TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 16, 2012) - Energizer Resources Inc. (TSX:EGZ)(OTCBB:ENZR)(FWB:YE5) ("Energizer" or the "Company") is pleased to announce updated preliminary results from exploration programs on its Green Giant, and Malagasy Minerals Limited ("Malagasy") (ASX:MGY) Joint Venture (JV) properties in Madagascar. Assays received to date from the Phase I exploration program, have yielded drill intersections assaying up to 6.24% carbon (C) over 118.6 metres in length, and trench assays up to 7.11% C over 106 metres in length. Reconnaissance exploration work conducted by Malagasy Minerals has identified disseminated to massive graphite on the JV property assaying up to 71.94% C. Highlights of the updated exploration findings are as follows, with a complete summary of assays provided on the Company's website:
Green Giant Property
JV Property
Assay Results Support the Development of a Graphite Camp
Energizer's 2011 Phase I and Phase II exploration programs were designed to delineate new graphitic trends in southern Madagascar, and to empirically test them in preparation for a resource delineation program planned for the spring of 2012. The analytical results received to date, cover only a fifth of surficial grab samples, a quarter of diamond drill core, and roughly two thirds of trench samples sent for graphitic carbon analysis, but are of a sufficient tenor for the Company to believe they validate the potential of delineating a flake graphite camp in southern Madagascar.
118.6 Metres of Graphite Mineralization Intersected in Drill Core from the Fondrana Zone
The Company has not yet received a complete set of assay results from its Phase I exploration program conducted over the Green Giant Property in September, 2011. The most recently received assays, however, have increased the previously reported drill intercept of 61.4 metres at 7.46% C in drill hole FOND-01, to 118.6 metres of 6.24% C. A total of 6 holes were drilled in the Fondrana Zone, with assay results only available for the first hole.
Assay Results Received for 12 Trenches, Including 7.11% C over 106 Metres
Of the 22 trenches completed over the course of the Phase I and Phase II exploration programs, only assay results from 1 Fondrana trench, and 11 Fotsy trenches have been received. All trench assays empirically confirm the continuation of graphite mineralization to surface. Trenches emplaced within the Fotsy Zone intersected multiple graphite horizons, with highlights including the following:
The trench assay results received for the graphite mineralization intersected in the Fondrana Zone verify the graphite mineralization intersected in drill core (i.e. 6.24% C over 118.6 m from FOND-01) extends to surface over a similar width. Specifically, the FOND-TH-11-02 trench intersected the following:
Graphite to 71.94% C Identified on JV Property
Malagasy Minerals has reported to Energizer that while exploring during the Fourth Quarter of 2011 over the JV Property, their geologic consultants discovered 'heavily disseminated to massive graphite' that assayed up to 71.94% C. The following description was taken from Malagasy's December 2011 Quarterly Report:
Samples of massive and disseminated flake graphite were discovered during the Quarter and submitted to Intertek for determination of carbon content and to Pontifex and Associates for determination of flake size and general petrological description.
Intertek reported 71.94% Carbon (C) and 12.52% C for the massive and disseminated specimens respectively, which is at least comparable to if not better than the material from the former graphite mines near Ampanihy, where material collected from stockpiles and dumps assayed from 11.44% C to 54.02% C.
Pontifex (Pontifex and Associates Pty. Ltd., Australia) reported flake size as commonly 0.5mm wide x 1.5mm long, with approximately 1/3 being 1.0mm wide and 6mm long for the massive graphite sample; and up to 20% graphite as single flakes, 0.1 to 0.3mm, more commonly as composites to 5mm for the disseminated sample.
The testwork indicates that both the grade of the graphite and the flake size are within commercial specifications and the newly located graphite vein is considered to have economic potential. It should be noted that this graphite locality now falls into the Energizer Joint Venture area.
Next Steps
After all graphite analyses are received, Company geoscientists will determine which of the 17 graphitic zones identified on the Green Giant and JV properties warrant further drilling in the spring of 2012, with the intention of delineating a NI 43-101 compliant indicated graphite resource by Q3. In order to facilitate an accelerated exploration timeline, the Company has submitted samples to multiple laboratories for metallurgical analysis, and will endeavour to expedite the metallurgical process throughout its exploration programs.
About Graphite
Graphite is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and has the highest natural strength and stiffness of any material. It maintains its strength and stability to temperatures in excess of 3,600°C and is very resistant to chemical attack. At the same time it is one of the lightest of all reinforcing agents and has high natural lubricity. The U.S., who is a 100% importer of graphite, has joined China and the European Union in classifying graphite as a critical strategic material.
Graphite Markets
New & Emerging Uses for Graphite
Traditional Uses for Graphite
Tight Supply
The China Factor
Robust Demand
Pricing
The Bottom Line
Qualified Person
Craig Scherba, Senior Vice President Exploration and Operations for Madagascar, P.Geol., is the qualified person for the technical information provided in this release.
About Energizer Resources
Energizer Resources Inc. is a mineral exploration and development company based in Toronto, Canada, which is developing its 100%-owned Green Giant Vanadium Project located in Madagascar. The Green Giant vanadium deposit is one of the largest known vanadium deposits in the world. In addition to the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:EGZ), the Company's common shares trade on the U.S. Over-The-Counter Bulletin Board under the symbol, ENZR, and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol, YE5.
We seek Safe Harbour: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results could differ materially from expectations and projections set out herein.
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