Aurelian Reports Enhanced FDN Metallurgical Results and Progress on Conceptual Development Plan

About this update from Tesoro Minerals Corp.

[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nTrading Symbol TSX:ARU\n\n\nTORONTO, July 17 /CNW/ - Aurelian Resources Inc. (TSX:ARU) today\nannounced results of metallurgical testing for the Fruta del Norte (FDN)\ngold-silver deposit. The results are a significant improvement over earlier\ntests reported as part of the initial FDN resource estimate in October 2007\nand provide more options to enhance the project development and operation.\n\n\n"The recent metallurgical testing has provided even better results than\nanticipated," says George Bee, Chief Operating Officer. "We received higher\ngravity recoveries, which were expected given the large amount of visible gold\nin FDN core. In addition, the new results offer greater flexibility in plant\ndesign, since more than 50% of the anticipated mill feed will not need any\npre-oxidation treatment prior to leaching, whereas the initial studies assumed\nthat 100% would require oxidation. This should result in reduced capital\ninvestment and lower process costs for FDN."\n\n\nPatrick Anderson, President and CEO comments, "Our engineering team has\nbeen making good progress with the Conceptual Development Plan for FDN. Once\nwe have more clarity regarding the fiscal and regulatory landscape in Ecuador,\nwe'll be well-positioned to reinitiate work in the field focusing on the fast\ntrack development of the project. The draft mining law continues to navigate\nthe required approvals in the Ecuadorian government and is currently with\nPresident Correa and his advisors."\n\n\nMetallurgical test work was initiated in April 2008 at G&T Metallurgical\nServices Ltd. of Kamloops, British Columbia, on 1,200 kg of whole core drill\nsamples obtained from dedicated metallurgical test holes at FDN. The samples\nrepresent the four geologically distinct zones of the FDN deposit within the\nPhase 1 development area slated for initial production. As anticipated, the\nlarger, more representative samples revealed a weighted average gravity\nrecovery of 34%, an improvement of 25% from the earlier test program results\non smaller samples.\n\n\nTest work shows that crushing, grinding and gravity recovery with Carbon\nin Leach (CIL or leaching), "were quite favourable, especially for Zone 3 and\n4." A gravity concentration plus flotation, followed by leaching of flotation\ntailings "indicate that fo...

More updates from Tesoro Minerals Corp.