Elemental Minerals Announces Discovery of a Sylvinite Seam at Kola Grading Over 30% K2O (48% KCl)

PERTH, Australia, July 3, 2012 /CNW/ - Elemental Minerals Ltd. (ASX: ELM), (TSX: ELM) ("Elemental" or "the Company") is pleased to announce positive assay results from EK_38, the first of the 9-borehole (Phase 2B) drilling programme. In addition to the Upper and Lower Seams (which host the bulk of the existing Mineral Resources), EK_38 includes very high-grade sylvinite mineralisation in a newly identified seam (Hangingwall Seam) located approximately 50m above the Upper Seam.

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Intersections from EK_38 include:
• 2.46m at 30.58% K₂O (48.43% KCl) from 209.6m in the newly identified Hangingwall Seam, including 1.97m at 34.81% K₂O (55.13% KCl)
• 2.99m of sylvinite grading 22.72% K₂O (35.98% KCl) from 265.8m in the Upper Seam.

• Intersections from EK_33 include:
• 2.24m at 33.06% K₂O (52.36% KCl) from 213.8m in the Hangingwall Seam; this is 60m above the previously reported Upper Seam (3.82m at 22.51% K₂O (35.64% KCl) from 272.06m)¹.

The Sintoukola Potash Project, operated and managed by Elemental Minerals, is located in the onshore coastal basin of the south-western Republic of Congo (Figure 1). The company recently released (8 May 2012) an updated Mineral Resource estimate. The Upper and Lower Seams contain the bulk of the Mineral Resources with a lesser amount within a seam lower in the stratigraphy (the Footwall Seam).

The Company has since added to the Phase 2 programme (Phase 2B) and completed 8 exploration bore holes (EK_38 to EK_45) in the southern and western periphery of the Kola deposit (Figure 2). EK_37 was a shorter borehole drilled for hydro-geological purposes only.

EK_38 is located 1.6 km southwest of EK_33 (Figure 2). In addition to the new Hangingwall Seam, EK_38 contains sylvinite mineralisation in the Upper Seam and carnallitite mineralisation in the Lower Seam. The Hangingwall Seam occurs some 54m above the Upper Seam (Figure 3).

Additional bore holes EK_42, EK_43, EK_44 and EK_45 have been drilled to the northwest and southwest of EK_38. Assay results have not yet been received for these bore holes, but observations of core and downhole geophysical data suggest that the Hangingwall Seam is also present in EK_43 and EK_45.

Drill hole EK_33 was drilled as part of the Phase 2A exploration programme. The Upper Seam intersection of 3.82m at 22.51% K₂O (35.64% KCl) from 272.06m was reported on the 24^th April 2012. The newly identified Hangingwall Seam assay results of 2.24m at 33.06% K₂O (52.26% KCl) from 213.06m were, however, not reported at the time.

Laterally extensive seams grading in excess of 30% K₂O (48 % KCl) are rare globally. These results and observations suggest that the Hangingwall Seam is of this grade, has lateral continuity and is open to the south west as illustrated by figures 2 and 3.

Table 1: New Assay returns

Hole	Zone	From (m)	To (m)	True Width (m)	% K2O	% KCl
EK_33	Hangingwall Seam	213.81	216.45	2.24	33.06	52.36
EK_38	Hangingwall Seam	209.60	212.06	2.46	30.58	48.43
	includes	210.09	212.06	1.97	34.81	55.13
EK_38	Upper Seam	265.8	268.79	2.99	22.72	35.98
EK_38	Lower Seam	272.97	273.2	7.53	12.75	20.19

Commenting on these results Elemental's CEO, Iain Macpherson stated: "The existence of a further high grade sylvinite seam is hugely exciting and confirms the exceptional quality of the Sintoukola Project. With average grade at the Kola sylvinitic Upper and Lower Seams of 20 % K₂O (32% KCl), Kola has comparable grades to those of many operating mines around the world and is higher grade than most potash development projects. In the Hangingwall Seam we have identified a seam that is significantly higher grade; at least 30% K₂O (48% KCl), confirming the quality and strategic nature of our project"

Table 2: Drill hole coordinates

Hole	East-WGS84	North-WGS84	RL	Depth	Azimuth	Dip	Assays
EK_33	794738	9548513	15	332.3	0	-90	Reported
EK_38*	793920	9547075	25	335.3	0	-90	Reported

*Handheld GPS position only.

Sampling and Analyses

Drill core samples (PQ core diameter sizes) are split in half by a diamond saw cutting machine at the project site. The half split samples, each weighing about three to seven kilograms, are collected at an average interval of 0.3 to 1.0 metre. The samples were processed and analysed by Genalysis, Perth, Australia. Sample preparation and analysis is done by Genalysis. Potassium, Sodium, Calcium, Magnesium, Chlorine, and Sulphur were analysed by ICP-ES. Routine international-standard QA/QC procedures were used by Genalysis. One of the six elements analysed are reported here: potassium (K) and its molecular equivalent of Potassium oxide (K₂O, by multiplication with a factor of 1.204). The detection limit for K is 0.001%.

About Elemental Minerals

Elemental Minerals Limited is an advanced mining exploration and development company that aims to grow shareholder value through its 93%-owned Sintoukola Potash Project on the Republic of Congo coastline.  Elemental Minerals is dual listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ELM. For more information, visit www.elementalmineralsltd.com

Mineral Resource Summary - Kola Deposit of Sintoukola Project²

• The Sintoukola Project's Kola deposit currently contains 959 Mt Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources with an average grade of 15.11% K₂O (23.93% KCl), and 513 Mt Inferred Mineral Resources with an average grade of 15.33% K₂O (24.27% KCl), at a 10.0% K₂O cut-off grade.
• Within such Mineral Resources, the sylvinite portion of the deposit contains 413 Mt Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources with an average grade of 20.39% K₂O (32.39% KCl), and 261 Mt Inferred Mineral Resources grading 19.16% K₂O (30.33% KCl), at a 10.0% K₂O cut-off grade.
• These resources are mostly within two seams, the Upper Seam and the Lower Seam which are separated by a barren halite layer averaging 3 metres in thickness. The depth to the top of the Upper Seam is within 250 to 320 metres from surface. A small portion of the Inferred Resource is contained within the Footwall Seam which occurs approximately 45 metres below the level of the Lower Seam in certain areas of the deposit. The deposit is contained within 80 km² of the current 1,436 km² license area.
• The Mineral Resources are reported in accordance with the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves 2004 Edition (The JORC Code), which is consistent with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Definition Standards 2005 and hence complies with NI 43-101.

Competent Person / Qualified Person Statement:

Information in this report that relates to Exploration Results or Mineral Resources is based on information compiled by Dr. Simon Dorling and Mr. Jeff Elliott, of CSA Global Pty Ltd, the Company's geological consultants. Dr. Dorling and Mr. Elliott are members of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG) and have sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity they are undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the "Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves" (the JORC Code). Dr. Dorling and Mr. Elliott are also Qualified Persons for the purposes of Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and they consent to the inclusion in this report of the Information, in the form and context in which it appears.

Further information respecting Elemental's Sintoukola Project is contained in a technical report entitled ''NI 43-101 Technical Report, Sintoukola Potash Project, Republic of Congo'' prepared by Messrs. Simon Dorling, Jeff Elliott, and Andrew Scogings of CSA Global Pty Ltd. for the Company dated June 21, 2012 with an effective date of June 21, 2012 (the "Technical Report").  The Technical Report can be accessed on the Company's profile on SEDAR.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that are "forward-looking". Generally, the words "expect," "potential", "intend," "estimate," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of our forward-looking statements, which are not guarantees of future performance. Statements in this news release regarding the Company's business or proposed business, which are not historical facts, are "forward looking" statements that involve risks and uncertainties, such as resource estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.

Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made.

^{____________________________
1} EK_33 was drilled as part of Phase 2a and the Upper Seam intersection of 3.82 m at 22.51% K₂O (35.64% KCl) from 272.06m was reported on 24 April 2012. The newly defined Hangingwall intersection assay results were not reported at the time.
² For a full description of the resource refer to the NI 43-101 Technical Report, dated 21 June 2012 available on SEDAR, www.sedar.com

 

Image with caption: "Figure 1: Location of Sintoukola Potash Permit, the Kola potash deposit and historic borehole locations. (CNW Group/Elemental Minerals Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120702_C5697_PHOTO_EN_15880.jpg

Image with caption: "Figure 2: Phase 1, 2A and 2B boreole Locations. (CNW Group/Elemental Minerals Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120702_C5697_PHOTO_EN_15881.jpg

Image with caption: "Figure 3: Northeast-Southwest Cross section through EK_20, EK_33, EK_38 and EK_43. (CNW Group/Elemental Minerals Limited)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20120702_C5697_PHOTO_EN_15882.jpg

Iain Macpherson
Chief Executive Officer 
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]

John Sanders
Executive Director 
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]

Ilja Graulich
Investor Relations Manager
Tel: [phone]
[email protected]

Johannesburg Office: [phone]