Leaching technology with anticipated low cost and significant environmental benefits receives initial patent approval

Jan. 13, 2011 (Canada NewsWire Group) --

GUELPH, ON, Jan. 13 /CNW/ - ENPAR Technologies Inc. ("ENPAR" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that   the Company has been granted a patent for its ExtrEL Leaching Technology by the Patent Office of the Republic of South Africa. This state-of-the-art, environmentally friendly technology appears to be a cost effective method for the extraction of nickel from mining mill sulphide waste. The successful implementation of this novel technology has the dual benefit of low cost nickel recovery and reduces the impact of acid mine drainage (AMD). AMD is identified as one of the most serious environmental issues facing the mining industry today.

The current patent will remain in effect for a term of twenty (20) years, and management anticipates near-term patent approvals from several other jurisdictions including Australia, Canada, Russia, South America and United States.

Based on recent laboratory test results, ENPAR anticipates that the ExtrEL Leaching Technology will achieve greater than 90% recovery of nickel from sulphide waste materials similar to those located in the Sudbury nickel mining camp. Following completion of the second phase of the hydrometallurgical circuit optimization program in 2011, the Company plans to conduct pilot-scale tests of the system. Given ready access to nickel sulphide tailings deposits in Canada and elsewhere, commercial implementation of the ExtrEL Technology by mining companies could lead to significant cost savings and profits.

Mill sulphide tailings, which are comprised predominantly of iron and sulphur, represent an environmental liability to the industry due to the generation of AMD. The environmental impacts of AMD can last for decades or perhaps centuries. It is reported that the mining industry in Canada spends in excess of $100 million annually on control measures, with potential, long-term liabilities estimated at several billion dollars. Following completion of the optimization program, ENPAR anticipates that the ExtrEL System will provide nickel sulphide mining operations with a technological cost effective solution to mitigate the effects of AMD. It is expected that, in addition to the recovery of iron, sulphur and other metals, the system will produce relatively low volumes of environmentally stable residual material.

ENPAR believes that successful application of the ExtrEL Technology has the potential to provide the mining industry with an operationally efficient method to reduce environmental liability and burdensome costs currently associated with the long-term management of tailings.

ENPAR is a "Technology Company" applying its patented and proprietary "Electrochemical Technologies" to the treatment of waste water and drinking water contaminated by metals or nutrients i.e., nitrate/ammonia associated with the mining, metal processing, chemical, agricultural, municipal and waste management sectors. At present, ENPAR holds a total of 20 patents and has submitted an additional 18 patent applications related to six distinct technologies. The common shares trade on Tier ll of the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "ENP".

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the "safe harbour" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause ENPAR Technologies Inc. results to differ materially from expectations. These include risks relating to market fluctuations, property performance and other risks.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof.