Sparton Reports Positive Metallurgical Test Results for Jiangxi Vanadium Project, China New Clean Extraction Techniques Developed Patents Applied for and Accepted
````````````````````
NEWS RELEASE
March 5, 2012
SPARTON RESOURCES INC.
SPARTON REPORTS POSITIVE METALLURGICAL TEST RESULTS FOR JIANGXI VANADIUM PROJECT, CHINA
NEW CLEAN EXTRACTION TECHNIQUES DEVELOPED
PATENTS APPLIED FOR AND ACCEPTED
Sparton Resources Inc. (SRI:TSX-V) (the "Company"), announced today that its subsidiary company, Vanspar Mining Inc., has successfully completed an advanced metallurgical test program on representative samples from carbonaceous shale hosted vanadium prospects, in Xiushui County, Jiangxi Province, China. The work involved comprehensive agitated acid leaching tests of fresh sample material grading approximately 0.9% V2O5, and has resulted in average recoveries of approximately 78% for the various tests completed. The tests produced vanadium pentoxide products containing 98.5 to 99.3% V2O5 and these qualities are at or above industry standards.
More importantly, the leaching process developed by VanSpar is clean, with no air or water pollution generated by the process methodology. By recycling of the leaching solutions, there is little or no liquid waste and all solid waste produced, meets acceptable standards as feedstock for cement manufacturing in the Xiushui area.
This clean technology contrasts with classic processing methods used for most shale hosted vanadium deposits in China which use(d) a salt roast process that produces significant chlorine and sulphur dioxide gas emissions and effluents as well as solid waste that creates storage and pollution problems.
VanSpar has applied for and received patent approval in China for one flow sheet for its new technology and acceptance of applications for three other flow sheets using similar leaching systems with modifications made to suit differing mineralogy in the host vanadium formations.
TEST PROGRAM
The program involved over 100 individual tests on fresh material grading 0.70 -1.0 % V2O5. Samples were prepared in three size fractions and leached with various sulphuric acid and oxidizer chemical concentrations in a water solution at temperatures varying from 80-95deg. C. Solid liquid ratios were varied and from 1:1 to 1:4, and agitiated leaching times varied from 2-6 hours. All tests and analyses of primary mineralization and tailings from the tests, and the vanadium pentoxide products, were completed at in Sparton’s testing laboratory in Yunnan. Quality control and quality assurance methods utilized China national standards samples as check references. As a further QC check, over 80 samples from the test batches were analyzed at the ALS Chemex international standards certified laboratory in Guangzhou, China. The variability of analyses for V2O5 between the two laboratories, for both the standard reference samples and the test samples, was within acceptable limits (+- 3-6%).
`
RESULTS
Optimization of the leaching processes tested was done within projected commercial parameters and involved using a two stage counter current leaching system that resulted in extraction rates averaging 78% for V2O5. Extraction rates of over 90% were achieved using additional leaching stages, but it is believed the dual leach system will be the most economical for full scale production.
PATENT APPLICATIONS
Several variations of the process flow sheet were developed. Four of these showed commercial possibilities based on the test results and applications for patents for these were submitted to the China Patent Bureau. All of these were accepted for application and one is in the final stage of patent approval. The remaining three are under review and in the approval process. Final patent documents are expected in the coming weeks.
DISCUSSION
Company President, Lee Barker stated that: “Sparton and VanSpar are very pleased with the results achieved and the contributions that can be made to mineral development and environmental remediation for primary vanadium production in China by the use of these new process methods. The development of these new technologies and their application will be a significant contribution to the advancement of VanSpar’s opportunities in Jiangxi.
The test program has clearly produced positive results and investors are invited to discuss these developments further with management at the PDAC Convention March 4-7 2012 in Toronto Canada, where Sparton is an exhibitor.
Sparton's international exploration, development, production and evaluation programs are being carried out under the direct supervision of A. Lee Barker, P. Eng., P Geol., the Company's President and CEO, who is a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.
For more information contact:
A. Lee Barker, President and CEO Charles Ge, Director Tel.: 416-366-3551 Tel.: int'l +86-10 -8559-2276 Fax: 416-366-7421 Fax: +86-13901197486 Mobile: 416-716-5762 E-mail: [email protected] E-mail: [email protected]
SPARTON RESOURCES INC. Company website: www.spartonres.ca Listed: TSX Venture Exchange Trading Symbol: SRI This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward- looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "planned", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" ,"could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, closing of transactions, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to exploration and development, the environment, local and foreign government regulation, currency fluctuation infrastructure, capital markets and additional funding requirements and the departure of key executives as well as those factors discussed in the Company’s documents filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com).
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Further information on Sparton Resources Inc. is available at www.sedar.com.
This news release and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration.
Neither 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 release.