Uranium Recoveries in Excess of 99% Using Ion Exchange (IX) Technology Upon Uranium-Loaded Acid Solutions From the Leaching of the Macusani Uranium Ores, Puno, Peru
TORONTO, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 09/01/10 -- Macusani Yellowcake Inc. (the 'Company') (TSX VENTURE: YEL) (FRANKFURT: QG1) is pleased to announce the results of metallurgical tests associated with the Company's continued pre-feasibility studies on the uranium mineralization hosted by the Macusani rhyollites in Puno, Peru. Uranium recoveries in excess of 99% were achieved using ion exchange (IX) technology on uranium-loaded acid solutions from the leaching of Macusani uranium ores.
Macusani's President, Peter Hooper, stated that 'The metallurgical results we have released today coupled with the previous recovery results from column leach testing clearly demonstrates that uranium from our Macusani Plateau properties can be produced very efficiently and cost effectively.'
After positive leaching of the uranium in leaching columns (see February 3, 2010 press release) the loaded acid solutions were transported to Cwenga Laboratories in Johannesburg, South Africa, for ion exchange (IX) metallurgical testing.
The metallurgical IX tests have been able to successfully extract uranium from the leaching solutions obtained from Macusani, Puno, Peru. The initial test work revealed that various ion exchange resins were able to load uranium from these solutions. After a selection process, two grades were chosen for column loading tests.
The uranium was loaded onto the selective ion exchange resin using two columns in series. At the first pass, a recovery of 80% was obtained. After the final column, 98% of the remaining uranium was removed, for a grand total of 99.6% recovery. Essentially, all the dissolved uranium can be removed by this selected ion exchange process.
The uranium was eluted from the resin using a weak acid environment. Excess sulphate was removed by liming and precipitation of gypsum, with was filtered off. The resultant filtered solution was reacted with various reactants in order to produce a precipitate of uranium oxide. After filtering and drying, a product was obtained, commercially known as 'Yellow Cake' - see photograph at http://macyel.com/images/yellowcake.jpg.
At this stage, the metallurgical ion exchange concentration and elution are well understood and the process of optimization continues. A demonstration plant is in initial design stages.
Qualified Person
Mr. Alex Mitchell, BSc (Hons), CEng, MIMMM, Principal Metallurgist with GBM Mining Engineering Consultants Limited, an independent consultant, is the Qualified Person, as defined under National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed the scientific and technical data contained in this release.
About Macusani Yellowcake
Macusani Yellowcake Inc. is a Canadian uranium exploration company with over 24,000 hectares (240 km2) of mineral properties in southeastern Peru, on the Macusani Plateau. The shares are traded on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'YEL' and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol 'QG1'.
There are 59,881,284 common shares of Macusani Yellowcake Inc. outstanding.
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements concerning the future performance of Macusani's business, operations and financial performance and condition, as well as management's objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions. Forward-looking statements are frequently identified by such words as 'may', 'will', 'plan', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'intend' and similar words referring to future events and results. Forward-looking statements are based on the current opinions and expectations of management. All forward-looking information is inherently uncertain and subject to a variety of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, including the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development, fluctuating commodity prices, competitive risks and the availability of financing, as described in more detail in the Company's recent securities filings available at www.sedar.com. Actual events or results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements and Macusani cautions against placing undue reliance thereon. Neither Macusani nor its management assume any obligation to revise or update these forward-looking statements.
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Macusani Yellowcake Inc.
Peter Hooper
President
(416) 360-3402
peter@macyel.com
www.macyel.com