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TSX symbol: ACX
Berlin-Bremen Stock Exchange symbol: A0HMLE
Frankfurt Freiverkehr (WKN A0HMLE) A5C
VANCOUVER, June 16 /CNW/ - Ascendant Copper Corporation ("Ascendant" or the "Company") (TSX:ACX) is pleased to announce that through a wholly-owned subsidiary it has entered into a master services agreement ("Agreement") with Tetra Tech Inc. ("Tetra Tech"), an international provider of technical and engineering services, for the preparation of a definitive feasibility study for the Zonia copper project located in Yavapai County, Arizona.
Under the terms of the Agreement, Tetra Tech will be directly responsible for the coordination and assembly of all information needed for a definitive feasibility study. Components of the Tetra Tech program include studies relative to ground water quality and protection, geo-technical studies, drilling as needed to produce an updated resource estimate and mine plan, comprehensive metallurgical analyses, and infrastructure and final site layout. The target for completion of this work and the resulting feasibility study is first quarter of 2009.
"This Agreement marks a major step in the near-term development of the Zonia project," said Gary E. Davis, President and CEO of Ascendant. "Our objective is to begin producing 20 million pounds of copper per year from Zonia in 2010 based on solvent extraction / electro-winning (SXEW) processing technology."
The Zonia project consists of 3,322 acres of patented and unpatented claims in the Walnut Grove Mining District, with easy access to power and paved roads. The project was operated between 1966 and 1975 producing approximately 33 million pounds of copper using heap leaching followed by the cementation process.
Over 100,000 feet of drilling of approximately 450 holes has been performed on the property in the past with the majority of the geologic material from this drilling available for sampling, re-assaying and re-logging. In October, 2006, Scott Wilson Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. prepared a National Instrument 43-101 compliant inferred resource estimate of 63 million tons of material at a copper grade of 0.37% (using a 0.25% cut-off grade).
To date, Tetra Tech has made several site visits, begun work on an existing computer model of the resource, commenced analysis of historic water quality data, developed a testing regimen for final metallurgical studies, and assisted in the design of confirmatory and geotechnical drill programs. Currently, a provisional site layout is being developed to guide additional engineering, permitting, and geotechnical studies.
About Tetra Tech
Tetra Tech (www.tetratech.com), a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: TTEK), is a leading provider of consulting, engineering, and technical services with approximately 8,500 associates and 275 offices worldwide. Tetra Tech's services include engineering design, program management, construction management, construction, operations and maintenance, research and development, and applied science and technology,.
About Ascendant
Ascendant Copper Corporation is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing a portfolio of copper exploration projects with a primary emphasis on the development of its near-term producing copper properties in the Americas. The Company intends to continue to expand its existing resource base in the Americas through acquisition of additional properties of merit.