Bekem Metals, Inc. Announces Selection of Nickel Processing Technology
08 Septiembre 2008 - 5:30PM
PR Newswire (US)
ALMATY, Kazakhstan, Sept. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Bekem Metals
Inc. (OTC:BKMM) (BULLETIN BOARD: BKMM) announced that it has
completed initial pilot testing of various technologies for
processing nickel ore from its Kempirsai deposit. The testing was
conducted in the United Kingdom, Russia and Kazakhstan. The Company
has also received final pre-feasibility study reports (PFS). The
Company has spent the past several years analyzing and pilot
testing a number of nickel processing technologies. The most recent
pilot testing and the PFS were performed in respect to the
following technologies: -- Hydrometallurgical technologies -- hot
acid and heap leaching; and -- Pyrometallurgical technologies --
rotary kiln with electric furnace (RKEF) with AC and DC furnaces
and liquid bath furnace (Vanyukov Process). The primary objective
of pilot testing and commissioning the PFS was to identify an
effective and efficient nickel processing technology in terms of
capital expenses and operating cost, nickel recovery and
input-output volatility parameters. Based on the results of
testing, the PFS reports and other factors, such as economics and
funding, the Company intends to focus on the Vanyukov Process for
further development of the Kempirsai deposits and construction of a
nickel processing plant in Aktobe region, Kazakhstan, subject to
obtaining the necessary capital financing. The Vanyukov Process,
first developed in the 1940's in Russia, is capable of treating
oxide nickel ores to form either a nickel matte (by addition of a
sulphur containing compound such as pyrite) or directly to form a
ferronickel alloy containing up to 20% nickel. Potential advantages
of using the Vanyukov Process compared to the other processing
technologies considered include: -- lower capital expenditure
requirements; -- lower operating expenses; -- reduced environmental
impact; -- longer periods between equipment repairs; -- replacement
of electrical energy for smelting with coal and/or natural gas; and
-- simplified process flow sheet. Small pilot scale tests conducted
in the first half of 2008 on Kempirsai ore utilizing the Vanyukov
Process technology demonstrated recovery of more than 90% of the
nickel, i.e. more than 90% of the nickel contained in the ore
samples was recovered in the ferronickel alloy. Commenting on the
PFS reports and the results of the pilot scale testing, Yermek
Kudabayev, the Company's president, stated, "We are excited by the
positive outcome of the Vanyukov Process. We are focused on
obtaining capital funding to begin work on the design of a nickel
processing plant utilizing the Vanyukov Process and a construction
schedule. We believe it will take about two years to construct a
plant." The PFS have involved several independent experts including
well-known western companies like Wardell Armstrong International,
GBM, PB Power and leading Russian institutes -- Moscow Institute of
Steel and Alloys and Gipronickel. The Company is engaged in the
exploration for commercial deposits of nickel, cobalt and other
minerals in Kazakhstan. The Company maintains administrative
offices in Almaty, Kazakhstan and Salt Lake City, Utah. The
information contained in this release includes forward-looking
statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially. Certain statements
contained herein constitute forward-looking statements within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks,
uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual
results, performance or achievements of the Company to be
materially different from those expressed or implied.
Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
including but not limited to, such risks as the sufficiency of
funds, implementation of business plans and other risks described
in the Company's periodic reports on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. DATASOURCE: Bekem Metals, Inc. CONTACT: Yermek
Kudabayev of Bekem Metals, Inc., +7 (7272) 582 386
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