Hard Creek Nickel Funds Carbon Sequestration Research
31 Mars 2008 - 9:33PM
Marketwired
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA , announced today that the Company
has committed to providing up to $60,000 in funding for two
research projects under the supervision of Dr. Michael Hitch,
Ph.D., P.Geol., Assistant Professor with the Norman B. Keevil
Institute of Mining Engineering at the University of British
Columbia. This research will consist of defining the economics of
new mining protocols for the Turnagain Project which employ CO2
capture and storage (CCS) and then developing new resource and mine
planning models utilizing the sequestration potential of mine waste
rock materials.
The Turnagain project, which is 100% owned by Hard Creek, is
located in British Columbia about 1350 km northwest of Vancouver
and 70 km east of Dease Lake. Nickel and copper sulfides were first
identified on the property in about 1956. Falconbridge Nickel Mines
completed the first exploration programs from 1966 to 1973.
Exploration to date on the Turnagain property has included
geological mapping, geophysical and geochemical surveys and more
than 75,620 metres (248,100 feet) of diamond drilling in 304 drill
holes. Host rocks for the mineral resource are predominantly the
magnesium silicates olivine and serpentine.
"We are taking a proactive stance towards the management of our
potential green house gas emissions," said Mr. Froc. "We believe
the research will put us in a better position to demonstrate
effective carbon offsets and this will enhance the financial
performance of our Turnagain Project."
"I am excited about the opportunity to work with the support of
Hard Creek Nickel on these two research projects," said Dr. Hitch.
"The level of commitment to this research is testimony to Hard
Creek's forward thinking and progressive stance on the important
aspects of CCS. Clearly they recognize that there is the potential
to enhance the Turnagain Project and to more effectively utilize
the mineral resource in their possession."
The two research projects explore the opportunity for using mine
waste rock and tailings as a medium for capture and storage of CO2
gas. The unique aspect of this research is the premise that CCS can
be achieved through the process of mineral carbonation of magnesium
silicate minerals at ambient temperatures and pressures. As a
result of this new found use of what has been traditionally
considered mine waste materials, a new technology is emerging
whereby these materials may now have an enhanced value at a mining
operation.
This realization of value presents itself in several ways to the
mine operator. Firstly, traditional mining and material movement
methodologies become obsolete in terms of the economics of waste
versus ore. Under operating conditions, materials that have
enhanced sequestration potential (i.e. those with enhanced CCS
characteristics) will be mined in a different manner than
non-reactive materials. Trucking, crushing, placement and other
costs will now be applied to this material.
A second realization of value may exist in the reactive
materials' capacity to consume carbon and its value to other CO2
emitters and their ability to use this material to manage their own
emissions.
The determination, mining, placement and operation of CCS
reactive rock materials employ not only a new way of looking at
traditional waste rock but also a new assignment of values. These
new values will be ultimately utilized under cap and trade programs
designed to reduce green house gas emissions and credit those
involved with CCS.
The Turnagain deposit has been recently estimated (see December
10, 2007 News Release for details) with the measured and indicated
resource estimated at 489 million tonnes grading 0.22% total nickel
(0.16% nickel in sulphides) and 0.012% cobalt and an additional
inferred resource of 560 million tonnes grading 0.20% total nickel
(0.15% nickel in sulphides) and 0.011% cobalt. The mineral
resources of the Turnagain deposit were classified in accordance
with CIM Definition Standards and Best Practices referred to in NI
43-101 which have a reasonable expectation of economic
extraction.
On behalf of the Board of Directors of Hard Creek Nickel
Corporation
MARK JARVIS, President
The TSX Venture Exchange does not accept responsibility for the
accuracy or adequacy of this news release.
Contacts: Hard Creek Nickel Corporation Mark Jarvis President
(604) 681-2300 (604) 681-2310 (FAX) Email: info@hardcreek.com
Website: www.hardcreeknickel.com
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