assays indicate extensive vanadium

Sydney - Tuesday - January 15: (RWE Australian Business News) -
Western Desert Resources Ltd (ASX:WDR) reports assays from its Burt
Plain drilling program near Alice Springs indicate extensive vanadium
enrichment over an area of about 9 sq km.
The drilling program on the Capricorn Prospect within EL 25338
was completed on November 17.
All assay results have now been received and these show a "very
encouraging" enrichment in vanadium associated with magnetite in all of
the holes.
Drill core samples from the holes were analysed for a suite of
elements. The results show enrichment in vanadium with weak associated
cobalt, nickel and barium values.
Better vanadium intersections:
* DD07BP01 - 143m at 533ppm V2O5 (includes 8m at 971ppm V2O5);
* DD07BP02 - 35m at 443ppm V2O5 and 60m at 471ppm V2O5;
* DD07BP03 - 120m at 452ppm V2O5 and 75m at 445ppm V2O5;
* DD07BP05 - 15m at 516ppm V2O5 and 25m at 485ppm V2O5; and
* DD07BP06 - 185m at 486ppm V2O5.
Vanidiferous magnetite occurs in a number of gabbroic igneous
bodies throughout the world, including the Windimurra deposit in WA.
"Although the grade of the intersections reported from the Burt
Plains drilling is sub-economic, the fact that the vanadium
mineralisation occurs in such widely spaced drillholes is encouraging,"
managing director Mr Norm Gardner said.
He said further exploration might include detailed airborne
magnetic surveys to delineate zones of increased magnetite content which
could host economic vanadium grades.
Vanadium is used in metal alloys to produce high-strength steel.
In recent years there has been no vanadium production in
Australia, whilst prices have fluctuated up to $US20 per lb V2O5.