I-Minerals Achieves +90% Halloysite Concentrations
March 05 2014 - 9:00AM
Marketwired
I-Minerals Achieves +90% Halloysite Concentrations
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Mar 5, 2014) -
I-Minerals Inc. (TSX-VENTURE:IMA)(OTCQX:IMAHF) (the "Company") is
pleased to announce it has received very favorable preliminary
results from Ginn Mineral Technology (GMT) from pilot-scale work
designed to optimize the process equipment separation techniques to
increase the grade (concentration) of I-Minerals' halloysite
product. Several gravity and density separation methods and a novel
differential flotation technique were evaluated. All of the methods
evaluated significantly increased the concentration of halloysite.
The differential flotation process ultimately yielded halloysite
concentrations in excess of 90% based upon visual estimations from
Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEMs).
In late 2013 I-Minerals excavated a bulk sample of approximately
seven tons of crude primary clay from a near surface area of
Kelly's Hump identified during drilling in November 2013 (see
I-Minerals press releases of October 2 and November 27, 2013). SEM
work at the University of Idaho identified this area as containing
strong halloysite concentrations within the primary clay that
consists almost exclusively of K-feldspar, quartz, kaolinite, and
halloysite. Upon receipt of the bulk sample in late 2013, GMT
completed initial separations of the sand fraction (K-feldspar and
quartz) and the clay fraction (kaolinite and halloysite). The sand
fraction material has subsequently been shipped to Minerals
Research Laboratory at North Carolina State University ("MRL") for
separation and evaluation of the quartz and K-feldspar
minerals.
After the initial pilot-scale trials separated the clay
fraction, GMT undertook additional trials to separate and
concentrate halloysite and kaolinite clay products. The halloysite
concentration trials focused on three separation elements: (1)
unique clay characteristics such as relative density and
morphology, (2) processing equipment options and (3) critical
physical and chemical processing parameters. A novel, differential
flotation process was also developed that exploited halloysite's
unique clay characteristics for optimized concentration.
Product samples derived from the trials were submitted to one of
GMT's partners, The Georgia Tech Research Institute, for SEM
analysis. The samples were prepared using a "wet-oriented"
technique that allowed for more objective sample population viewing
when compared to the regular dry preparation techniques. The wet
dispersion allows the particles to be more oriented and discrete
versus the dry preparation technique where particle agglomeration
is more prevalent.
The SEM photos using the new wet process preparation
demonstrated high quality and consistent concentrations of
halloysite in the product using the gravity optimized processing
configurations. The results from the differential flotation testing
proved to be even better and yielded extremely high halloysite
quality that exceeded 90% concentrations based on SEM
estimations.
"Historic halloysite analysis by Durtec GmbH has indicated the
halloysite from our Helmer-Bovill property has very low heavy
metals content and one of the best aspect ratios of any halloysite
tested," commented Thomas Conway, President and CEO of I-Minerals.
"These latest result now indicates we can produce at pilot levels a
high concentration product of one of the highest quality
halloysites known. We believe these results open the door even
wider for high value life sciences and polymer applications."
Work at GMT on this material is continuing in order to
investigate options for product color enhancement, as well as
producing another sample of metakaolin derived from the kaolinite
product fraction. Going forward, the flotation processing technique
will be further evaluated for implementation into the process flow
scheme as a high grade product option.
Gin Mineral Research is a private research and development firm
located in Sandersville, GA. They have mineral and technology
expertise, with notable industrial mineral emphasis, in separation
and dewatering technologies, particle sizing, surface chemistry,
thermal processing, and pigment calcination.
A. Lamar Long, CPG, is a qualified person ("QP") for I-Minerals
Inc. and has reviewed and approved the contents of this
release.
In an unrelated matter, I-Minerals has completed the debt
settlement agreement announced February 14, 2014, pursuant to which
$215,439.20 of indebtedness was satisfied by the issuance of
1,001,112 common shares at a deemed price of $0.2152 per share, all
of which shares are subject to a hold period in Canada until July
5, 2014.
About I-Minerals
I-Minerals is developing multiple deposits of high purity-high
value halloysite, quartz, potassium feldspar and kaolin at its
strategically located Helmer-Bovill property in western Idaho. A
2013 Prefeasibility Study completed by SRK Consulting (USA) Inc.
highlights the potential of the Helmer-Bovill property: after tax
NPV6 of $150 million; 28% IRR; 3 year payback and $67 million
initial CAPEX; $84 million CAPEX including life of mine sustaining
capital over a 26 year mine life. Ongoing development work is
focused on upgrading the probable reserve to a proven reserve as
the Company moves through the feasibility process towards
production.
I-Minerals Inc.
Thomas M. Conway, President & CEO
This News Release includes certain "forward looking statements"
within the meaning of the United States Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Without limitation, statements
regarding potential mineralization and resources, exploration
results, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward
looking statements that involve various risks. Actual results could
differ materially from those projected as a result of the following
factors, among others: changes in the world wide price of mineral
market conditions, risks inherent in mineral exploration, risk
associated with development, construction and mining operations,
the uncertainty of future profitability and uncertainty of access
to additional capital.
NEITHER THE TSX-VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES
PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE
TSX-VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR
ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.
I-Minerals Inc.Barry Girling877-303-6573 or
604-303-6573info@imineralsinc.comwww.imineralsinc.com
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