Acquires Longnose Titanium Deposit
posted on
Jan 06, 2009 12:28PM
Advancing World Class Iron Assets
January 6, 2009 |
Cardero Acquires Longnose Titanium Deposit, NE Minnesota, USA |
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 6, 2009) - Cardero Resource Corp. ("Cardero" or the "Company") (TSX:CDU)(NYSE Alternext US:CDY)(FRANKFURT:CR5) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an option agreement to earn up to an 85% interest in the Longnose Titanium-Iron deposit located in northeast Minnesota, United States of America. The deposit was previously acquired and evaluated by BHP Billiton who stated, in 1992, that the Longnose deposit is "unique and the largest, highest grade resource of ilmenite (FeTiO3) in North America." The Longnose Deposit is an excellent fit for Cardero's expanding advanced project pipeline allowing the Company to leverage its considerable in-house expertise toward maximizing shareholder value, as demonstrated by the recent agreement for the sale of the Pampa de Pongo Iron deposit in Peru for USD 200 million. Located on the western margin of the Duluth Complex near the Mesabi Iron Range in northeast Minnesota, Longnose enjoys considerable infrastructural advantages, as it lies within 2 kilometres of rail access and less than 100 kilometres from the port of Duluth. It also compliments Cardero's recently acquired TiTac deposit, which is located 40 kilometres to the south and only 60 kilometres from Duluth. It is Cardero's aim to investigate and consolidate a number of similar titanium-iron deposits in north-eastern Minnesota. Historical studies at Longnose focussed on production of titanium (ilmenite) concentrate as a saleable product. Cardero will utilise its iron team's expertise to build and improve upon this extensive high-quality work by evaluating improved recovery of titanium from ilmenite and titaniferous-magnetite together with pig iron production as a second revenue stream. Project Background Longnose was discovered in the early 1980's as part of a regional copper-nickel exploration program using geophysical methods. A diamond drill campaign, metallurgical studies and resource estimates were also undertaken by Westmont Mining Inc. (NICOR Mineral Ventures Inc.). In 1991, the project was acquired by BHP Minerals International Inc., who stated that Longnose is "the largest known resource of (over 46% TiO2) ilmenite in North America," and, further that "more deposits could be found using a combination of geophysical prospecting and drilling." The Longnose Oxide-bearing Ultramafic Intrusion ("OUI"), intruded into the Duluth Complex, has (on surface plan) an oval shape and is approximately 750 metres x 425 metres and at least 150 metres thick, although the true extents of the intrusion will only be determined by further drilling. Most of the known Longnose OUI is mineralized to some extent. Oxides in the intrusions typically comprise coarse-grained ilmenite (iron-titanium oxide) and titanium-bearing magnetite. Thick intervals of massive oxide mineralization (up to 30 metres thick) are present in the Longnose deposit. Eleven diamond drill holes have been completed in and around the Longnose deposit by the Company's predecessors in title, with six in the south-east portion intersecting mineralization to a depth of over 90 metres. Mineralization begins at surface and the eastern side of the deposit is open along strike and at depth. Current modelling indicates that the deposit may thicken close to a potential feeder or emplacing structural zone. The excellent potential to further expand the known deposit was a key driver in this acquisition. Longnose Historical Resource Estimate In a 1992 internal report entitled "Longnose, Minnesota Prospect Summary Report", BHP Minerals International Inc. (a subsidiary of Broken Hill Proprietary Company, a precursor to BHP Billiton Limited (the world's largest mining conglomerate)), the author of the report estimated a resource for Longnose of 27.57 million tonnes (30.36 million short tons) at a grade of 21.3% titanium oxide (TiO2), which he classified as a "probable reserve". This historical estimate was based on results from 8 of the 11 diamond drill holes drilled into the deposit by Westmont Mining Inc., and the results of mineralogical testing and SEM analysis, as well as Ti02 recovery rates, for the ilmenite concentrate produced by Westmont. EurGeol. Mr. Keith J. Henderson, Cardero's Vice President-Exploration and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the available data, and believes that the historic resource estimate was carried out in a professional and competent manner and that the estimated resource most closely responds to the NI 43-101 category of "indicated resources". This historical resource estimate is considered relevant by the Company, both for the purposes of the Company's decision to acquire the property and to guide the Company in formulating an exploration program for the property. However, the Company cautions that both the BHP report and the included resource estimate were prepared before the introduction of NI 43-101, and are therefore historical in nature and the Company is not treating such resources as a current resource under NI 43-101. Investors are further cautioned that a qualified person has not yet completed sufficient work to be able to verify the historical resources, and therefore they should not be relied upon. Existing Infrastructure The project is located approximately 100 kilometres north of Duluth, near the town of Hoyt Lakes and less than 10 kilometres from the historical Erie Iron Mine (production commenced in 1957), which was part of the large-scale taconite (iron ore) mining operations of the Mesabi Iron Range. Polymet Mining Corp.'s NorthMet copper-nickel deposit is located only 5 kilometres to the north. A rail spur is located less than 2 kilometres from the Longnose deposit and a 138KVA electricity transmission line runs 5 kilometres to the north. Port facilities near Duluth allow easy export access to the Great Lakes system. The history of mining and the desire for increased mining activity in the area makes this region ideal for future mineral resource development. The state of Minnesota is supportive and actively promotes mining and exploration. Processing & Metallurgical Testing Pickands-Mather, Hazen Research and the Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) completed beneficiation and metallurgical testing of samples of the Longnose mineralization. Grinding, gravity concentration, magnetic concentration and electrostatic methods were all tested and conceptual flowsheets designed. This extensive initial work indicates that TiO2 recoveries average 78.1% to produce a 46.4% TiO2 concentrate. As with all initial metallurgical test-work, improved recoveries can be anticipated with additional focused work. Future Work The Company is presently designing an initial work program for Longnose. The program will include definition and exploration drilling, and additional recovery tests for concentrate production. Cardero will also complete an updated and 43-101-compliant resource estimate. All historical studies at Longnose focussed on production of a saleable titanium concentrate, and Cardero will not only advance these studies further, but will also evaluate the potential recovery of titanium from ilmenite and titaniferous-magnetite together with pig iron production as a second high-value revenue stream. Agreement with The Morley Group Inc. Pursuant to an agreement dated November 26, 2008 and accepted on December 8, 2008 between Cardero Iron Ore Company Ltd. and Raymond L. Morley (on behalf of The Morley Group Inc.) ("Morley"), the Company, through Cardero Iron Ore (USA) Inc. (its wholly owned subsidiary) has been granted the option to acquire up to an 85% interest in the interest of Morley in certain existing mineral leases, and in a lease to be entered into, covering 100% of the fee mineral rights (approximately 200 acres) located in St. Louis County, Minnesota just north of the town of Hoyt Lakes. The Company can earn an initial 70% interest by incurring cumulative expenditures of USD 1,850,000 over 4 years to December 8, 2012 (USD 100,000 before December 8, 2009) and a payment of USD 50,000 to Morley on or before August 15, 2009 (and each an every August 15th thereafter) to be used by Morley to make the annual USD 50,000 advance royalty payment due to the underlying landowners. The Company can earn an additional 15% interest (85% overall) by delivering a feasibility study (no time limit for delivery). Upon the Company having earned a 70% or 85% interest, Morley can elect to convert its interest to a 10% net profits interest (if the Company elects not to earn the additional 15% interest) or a 5% net profits interest (if the Company elects to earn the full 85% interest). If Morley does not so elect, upon the Company having earned its 70% or 85% interest, as applicable, the Company and Morley will enter into a joint venture, with each party being responsible for its pro rata share of all joint venture expenditures. If a party to the joint venture is diluted to a 10% or lesser interest, such interest will be converted to a 2.5% net profits interest. Titanium Background Titanium metal is consumed primarily in the commercial and military industries. The most basic form of titanium metal is Titanium Sponge, although titanium ingots and titanium oxide (TiO2) are also important industrial products. Applications for light, non-magnetic and corrosion resistant titanium metal are being increasingly identified - titanium has the highest strength-to-density ratio of any metal. Titanium use in aerospace, trucks, heavy vehicles, medicine, chemical processing and general industry is on the increase. Just as new markets for titanium have opened up, the supply of titanium has tightened considerably and high grade ore bodies are considered to be a strategic resource. While the prices of titanium ingots and sponge have recently declined, there have also been several recent price increases for titanium dioxide (used primarily in the paint, coatings, plastics and paper industries). Qualified Person EurGeol Mr. Keith J. Henderson, Cardero's Vice President-Exploration and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for this news release. Mr. Henderson is not independent of the Company as he is an employee and holds common shares and incentive stock options. The work programs in Minnesota are being designed, and will be supervised, by Keith J. Henderson, Cardero's Vice President-Exploration, who is responsible for all aspects of the work, including the quality control/quality assurance program. Metallurgical test work will be undertaken by Natural Resources Research Institute's (NRRI's) Coleraine Minerals Research Labs (CMRL), Minnesota, and the work will be designed and supervised by Glen Hoffman and Dr. Jayson Ripke of Cardero Iron Ore Management (USA) Inc. NRRI follow international (ISO) and North American (ASTM) procedures where such procedures exist for highly specialized test work. About Cardero Resource Corp. Cardero's focus through 2009 will be to realise the considerable value it believes is locked in the Company's significant iron ore assets in the Marcona District of southern Peru and in Minnesota, USA. The common shares of the Company are currently listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (symbol CDU), the New York Stock Exchange Alternext-US (symbol CDY) and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (symbol CR5). For further details on the Company readers are referred to the Company's web site (www.cardero.com), Canadian regulatory filings on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and United States regulatory filings on EDGAR at www.sec.gov. On Behalf of the Board of Directors of CARDERO RESOURCE CORP. Hendrik van Alphen, President |