyageur Minerals

Voyageur is a Calgary based company which owns 100% interest in three Barium Sulfate ("Barite") deposits including two properties which initial work suggests are suitable in grade for the industrial barite market place, and interests in a high grade lithium brine project in Utah, USA. Voyageur's business plan is to develop its barite deposit at Frances Creek, BC, Canada, for potential near term cash flow, while it continues exploration for critical and strategic minerals.

Qualified Person Statement

The Company’s qualified person as defined by NI 43-101, Mr. Randy Henkle, has reviewed this news release and approved it.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements relating to the Qualifying Transaction, including statements regarding the acquisition of future assets, the discovery and commercialization of commercial quantities of industrial minerals, the successful commercialization of the Company’s assets, expected operational activities, other statements that are not historical facts. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not occur, which may cause actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future performance or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the risk that the assets do not provide commercial quantities or grades of marketable minerals, that even if they do contain commercial quantities of marketable minerals that the Company will not be able to economically produce such discoveries, the existence of commercial grades of commercial minerals, timing of obtaining required approvals,  state of the economy in general and capital markets in particular, investor interest in the business and future prospects of the Company.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the expectations of, or statements made, by third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.

Brine testing flowsheet

For further information, please contact John Rucci President & CEO (403) 383-8588 jucci@voyageurminerals.ca Steven R. Livingston VP Finance (403) 471-1659 steve@voyageurminerals.ca