Strata Minerals Inc. Announces Encouraging Initial Results at Cardabia

TORONTO, Dec. 20, 2012 /CNW/ - Strata Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMP) ("Strata" or the "Company") is pleased to announce initial results from the Company's Phase 1 exploration program at its 80% owned Cardabia Phosphate Project (the "Cardabia Project") located near Exmouth in Western Australia.

As previously reported, Strata completed drilling 2,282 meters in 74, 3.5 inch diameter aircore holes in October concentrated along a previously defined outcropping phosphate horizon located in the southeast portion of the Cardabia Project.  An illustration outlining the location of holes drilled is provided in Figure 1 below and available on the Company's website at www.strataminerals.com.

Approximately 4,500 samples were taken at 0.5 meter intervals and shipped to the Bureau Veritas - Amdel (Minerals) lab in Adelaide, Australia for comprehensive sizing and analysis.  Sizing and assay sample results for phosphate intersections in the initial 5 holes tested are provided in Table 1 below.

"The results demonstrate continuity in P₂O₅ mineralization within a shallow and gently dipping sedimentary unit with mineralized zones totalling approximately 0.5-2.0 meters in thickness. In head grade samples with sufficient mass to the +1mm fraction, the coarse material averages 24.4% P₂O₅, which is favorable given the close proximity of the Cardabia Project to existing infrastructure and the coast", said Peter Kozicz, President & CEO.

Logging results from holes drilled corroborates initial indications of the continuity of a phosphate rich sedimentary bed at the Cardabia Project. A preliminary lithological interpretation of the 5 holes tested is presented in Figure 2 below and available on the Company's website.

Lab work will now turn to the assessment of any potentially deleterious minerals at the Cardabia Project. Complete analytic results and a more comprehensive interpretation of these results is expected in the first quarter of 2013.

In addition to initial assay results at the Cardabia Project, Strata reports the completion of a reprocessing of historic geophysical data. Reprocessing was undertaken in order to take advantage in algorithmic advances in geophysics since the date of CRA/Rio Tinto's work on the Cardabia Project in the early 1990's. Results from reprocessed geophysics will be used to help determine the location of additional target areas within the 2,200 sq km project area.

Strata looks forward to providing further updates on the Cardabia Project Phase 1 exploration program as results are received and analysed by the Company's technical team.

This news release was authorised by Darryl Mapleson who is a Fellow of the AusIMM and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Mapleson has reviewed the preparation of the scientific and technical information in this release.

"Peter Kozicz"
President, CEO

About Strata Minerals Inc.

Strata Minerals Inc. is an emerging, Australasia focused, agricultural nutrient company exploring for commercial scale phosphate rock mineralization deposits.  Armed with the objectives of becoming a supplier to the global fertilizer industry and generating wealth for its shareholders, Strata is currently advancing its phosphate exploration projects in Western Australia.  All references to the Company in this release include the Company's wholly owned Australian subsidiary, Strata Minerals Pty Ltd.  For further information, please refer to the Company's website at www.strataminerals.com.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included herein constitute forward-looking statements. The words "expect", "intend", "anticipate", "propose" and "may" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements regarding exploration results and the development and operation of Strata's mineral properties. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions. While such estimates and assumptions are considered reasonable by the management teams of Strata, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and risks and accordingly may not occur as described herein or at all. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and, accordingly are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements due to the inherent uncertainty of such statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Figure 1 - Drillhole Locations

Table 1 - Assay Results of 5 Drill holes from Phase 1 Exploration Program

STRATA MINERALS INC.					P2O5 Grade by Sized Fraction
Cardabia Project
Phase 1 Exploration Programme Initial Results  (December 2012)
Hole Number	Sample Number	Meter From	Meter To	Grade	+4.75mm	-4.75 +1mm	-1 mm to + 75 um	<0.75um
				(XRF)	(%)	(%)	(%)	(%)
CBAC042	3248	7.5	8	1.84%	*	*	0.42	0.13
	3250	8.5	9	2.31%	*	20.79	1.51	0.58
CBAC045	3377	9	9.5	0.35%	*	*	1.42	0.28
	3378	9.5	10	3.99%	25.31	25.26	2.53	0.74
CBAC049	3551	13	13.5	1.60%	28.42	28.11	2.73	0.62
	3552	13.5	14	2.08%	28.47	23.07	1.87	0.74
	3562	18.5	19	0.41%	*	0.4	0.48	0.41
CBAC054	3838	20.5	21	1.32%	*	26.7	7.76	0.32
	3839	21	21.5	0.25%	*	*	0.26	0.26
	3840	21.5	22	1.13%	25.18	25.16	18.41	0.24
	3849	26	26.5	0.90%	*	*	0.96	0.78
	3850	26.5	27	0.49%	*	*	0.88	0.46
	3853	28	28.5	2.05%	29.9	29.67	19.88	0.28
CBAC056	4008	4	4.5	0.30%	0.62	0.99	0.25	0.21
	4009	4.5	5	1.54%	5.43	5.89	1.02	0.28
	4066	33	33.5	2.77%	29.92	28.9	17.53	0.42
	4067	33.5	34	0.89%	*	28.12	17.25	0.27
	4079	39.5	40	0.85%	*	*	11.94	0.83
* Indicates Sample Too Small Thus Nothing in Size Distribution

Figure 2 - Drillhole Lithological Sections

 

 

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/12/20/20121220_C2725_DOC_EN_22162.pdf

PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/12/20/20121220_C2725_DOC_EN_22163.pdf

SOURCE: Strata Minerals Inc.

Peter Kozicz, President & CEO 
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

Brent Lokash, EVP & CFO 
Tel: [phone]
Email: [email protected]