Multiphase Pilot Plant Program Commences To Produce Zinc Sulfate

TORONTO -  Nevada Zinc Corporation reported the engagement of Hazen Research, Inc., to conduct a multiphase pilot program to develop a flowsheet to recover zinc sulfate monohydrate using a bulk sample from the Company's Lone Mountain zinc project, produce commercial grade zinc sulfate monohydrate product samples, and provide process plant capital and operating cost estimates.

Nevada Zinc will provide a bulk sample from its Lone Mountain project site in Eureka County, Nevada. The scope of work, which will commence this month, will be conducted in four main phases:

1. Preliminary assessment and review of recovering and purifying zinc from the bulk sample containing zinc carbonate and silicate mineralization. A conceptual flowsheet will be generated based on the review and findings; 2 The conceptual flowsheet steps will be carried out on a small scale to establish the efficacy of the proposed unit operations and to develop target conditions for each step; 3 A bulk operation will be conducted to produce approximately 150 lbs. of a commercial grade zinc sulfate monohydrate product (ZnSO4·H2O); and 4 An economic evaluation of the production process will be performed to provide estimates for both process plant capital costs and operating costs.

Max Vichniakov, President and CEO, said, "We are very excited by our progress with the Lone Mountain zinc project and the engagement of a reputable firm like Hazen. The level of work to be carried out by Hazen amounts to a small-scale pilot plant demonstration and will further de-disk our project on the processing side. This program will allow us to produce zinc sulfate bulk samples to showcase to the industry as well as our strategic partners and also help us to determine process plant operating and capital costs. North American agricultural markets have been experiencing an upbeat momentum with rising crop and crop input prices over the recent months and showing positive demand outlook. In this market environment, we believe Nevada Zinc is uniquely positioned to capitalize on its integrated "mine, process, end-user product" strategy in the zinc sulfate products markets for the US agricultural sector. The pilot program represents a significant milestone for Nevada Zinc and further advances our highly prospective Lone Mountain zinc project."