VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 22, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HUDSON RESOURCES INC. (“Hudson” or the “Company”) (TSX Venture Exchange “HUD”; OTC “HUDRF”) is pleased to announce results of independent metallurgical testwork conducted on the high-grade Nukittooq niobium-tantalum project in Greenland which is owned 100% by Hudson Resources Inc. The testwork, conducted by SGS Canada Inc. in its Lakefield, Ontario facility, under the supervision of Hudson’s senior consulting metallurgist, John Goode, achieved a niobium (Nb) concentrate assaying 55.3% Nb2O5 at a 66.6% global recovery along with 65% of the tantalum (Ta).
A Composite sample used in the metallurgical test program assayed 22.3% Nb2O5 and 0.3% Ta2O5. The Composite sample was comprised of thirty-five samples collected from the Nukittooq project in September 2020 which averaged 19.35% Nb2O5 over 112 meters (see NR2020-15). The Nukittooq deposit has some of the highest reported niobium assays in the industry.
QEMSCAN analysis indicated that the Composite sample consisted of pyrochlore (37.3%) (including traces of tentatively identified columbite), aegirine (33.3%), K-feldspars (21.9%), biotite (5.4%), and trace amounts of other minerals (ca. 2%). The major gangue elements in the Composite sample were 36.7% SiO2, 11.5% Fe2O3, and 4.27% K2O. Rare earth minerals (REM) including synchysite/parisite and bastnaesite were also present in trace amounts.
Jim Cambon, President commented: “We are very encouraged by the success of the metallurgical program and the ability to produce a very high-value niobium-tantalum concentrate with recoveries in line with or above current producers. Our goal is to define significant tonnage and rapidly advance the project where we can ship a concentrate out of Greenland for toll processing. We will continue to advance the metallurgical program and plan to commence a drill program in 2022 to outline economic tonnages along the 500m strike length of this exciting target.”
The metallurgical testwork methods conducted by SGS demonstrated the following:
- Wet high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS)
- Conducted at 5,000 Gauss on the Composite sample ground to 80% passing 144 µm removed 48% of the aegirine with 8.5% niobium loss. K-feldspar generally followed pyrochlore to the non-magnetic products.
- Gravity concentration
- This showed limited effectiveness. However, the use of WHIMS together with a Mozley shaking table on the non-magnetic fraction showed some promise. A combined niobium concentrate assaying 55.6% Nb2O5 at 47.6% global recovery was produced.
- Flotation
- Seven open-circuit flotation tests were performed on stage-ground and deslimed feed material. These tests examined a number of procedures, depressants and collectors. SGS’s extensive experience with pyrochlore flotation allowed rapid development of a circuit comprising WHIMS for early rejection of aegirine followed by rougher flotation using a blend of Aero6494+F3900+Pb2+ which selectively floated pyrochlore from K-feldspar.
- The rougher concentrate was divided into coarse and fine fractions and separate roughing and cleaning systems, using an amine collector, applied to each stream. The combined niobium concentrate contained 55.3% Nb2O5 at 66.6% global recovery.
- Seven open-circuit flotation tests were performed on stage-ground and deslimed feed material. These tests examined a number of procedures, depressants and collectors. SGS’s extensive experience with pyrochlore flotation allowed rapid development of a circuit comprising WHIMS for early rejection of aegirine followed by rougher flotation using a blend of Aero6494+F3900+Pb2+ which selectively floated pyrochlore from K-feldspar.
Hudson owns 100% of the high-grade Nukittooq niobium-tantalum project and the Sarfartoq rare earth element (“REE”) project which are both located on the Sarfartoq exploration license in southwestern Greenland. The Sarfartoq REE project has a 43-101 indicated and inferred resource outlining 35,000 tonnes of neodymium oxide plus praseodymium oxide, the two key components in permanent magnets driving the green revolution. The Nukittooq niobium-tantalum project has some of the highest reported niobium assays in the industry with potential to extend the strike length of this largely unexplored target. Hudson also has a 31.1% equity interest in the White Mountain anorthosite mine and rights to acquire 100%.
J.R. Goode, P. Eng., is a Qualified Person, as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and reviewed the preparation of the metallurgical and technical information in this press release.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
“Jim Cambon”
President and Director
For further information:
Ph: 604-628-5002
Forward-Looking Statements
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This News Release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”.
Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to complete the Offering on the terms or on the timeline as announced or at all, an inability to predict and counteract the effects of COVID-19 on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of COVID-19 on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
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