|
News Releases
| | July 20, 2005
San Acacio Project Update: Material Processed, Permit Received
|
| | Wallace, Idaho July 20, 2005 (Business Wire): Sterling Mining Company (OTC: SRLM) is pleased to review progress at its San Acacio project in the Zacatecas State of Mexico.
Metallurgical Testing and Initial Processing of Material
Sterling took 30 grab samples in April 2005 from an area comprising 93,000 tons of material from dumps and backfill; the samples were assayed by a local assayer, S. Arellano and Company of Zacatecas Mexico returning an average grade of 7.07 silver ounces per ton. Metallurgical tests including agitated leach tests and percolation tests resulted in similar grades, and recoveries ranging for 57% to 79%.
Based on these results, Sterling utilized two VATS at its Baroness Plant to test the results of processing material from San Acacio property. 600 tons of material was processed resulting in an average grade of 5.4 ounces silver per ton and a recovery of 67%. The resultant precipitate has been stockpiled at the plant
Further tests are being conducted as the results to date indicates that in addition to the planned Phase expansion of the Baroness Plant, that a second plant may be constructed on the Baroness property, a proposed "Melina" plant.
Material from the San Acacio dumps is processed through crushing equipment and screens, transported and stockpiled at the Baroness Plant.
Melina Plant
In May 2005 the government approved plans and the environmental impact statement for the proposed "Melina" plant to be constructed at the nearby Baroness property to process Material from the backfill and dumps from San Acacio.
As part of an initial scoping study planned for 2005, Sterling will review the economics and engineering design of the Melina Plant, which has been approved for a daily processing capacity of 667 tons per day.
Rehabilitation
Sterling has initiated an underground rehabilitation program at the San Acacio project to gain better access to underground workings through the construction of manways and other rehabilitative measures.
Scoping/Engineering Study
Sterling intends to have completed in 2005 a scoping/engineering study on both the processing of surface and near surface material from the San Acacio project, as well as recommendations for the development of production from underground at the site.Sterling's President, Ray DeMotte, stated "The positive results from recent testing of San Acacio material process at our Baroness Plant indicates the possibility for a significant increase in production from surface and near surface material and the ongoing potential of underground production from the San Acacio Mine. Previous operator drilling of only 600 meters of the estimated 4,000 meter strike length indicates the potential for expanding resources at the property."
Sterling Mining Company controls the legendary Sunshine Mine, the richest silver mine in American history with more than 360 million ounces of production over the past century. Sterling offers investors superior leverage to silver price increases through its extensive portfolio of "Silver Valley" landholdings in Idaho and through strategic alliances and equity stakes in neighboring companies. The Company also holds several advanced properties in Mexico, including the Baroness Tailings Project in the Zacatecas silver district, which it plans to bring into production. Sterling stock trades on the OTC Market Exchange under the symbol "SRLM". Please visit the Sterling website at www.sterlingmining.com for more information.
Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements are based on beliefs of management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expected results.
For more information contact:
Sterling Mining Company
Raymond De Motte, (208) 666-4070
www.sterlingmining.com
Investors Relations Contacts:
Cavalcanti Hume Funfer Inc. (CHF Inc.)
Olav Svela, Vice President & Account Manager,
Tel: (416) 868-1079 ext: 242
olav@chfir.com
Cathy Hume, CEO
Tel: (416) 868-1079 ext.: 231
cathy@chfir.com
If you would like to receive press releases via email contact Heather Colpitts (heather@chfir.com) and specify "Sterling press releases" in the subject line. |
| |
| | You can view the Next News Releases item: Fri Aug 19, 2005, Sterling Mining Company Announces Additional Property Acquisition in Northwest Montana
You can view the Previous News Releases item: Fri Jun 24, 2005, Sterling Mining Company Appoints Michael Mooney as Corporate Secretary
You can return to the main News Releases page, or press the Back button on your browser.
|
|
