VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 25, 2007 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- White Mountain Titanium Corporation (OTCBB:WMTM) reports that it has recently completed a 16 hole NQ diamond drilling campaign, totaling over 2,900 meters, at its Cerro Blanco titanium project in Region III of northern Chile. The principal objectives of this campaign were to increase resources in central portion of the main zone as well as to test new target areas to the south and south-west. Core recoveries in excess of 95% were achieved in the majority of holes drilled.
Split core samples were sent to SGS Lakefield Research in Ontario, Canada, for on-going metallurgical testing, and whole-core geotechnical testing is being carried out in respect of rock mechanics for mine planning purposes. Results from these tests will be available in the coming weeks.
Planning and execution of the latest drilling campaign was closely linked to previous metallurgical test work in that the principal focus was to target titanium resources which would upgrade competently and yield a high grade TiO2 concentrate from conventional flotation. After an extensive evaluation of historic data, Company geologists devised and are now utilizing an ore ranking system, MR1 ("Mine Rank 1") through to MR4, with ranks MR1 and MR2 producing the best, and most commercially acceptable chemical product specifications. Of the 16 drill holes, the table below shows the most significant results available from analysis to date, and highlights the combined MR1 and MR2 intercepts.
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Hole # From (m) To (m) Width (m) % TiO2
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CB-26 Total MR1 + MR2 267 2.24
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Including 36 78 42 3.48
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81 123 42 3.10
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CB-14 Total MR1 + MR2 168 2.52
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Including 3 54 51 2.50
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60 138 78 2.77
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CB-27 Total MR1 + MR2 156 2.47
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Including 96 144 48 3.74
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144 222 78 2.03
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CB-17 Total MR1 + MR2 143 2.24
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Including 33 123 90 2.30
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147 200 53 2.14
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Data from the latest drilling campaign is currently being input into a geological model and this model, together with ongoing technical work, will be integrated into a resource model over the course of the next few weeks.
White Mountain's President and CEO, Mr. Michael Kurtanjek, commented on the results saying, "The latest round of drill results has reinforced our confidence in Cerro Blanco. Titanium mineralization starts very close to surface and extends over long intercepts, both offering the potential for low mining costs. Not only do we have good results in the central portion of the main zone of Cerro Blanco, but the potential for further resource development to the south and south-west is significant. White Mountain will continue to seek additional titanium resources within our concession area."
White Mountain expects to undertake further geological and metallurgical work in the coming months, results from which will be incorporated in an engineering pre-feasibility study. Furthermore, a pilot plant operation to generate vital engineering data ahead of commercial production is planned as soon as sufficient process information becomes available from SGS Lakefield Research. As previously reported, Executive Management and the Company's marketing team are meeting with buyers of high grade rutile concentrate to gauge the potential demand for Cerro Blanco product and will be in discussions with TiO2 specialists at the Intertech Titanium Conference in February, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. For more information, please contact:
Michael Kurtanjek, President +56 2 231-5780 Brian Flower, Chairman (604) 408-2333
The OTC BB has not reviewed or does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and, therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.