Technical development work on aspects of the BioHeap(TM) Process continued during the quarter, with emphasis on further investigation of the benefits of the company's salt-tolerant strains of bacteria and on the generation of sulphuric acid leaches solution within the leaching heap by bacterial action on elemental sulphur, which is added to the ore prior to stacking. Both of these advances have the potential to provide major cost savings and thereby economic benefits to the overall process.
CHINA
During March, the Jinchuan Nickel Group of China hosted a four-man delegation from Titan Resources NL. Jinchuan confirmed its support and commitment to the BioHeap (TM) project and an Agreement was signed, committing both companies to the development of a full project feasibility study over the next twelve months. Jinchuan, agreed to make, and has subsequently paid, a cash contribution of US$150,000 towards Titan's expenditure on this project to date. As part of the same Agreement, Jinchuan committed to sourcing additional reserves and deposits of nickel ore to which the two companies can apply Titan's BioHeap(TM) Process. Preliminary studies suggest that there are substantial nickel resources in China that could be suitable.
CARR BOYD
Column test work on samples of ore from the Carr Boyd nickel deposit near Kalgoorlie was completed at the end of the quarter. These tests are considered a reasonable approximation of the outcome in a full-scale, heap leaching operation. Nickel recoveries into solution of over 90% were achieved, which is consistent with the results attained in the large-scale trials on Mt Sholl ore at Radio Hill.
CORPORATE
Cash at hand as at the end of the March quarter was $22 million following despatch of the last of the WA Government royalties and the North West Nickel Limited, Net Profit Interest payments from the Radio Hill mine.
W J Ryan MANAGING DIRECTOR
For further information on these matters and on Titan Resources NL in general please contact: Mr William J Ryan, MANAGING DIRECTOR, or Mr Flavio L Garofalo, COMPANY SECRETARY Telephone: 61 8 9481 6040 Facsimile: 61 8 9481 603
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