Nouveau Monde Announces Scoping-Level Metallurgical Results From Its Matawinie Graphite Property - Tony Block
GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - Oct 22, 2015) - Nouveau Monde Mining Enterprises Inc. ("Nouveau Monde") (TSX VENTURE:NOU)(OTC PINK:NMGRF)(FRANKFURT:NM9) is pleased to announce scoping-level metallurgical results from 13 samples collected over the Tony claim block during its ongoing drilling and trenching program. This claim block is part of the Matawinie graphite property, located in the Saint-Michel-des-Saints area, some 130 km north of Montreal, Québec, Canada.
METHODOLOGY
Of the 13 samples, 7 were collected at surface while 6 were generated by splitting drill core. The samples, weighing approximately 10 kg each, were submitted to SGS laboratories in Lakefield, Ontario, for metallurgical evaluation. The goal of the tests was to generate graphite concentrates from various locations on the property and thereby to assess the metallurgical response of the ore throughout the project area to typical crushing, grinding and flotation processes employed in the industry. A parallel objective was the characterization of the concentrates in regards to carbon grade and recovery, as well as graphite flake size distribution. The trials are to assist in the selection of the most promising mineralized zones where economic studies would be initiated and future work focused. No thermal or chemical purification was carried out on the flotation concentrate and no optimization attempts were performed during these metallurgical tests.
RESULTS
The table below (table 1) summarizes the metallurgical test results. Sample locations are illustrated on a property map that can be downloaded using the following link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ai2g1oovg5rg6e/PR_Tony_Block_20151021.pdf?dl=0
| Table 1. Concentrate Flake Size Mass Distribution (%) and Total Carbon Grade (Ct %) |
| Drill Core | +48 mesh (Jumbo) | +80 mesh (Large) | +150 mesh (Med) | -150 mesh (Fine) | Head Grade | ||||
| Samples | Ct %* | Distribution | Ct %* | Distribution | Ct %* | Distribution | Ct %* | Distribution | (Ct %)* |
| SE-1 | 98.6 | 26.2 | 98.2 | 34.0 | 97.5 | 18.4 | 95.8 | 21.4 | 5.55 |
| SE-2 | 96.4 | 25.9 | 94.8 | 32.5 | 92.5 | 20.3 | 88.5 | 21.3 | 5.51 |
| SW-1 | 96.5 | 18.5 | 96.1 | 33.8 | 94.9 | 21.7 | 92.3 | 26.0 | 6.50 |
| SW-2 | 96.7 | 13.0 | 97.1 | 33.3 | 95.7 | 25.5 | 93.8 | 28.2 | 4.26 |
| SW-3 | 97.9 | 8.5 | 97.1 | 32.7 | 96.5 | 24.8 | 95.8 | 33.8 | 4.40 |
| E-1 | 98.5 | 26.0 | 97.4 | 34.5 | 96.9 | 19.1 | 95.1 | 20.5 | 4.32 |
| Surface Samples | |||||||||
| SE-3 | 96.4 | 19.0 | 95.6 | 34.8 | 94.3 | 24.1 | 85.7 | 22.0 | 5.55 |
| SW-4 | 96.2 | 20.0 | 95.9 | 37.2 | 94.5 | 21.2 | 91.3 | 21.7 | 7.23 |
| SW-5 | 97.6 | 19.2 | 96.9 | 37.5 | 95.4 | 22.2 | 91.4 | 21.1 | 4.93 |
| E-2 | 98.5 | 20.2 | 98.5 | 35.1 | 97.8 | 22.4 | 91.2 | 22.4 | 6.85 |
| NE-1 | 97.6 | 13.1 | 96.7 | 30.2 | 95.8 | 26.0 | 89.9 | 30.7 | 7.87 |
| N-1 | 96.9 | 40.3 | 96.7 | 28.6 | 95.2 | 13.8 | 93.5 | 17.3 | 7.50 |
| W-1 | 96.2 | 12.4 | 96.1 | 31.6 | 94.8 | 28.0 | 91.9 | 28.0 | 6.07 |
| * | Total carbon measured by LECO SC632 for grades greater than 30% total carbon and LECO CS844 for grades less than 30% total carbon. |
Results above reveal a coarse flake size distribution and high purities of the graphite concentrates, especially since no optimization testing was performed. According to the test results, it appears that surface samples are more oxidized than those from drill core, thus requiring process optimization. Drill core inspection suggests that surface alteration varies only from about 0.3 m to 1.5 m in depth.
Eric Desaulniers, Geo, President & CEO of Nouveau Monde stated: "These results exceed those of most known graphite exploration projects in terms of flake size distribution and grade of the concentrate using similar test parameters. The favorable metallurgy, coupled with the imposing mineralization widths and grades observed over the property to date (see press releases from September 29th, 2015 and September 10th, 2015), further demonstrate the potential of the property. Nouveau-Monde is committed to provide a first resource calculation of its graphite project over the Tony block by year-end. "
FUTURE METALLURGICAL WORK
Further work on the graphite recovery process is planned, with an emphasis on optimizing the flake size distribution and purity of the fine to medium flake sizes.
Moreover, ten tons of graphite ore from the Matawinie project will be processed next month at an independent facility in order to produce sufficient concentrate to assist our ongoing development program of added-value graphite products and deliver material to end-users.
The technical information in this news release was prepared by Eric Desaulniers, Geo, MSc, president and CEO of Nouveau-Monde and reviewed by Oliver Peters, MSc, P.Eng, MBA, Consulting Metallurgist for SGS and Principal Metallurgist of Metpro Management Inc. Both are qualified persons under National Instrument 43-101.
Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) has in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed transaction or approved or disapproved the contents of this press release.
Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated by such statements. Nouveau Monde will not update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof. More detailed information about potential factors that could affect financial results is included in the documents filed from time to time with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities by Nouveau Monde.
Contact
Eric Desaulniers, M.Sc., P.Geo.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Nouveau Monde
(819) 923-0333
edesaulniers@nouveaumonde.ca