Nov 24 2010
Torch River Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:TCR) (FRANKFURT:WNF) (PINK SHEETS:TORVF) has announced re-assayed geochemical analysis results identifying Rare Earth Elements, which were previously above measurement limits on its 100% owned Mount Copeland mineral tenures comprising 1,318 hectares and located 25 km northwest of Revelstoke, BC.
The Mt. Copeland property history includes underground excavation (1970-73) that produced 169,729 tonnes and recovered 2,625,046 pounds (1,190,713 kilograms) of molybdenum (Mo). When the Copeland Mine went into production in 1970, development work, diamond drilling, mapping, & sampling indicated there were 163,340 tonnes @ 1.09% Mo.
REE's are presently in short supply, and their values are high and increasing. Their uses are varied; however, they are essential in manufacturing activities such as: electronics, batteries, high tech uses, strong magnets, TV screens and microwave transmission.
Fieldwork was previously detailed in Torch River's press release of November 2, 2010.
The samples are from two areas of REE bearing mineralization occurring in the East Glacier Zone (e.g. rock chip sample COPE10AR-20) and the Marble Breccia Ridge Zone (e.g. rock chip sample COPE10AR-22). The rock chip sample for AR22 was taken over an interval of 70 cm in length. The East Glacier and Marble Breccia Ridge Zones are about 600 meters apart, but they occur on the same stratigraphic horizon and may be part of an extensive REE bearing mineral zone which trends under the glacier.
AR20 contains over 13% Cerium (Ce) and the rock chip sample was taken over a length of 18 cm. Cerium is used in pigments, catalytic converters and in the polishing of optical components amongst other varied uses.
AR20 also contains over 10% Lanthanum (La) which is used as a catalyst for cracking oil and also in batteries where, for example, each Toyota Prius contains 20 to 40 pounds of Lanthanum.
Management is very encouraged by results of rock and soil samples containing elevated REE's on Mt Copeland where total REEs on AR20 were 26.13% and AR22 were 4.13% (the approximate oxide percentages would be 30.5% and 4.8% respectively). The company is planning a drilling and trenching program which will focus on exploration and development targeting REE's, Nb, Y, Zr, Ti, and Mo bearing mineral zones. Soil/rock chip sampling and interpretation of data for Torch River Resources was carried out under the supervision of Andris Kikauka, P. Geo., a Qualified Person with respect to National Instrument 43-101 and who has also reviewed this release.
Source: Torch River Resources Ltd.