Curis reports updated copper recovery results at Florence Copper

VANCOUVER, Oct. 11, 2012 /CNW/ - Curis Resources Ltd. (TSX: CUV) ("Curis" or the "Company") announces updated results for laboratory test work performed on metallurgical samples for the Florence Copper property in Arizona.

Highlights of these In-Situ Recovery ("ISR") tests include the following:

• 16 ISR tests have been completed with copper extraction ranging from 33 percent to 89 percent and an average copper extraction of over 61 percent.

• Optimal copper test extractions of over 70 percent were achieved by using mid-range (10 g/l) H₂SO₄ concentrations, which is consistent with earlier test work by both Curis and BHP Copper.

The economic model presented in the September 2010 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for the Florence Copper project utilized average total copper recoveries of 49 percent.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of this next phase of critically important metallurgical test work at Florence Copper" stated Dan Johnson, Vice President of Technical Services and Environment with Curis.  "These results further confirm that there is tremendous potential to improve on the copper recoveries from historical estimates, and on the overall robust economics indicated in the PEA for this world-class in situ copper recovery project."

The goal of the on-going ISR test program is to represent a cross-section through a typical mineralized block in the deposit, and simulate in-situ treatment of the Florence Copper mineralized resource by allowing recovery solutions to flow horizontally through intact pieces of drill core using a specially designed laboratory apparatus.  The test program was designed by metallurgical specialist Dr. Terry McNulty.

Dr. McNulty stated: "I remain convinced that the core box approach [used by Curis] toward ISR simulation is more realistic than the vertical column method that has been used in the past and that it will enable a reliable projection of well field performance."

The next step in the metallurgical testing program will be to have these results incorporated into an overall assessment of predicted ultimate copper recoveries.

Background

Metallurgical testing to confirm and improve on historical copper recovery estimates for the Florence Copper project began in June 2011 at Metcon Research of Tucson, Arizona.  Bottle roll test results on 16 initial samples from a 2011 core drilling program, along with laboratory scale ISR test results for four of these samples, were reported in the Curis press release dated February 23, 2012.  The results compared favorably to work completed by BHP Copper in the mid-1990s, as summarized in Curis' September 2010 PEA.  Test results for the remaining 12 ISR tests have now been received and are summarized here along with the four ISR tests that were reported earlier.

Detailed In-Situ Recovery Test Results

The following Table 1 provides details from the 16 ISR samples tested.

"These results suggest a mid-range sulfuric acid feed of between 8 - 10 g/L is likely to be optimal for the Florence Copper project to achieve maximum possible recoveries" commented Mr. Johnson.

The metallurgical test program is being supervised by Dr. Terry McNulty, P.E., of T. P. McNulty and Associates, Inc. of Tucson, Arizona who is a Qualified Person (QP) as defined by NI43-101 and has reviewed this disclosure.

About Curis

Curis Resources Ltd. is a mineral development company associated with Hunter Dickinson Inc., a diversified global mining company with a 25-year history of mineral development success. Curis is focused on the acquisition, development and operation of high-quality next-generation copper properties in progressive jurisdictions around the world. It is currently focused on advancing its 100% owned Florence Copper project in Arizona, USA to production.

For more information about Florence Copper, to sign up for news and updates and learn more about the project's projected economic  benefits to the local community, please go to www.florencecopper.com.

For further details on the Company, please visit www.curisresources.com or contact Susie Bell, Manager of Investor Relations, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114.

Michael McPhie
President & CEO

No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved of the information contained in this news release.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the company expects are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include fluctuations in market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary environmental, land use and other permits, approvals, licenses and title on a timely basis and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Curis Resources Ltd.