CHAMPION IRON MINES LIMITED (TSX:CHM)(OTCQX:CPMNF)(FRANKFURT:P02)
("Champion" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of
an Environmental Baseline Study completed by Roche Ltd. (Montreal,
QC) at its Consolidated Fire Lake North flagship project near
Fermont, Quebec. Results confirm that the West Pit and East Pit Run
of Mine ore and waste rocks are not acid generating in nature, nor
do they represent a risk during mining operation with respect to
heavy metals release.
These excellent results from the environmental characterization
of the ore and waste rocks were obtained as part of an overall
metallurgical testing program completed at the SGS Laboratories
(Lakefield, ON) for the Feasibility Study in-progress. The results
will benefit both capital and operating costs since no
geo-membranes will be required beneath the waste dumps nor will any
treatment of waste dump run-off water be needed. An additional
benefit will be realized from the use of waste rock for
construction of mine roads and associated mine and concentrator
infrastructure. Therefore, no specific quarry will be required to
generate the construction aggregates.
Representative samples of tailings were also subjected to trace
metal analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission
Spectroscopy / Mass Spectrometry and the corresponding liquid
fractions (decant solutions) were also characterized
extensively.
Acid Rock Drainage ("ARD") static tests and Metal Leaching
static tests were conducted on representative samples of waste
rock, ore, tailings, and concentrate. The ARD testing consisted of
Acid / Base Accounting and Net Acid Generation testing. Several,
generally accepted, leaching procedures were performed, including
the Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure (EPA Method 1311),
the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure (EPA Method 1312),
and the Distilled Water Leach Extraction (Quebec CTEU-9).
Waste Rock Results:
Static tests performed on representative samples indicate no
real potential to generate ARD, which is consistent with the very
low sulphide content coupled with the presence of alkaline-type
minerals that compose these rocks.
Based upon the Province of Quebec's Ministere du Developpement
durable, de l'Environnement, de la Faune et des Parcs (MDDEFP)'s
Directive 019 mine waste classification, the waste from the West
Pit was leachable for barium. However, barium concentrations in the
leachates were very low during the more representative kinetic
tests (longer term humidity cells), which were carried out on
composite samples from each of the West Pit and East Pit
deposits.
Kinetic tests also confirmed that the waste carried no real
potential to generate ARD as demonstrated by the resulting slightly
alkaline pH (+/- 8.0) of the leachates and the very low sulfate
concentrations. All metals (including Al, As, Be, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr,
Fe, Hg, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Se, Ti, V and Zn) showed very low
concentrations in the leachates collected.
Based upon these results, waste rock can be used for
construction (roads, dykes, etc.) and no special groundwater
protection measures (e.g. geo-membrane) will be required at waste
dump locations. Only suspended sediments could potentially be
present in the water percolating through the waste dumps and a
sedimentation pond will be sufficient for an effluent quality
control.
Ore and Concentrate Results:
Ore sent to the pilot plant was separated by gravity separation
and divided into concentrate and tailings. Both resulting products
showed similar metal content with the exception of iron, which was
obviously naturally more abundant in the concentrate. The ore and
the concentrate carry no potential to generate ARD, nor did they
release heavy metals through any of the leaching procedures.
These products can therefore be stockpiled without special
groundwater protection measures (e.g. geo-membrane). Only suspended
sediments could potentially be present in the water percolating
through either the ore or concentrate stockpiles and again,
sedimentation ponds would be sufficient for a control of the
effluent quality.
Tailings Results:
Tailings samples were also generated from the SGS-Lakefield
Pilot Plant test and showed that the tailings carry no real
potential to generate ARD, nor do they release metals into
solution. The liquid fraction of the tailings was slightly alkaline
(+/- 8.0) which is good, and showed low concentrations for all
analysed parameters.
On this basis, no special groundwater protection measures (e.g.
geo-membrane) will be required at the tailings impoundment area.
Moreover, no waste water treatment will be necessary to control
dissolved metals. A sedimentation pond will be sufficient to
control the water effluent quality.
Further to this, Champion is presently investigating possible
methods for transferring partially dewatered tailings to the
impoundment area to minimize the back-and-forth water transfer
between the concentrator and tailings pond.
Thomas Larsen, Champion's President and CEO, remarked, "We are
pleased to report results from the Environmental Baseline Study. It
clearly demonstrates that mining operations can be conducted at
Fire Lake North without negatively impacting the surrounding water
bodies and that appropriate steps are being taken at this study
level to minimize the impact of future mining activities as to
protect the local environment."
Selected results from each test described above can be found on
our website (www.championironmines.com).
About Champion Iron Mines Limited
Champion is an iron exploration and development company with
offices in Montreal and Toronto, and is focused on developing its
significant iron resources in the provinces of Quebec and
Newfoundland & Labrador. Champion holds a 100% interest in the
Fermont Iron Holdings and a 44% interest in the Attikamagen Iron
Project located in both Quebec and Labrador. The Attikamagen
Project is under option to Labec Century Iron Ore Inc. ("Labec"), a
subsidiary of Century Iron Mines Corporation, under which Labec can
earn up to a 60% interest.
Champion's Fermont Iron Holdings, including its flagship
Consolidated Fire Lake North Project, are located in Canada's major
iron ore producing district, in close proximity to five producing
iron mines. Consolidated Fire Lake North is located immediately
adjacent to and north of ArcelorMittal's operating Fire Lake Mine
and 60 km south of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.'s Bloom Lake Mine
in northeastern Quebec. Champion's team and advisory board includes
mining and exploration professionals with the mine operations
experience to build, commission, and operate the future
Consolidated Fire Lake North mine.
The technical information in this news release was prepared,
revised and approved by Yves Thomassin, Director of Mining
Projects-Environment from Roche and Mr. Jean-Luc Chouinard P. Eng.
M. Sc., VP Project Development for Champion Iron Mines. Mr.
Chouinard is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 standards.
For additional information on Champion, please visit our website
at www.championironmines.com.
This news release includes certain information that may
constitute "forward-looking information" under applicable Canadian
securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes, but
is not limited to, statements about planned operations at the
Company's projects, including its Fire Lake North Project.
Forward-looking information is necessarily based upon a number of
estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are
subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other
factors which may cause the actual results and future events to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by such
forward-looking information, including the risks identified in
Champion's annual information forms, management discussion and
analysis and other securities regulatory filings by Champion on
SEDAR (including under the heading "Risk Factors" therein). There
can be no assurance that such information will prove to be
accurate, as actual results and future events could differ
materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking
information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance
on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information
contained in this press release is given as of the date hereof and
is based upon the opinions and estimates of Champion's management
and information available to management as at the date hereof.
Champion disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise
any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new
information, future events or otherwise, except as required by
law.
This press release has been prepared by Champion Iron Mines
Limited and no regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the
information contained herein.
Contacts: Champion Iron Mines Limited Thomas G. Larsen President
and CEO (416) 866-2200 (416) 361-1333 (FAX) Champion Iron Mines
Limited Jorge Estepa Vice President (416) 866-2200 (416) 361-1333
(FAX) www.championironmines.com