Tuesday, April 22, 2008 1:23:50 PM
Tuesday April 22, 1:08 pm ET
Initiates Additional Metallurgical Testing
NI 43-101 Resource of 953Mt @ 44.7% Iron and 0.12% Copper
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(MARKET WIRE)--Apr 22, 2008 -- Cardero Resource Corp. ("Cardero" or the "Company") (Toronto:CDU.TO - News)(AMEX:CDY - News)(Frankfurt:CR5.F - News) is pleased to announce it has received from Rio Tinto Exploration a copy of a positive metallurgical test report on two samples from the Pampa de Pongo iron deposit. The object of the 1996 metallurgical study ("Study"), conducted by Met-Chem Canada Inc. on behalf of RTZ Mining & Exploration, was to investigate the feasibility of producing a pellet feed chemically suitable for Direct Reduction pellet manufacture and, if suitable, to evaluate the resulting pellets on a laboratory scale. The test results from the study indicated that the iron material from Pampa de Pongo is suitable for the production of Direct Reduction grade pellets. In order to provide independent verification of these positive results, Cardero has initiated testing of a larger sample of Pampa de Pongo mineralization.
Pellet Feed Production
Following investigation of conventional beneficiation techniques (screening, magnetic separation and flotation) it was demonstrated that the Pampa de Pongo mineralized material could be concentrated up to 66-69% iron through a simple Low Intensity Magnetic Separation (LIMS) process, with the remaining gangue (waste) material consisting of 2.5-3.0% magnesium oxide (MgO) and 0.5-1.5% sulphur (Figure 1, to view, please click the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/cdu0422.pdf). Concentrates were obtained through 3 passes in a magnetic separator and recoveries are described by Met-Chem as excellent. Concentrates showed a high magnetite content that normally results in low energy consumption in the firing process. Results are as follows:
Table 1: Initial Sample and Concentrate Chemical Composition
Sample 1 (4B/9B) Sample 2 (4B/4B)
Head Grade Concentrate Head Grade Concentrate
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Fe % 56.2 69.0 53.0 66.7
SiO2 % 5.42 0.55 6.19 0.84
Al2O3 % 1.66 0.69 2.17 0.92
MgO % 8.00 2.60 9.62 2.89
S % 1.84 0.54 2.37 1.51
Fe3O4 % 64.3 82.5 61.0 80.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------
ADVERTISEMENT
Pelletizing Tests
Pellets produced from Sample 1 were of good quality and strength, meeting normal commercial specifications without further work. The pellets exhibited extremely low clustering indexes, which is highly desirable in the natural gas based Direct Reduction processes. Sample 1 contained a slightly higher than normal percentage of MgO but this did not affect the quality of the pellet produced. Additional slagging in the EAF (Electric Arc Furnace) can reduce the MgO content, however the high MgO content of the metalized pellet can be an advantage in the steelmaking process as most EAF refractory linings are MgO based, and the slag routinely needs to be conditioned to have 10-14% MgO so as to mitigate slag line refractory erosion.
Concentrate from Sample 2 contained higher MgO and higher sulphur content than Sample 1. The pellets produced from Sample 2 were weaker due to higher sulphur content in the concentrate. In this case, Met-Chem suggested that further test work, including a finer grind and more sophisticated flotation reagents, should further improve the concentrate chemistry. Requirements for further work are typical of early-stage metallurgical test work and Cardero is confident that elevated MgO contents can be addressed through process flowsheet optimization. The pellets exhibited extremely low clustering indexes, which is highly desirable in the Direct Reduction process. Samples 1 and 2 were mixed with 0.8% bentonite, pelletized and fired. The fired pellet chemical compositions were as follows:
Table 2: Fired Pellet Chemical Composition
Sample 1 Sample 2
(4B/9B) (4B/4B)
--------------------------------------------
Fe % 66.9 66.6
SiO2 % 0.81 1.22
Al2O3 % 0.74 0.95
MgO % 2.61 2.91
S % less than 0.01 0.01
--------------------------------------------
It was concluded that the strength and reduction properties (reducibility, linder and clustering) of the pellets are well within the acceptable range for typical commercial products. Additional processing steps would be required to reduce the sulphur content of sample 4B/4B.
Future Work
The metallurgical study reported here provides an important indication that Pampa de Pongo iron ore will be suitable for production of Direct Reduction grade pellets. The test work was conducted on small quantity of sample and Cardero has now initiated a follow-up study, which will test larger samples and independently verify the positive results presented here. It is believed that the final product can be further improved, resulting in even better pellets, by additional processing steps, such as regrinding of the concentrate prior to pelletizing.
Laboratory Details
The metallurgical testing was completed by Met-Chem Canada Inc. of Montreal, Quebec, Canada in 1996 on behalf of RTZ Mining and Exploration with the objective of determining whether quality direct reduction pellets could be produced from iron ore samples. Laboratory work was completed by CRM (Centre de Recherche Minerale) of Sainte-Foy, Quebec, Canada. Two samples were analysed weighing 36 and 38 kilograms, respectively.
"We are extremely pleased with the results of this metallurgical test work, which demonstrates the viability of producing Direct Reduction grade pellets from the Pampa de Pongo iron ores" stated Henk Van Alphen, Cardero's President & CEO. "We have known for some time that we have a world class deposit at Pampa de Pongo and now we have the first indications that a high value DR pellet can be produced, which adds considerable value to the asset."
Recent FE News
- Northeast Ohio Balloon Festival Attendees Can Learn Important Electrical Safety Tips at Live Demo • PR Newswire (US) • 09/16/2024 06:33:00 PM
- Settlement Reached in FirstEnergy Pennsylvania's Rate Review that Supports Enhanced Service Reliability and Customer Assistance Programs • PR Newswire (US) • 09/16/2024 02:30:00 PM
- Form 144 - Report of proposed sale of securities • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/12/2024 09:19:14 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 09/12/2024 09:15:55 PM
- FirstEnergy Announces Settlement Agreement with U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission • PR Newswire (US) • 09/12/2024 09:13:00 PM
- Electric Vehicle Charging Incentives Available for Some N.J. Residents • PR Newswire (US) • 09/10/2024 04:09:00 PM
- New Transformer Installed and Energized in Downtown Lebanon Substation • PR Newswire (US) • 09/05/2024 06:00:00 PM
- Electric Grid Enhancements Coming for Northern and Central New Jerseyans • PR Newswire (US) • 09/03/2024 06:38:00 PM
- Work Underway to Enhance Electric Service Reliability for Residents and Businesses in Morgan County Area • PR Newswire (US) • 08/22/2024 06:40:00 PM
- Power System Upgrades Underway to Enhance Electric Service for West Virginia Residents and Businesses • PR Newswire (US) • 08/21/2024 06:45:00 PM
- JCP&L at Forefront of Protecting Endangered Species in New Jersey • PR Newswire (US) • 08/16/2024 06:23:00 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 08/13/2024 12:28:53 PM
- FirstEnergy Resolves Proceedings with Office of the Ohio Attorney General and Office of the Summit County Prosecutor • PR Newswire (US) • 08/13/2024 12:27:00 PM
- FirstEnergy Releases Community-Specific Estimated Restoration Times; Power Now Restored to Nearly 90% of Illuminating Company Customers Impacted by Historic Storm • PR Newswire (US) • 08/11/2024 03:57:00 PM
- Crews Make Progress Restoring Power to Customers Following Historic Storms • PR Newswire (US) • 08/10/2024 04:15:00 PM
- State Fair of West Virginia Visitors Can Learn Important Electrical Safety Tips at Live Demo • PR Newswire (US) • 08/09/2024 04:43:00 PM
- More Than 6,000 Workers Engaged in Restoring Power Around the Clock for Northeast Ohio Customers • PR Newswire (US) • 08/09/2024 02:54:00 PM
- Preparations Underway for Remnants of Tropical Storm Debby in FirstEnergy's Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and West Virginia Service Territories • PR Newswire (US) • 08/08/2024 06:08:00 PM
- Thousands of Personnel Engaged in FirstEnergy's Power Restoration Effort in Northeast Ohio • PR Newswire (US) • 08/08/2024 04:18:00 PM
- Crews Working 24/7 to Restore Power to FirstEnergy Customers Following Severe Thunderstorms • PR Newswire (US) • 08/07/2024 04:36:00 PM
- Form 10-Q - Quarterly report [Sections 13 or 15(d)] • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/30/2024 08:53:44 PM
- Form 8-K - Current report • Edgar (US Regulatory) • 07/30/2024 08:45:25 PM
- FirstEnergy Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results • PR Newswire (US) • 07/30/2024 08:40:00 PM
- FirstEnergy Corp. Declares Common Stock Dividend of $0.425 Per Share • PR Newswire (US) • 07/24/2024 05:20:00 PM
- Smart Grid Enhancements Underway on Electric System in York and Adams Counties • PR Newswire (US) • 07/22/2024 05:05:00 PM
VHAI - Vocodia Partners with Leading Political Super PACs to Revolutionize Fundraising Efforts • VHAI • Sep 19, 2024 11:48 AM
Dear Cashmere Group Holding Co. AKA Swifty Global Signs Binding Letter of Intent to be Acquired by Signing Day Sports • DRCR • Sep 19, 2024 10:26 AM
HealthLynked Launches Virtual Urgent Care Through Partnership with Lyric Health. • HLYK • Sep 19, 2024 8:00 AM
Element79 Gold Corp. Appoints Kevin Arias as Advisor to the Board of Directors, Strengthening Strategic Leadership • ELMGF • Sep 18, 2024 10:29 AM
Mawson Finland Limited Further Expands the Known Mineralized Zones at Rajapalot: Palokas step-out drills 7 metres @ 9.1 g/t gold & 706 ppm cobalt • MFL • Sep 17, 2024 9:02 AM
PickleJar Announces Integration With OptCulture to Deliver Holistic Fan Experiences at Venue Point of Sale • PKLE • Sep 17, 2024 8:00 AM