Initial Flotation Results for the Canariaco Norte Copper Deposit

VANCOUVER, BC - Candente Resource Corp. reported that preliminary metallurgical results for copper flotation indicate good recoveries and commercially viable concentrate grades.
Initial locked cycle flotation testing on the Canariaco Norte copper deposit yield copper recoveries of 81% to 89%. A feasibility level testing program for flotation will now proceed to investigate the significant opportunities for improvement of the metallurgical performance from the initial flotation testing. Results for gold and silver recoveries as by-product metals are pending.
Thomas R. Rinaldi, VP Operations, states, "These initial results are very encouraging and demonstrate that the various styles of copper mineralization at Canariaco are amenable to conventional flotation techniques."
Results from initial bottle roll leach test work are variable and less conclusive. Leach test work including column leach is ongoing to determine whether leaching is optimal on a stand alone basis or in conjunction with a conventional flotation circuit.
SRK Consulting is now working on a new resource estimate for Canariaco Norte based on the 57,355 metres (m) drilled in 203 holes as of December 31st 2007. The additional drilling has extended the deposit both to the northeast and to the south and much deeper. Higher grades have also been encountered especially in the northern half of the deposit. SRK will also be re-optimizing a new potential Starter Pit with a view to generating a higher average grade. The Starter Pit previously optimized for a leach scenario was based on both grade and chalcocite content. Given that flotation recoveries are similar for chalcocite and chalcopyrite, a Starter Pit for a flotation scenario will be based on grade alone.
The company's address is Suite 200, 905 West Pender Street, Vancouver, BC V6C 1L6, (604) 689-1957, fax: (604) 685-1946, email: [email protected], www.candente.com.