GUELPH, ON, Dec. 8 /CNW/ - Dr. Gene Shelp, President of Enpar
Technologies Inc. ("ENPAR"), is extremely encouraged with the Phase 1
laboratory results from testing of the company's patented ExtrEL Technology,
which represents an electrochemically-enhanced hydrometallurgical process.
Over the past 6 months ENPAR has evaluated the ExtrEL system for
recovering nickel from sulphide material grading up to 1.2% Ni. To date, the
company has achieved very positive results, with up to 77% of the nickel
converted into a soluble form within a 5-hour leaching cycle. The soluble
nickel will be subsequently recovered as nickel metal using conventional
solvent extraction and electro-winning processes. The high nickel recovery is
complemented by relatively low operating costs, with electricity costs for the
reactor being $0.38 per kilogram of nickel recovered.
Nickel currently trades at USD $5.98 per pound or USD $13.17 per
kilogram. Given the promising results, the ExtrEL Technology represents a very
cost effective process for recovering the nickel from sulphide minerals.
However, the company cautions that more work and testing is required before
firm conclusions can be made about the potential commercialization of this
process.
Phase 2 of the project is scheduled to begin in January 2006.
Optimization of the leaching process will be completed over a 3-month period.
The results of Phase 2 will be used to design a pilot unit for relatively
large-scale testing.
ENPAR regrets to report that Canadian Golden Dragon Resources Ltd.
("Dragon") has failed to meet its obligations to ENPAR as required under the
terms of the ENPAR/Dragon ExtrEL agreement. Consequently, all rights to the
ExtrEL Technology have reverted to ENPAR.
ENPAR Technologies, Inc., headquartered in Guelph, ON is a publicly
traded company listed on the TSX - Ventures Exchange (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.
