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Happy Creek testing returns up to 61.9% copper leach recovery in three days from Zone 1, Rateria property Highland Valley

August 19, 2014 – Vancouver, British Columbia. Happy Creek Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: HPY) (the “Company”) has received initial copper leach test results from its 100% owned Rateria property in the Highland Valley area, British Columbia. The company’s property totals approximately 200 square kilometres in area that adjoins Teck’s Highland Valley Copper mine property.

 

A composite sample from drill core rejects (0.25% copper) was obtained from Zone 1 on the Rateria property and submitted to Met-Solve Laboratories, of Langley, B.C. for preliminary acid leach testing. Drilling and petrographic studies have shown that chalcocite is the predominant, leachable copper mineral occurring from surface to at least 400 metres below surface. The bottle roll sulfuric acid leach tests were performed on coarse and fine size samples obtained from crushed drill core rejects, and analyses were taken at 3 hours, 6 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours.

 

Summary of Initial Copper Leach Results- Zone 1

 

Particle size

Acid

Concentration (kg/t)

Acid Consumption (kg/tonne)

% copper recovery

72 hours ( 3 days)

Coarse (passing 2565 um)

25

58

42.6

Coarse (passing 2565 um)

100

72

56.4

Fine (passing 168 um)

25

67

52.9

Fine (passing 168 um)

100

76

61.9

 

 

Results indicate that appreciable copper in the Zone 1 material can be rapidly extracted using acid leaching techniques. Typical copper heap leach recoveries are 60-70% with time periods from 30 to 100 days and the product, after solvent extraction and electro-winning, is copper cathode. Acid consumption can decrease over longer time periods. These initial results are positive for the potential of copper heap leaching at Zone 1 and additional tests are required involving larger scale, longer leach period and costing of components.

 

Met-Solve Laboratories comments “the test results show potential leaching occurring at the 72 hour mark, especially the coarser material, suggesting it is maybe possible to reach higher recoveries if the leach duration was extended. It would be worthwhile to conduct column leach tests to evaluate the viability of heap leaching as the next step”.

 

David Blann, P.Eng., President of Happy Creek states: “The initial test work gives us a positive new perspective to consider for Zone 1, and provides additional opportunity for this and our other prospects on the property. About 20% of the world’s copper is produced in this way and it is generally regarded to have lower capital and operating costs. We are pleased to see positive copper recovery in just three days and the potential to increase this with time. We will be discussing the next steps with our metallurgical consultant.”

 

Happy Creek has discovered two new copper zones located approximately 6.5 km from a currently producing open pit. Zone 1 is outlined by approximately 35 drill holes to be approximately 1.2 kilometres in length, 50 to 200 metres in width, 400 metres in depth and remains open in extent. Highlights include 95.0 metres of 0.67% copper and 250 metres of 0.25% copper. A large percentage of the copper mineral in Zone 1 consists of chalcocite, a mineral known to be readily soluble in acid, or produces a quality concentrate by the flotation method. Zone 2 is located 2 km to the northeast and is less defined with 10 holes outlining a mineralized zone approximately 500 metres in length, 50-150 metres in width, 350 metres in depth and remains open in extent. Outlying holes have also intersected positive intercepts over a 600 metre by 1 km area. Highlights from Zone 2 include 152.5 metres of 0.35% copper, 0.06 g/t gold and 0.57 g/t rhenium and 92.8 metres of 0.30% copper, 0.15 g/t gold.  Rhenium values in Zone 2 can reach 3 to 18 g/t and are significant. More details can be found on the Company’s website at www.happycreekminerals.com .

 

The Company has initiated an approximately 23.5 square kilometre LIDAR topographic survey covering new claims that adjoin the Rateria property to the south. This high resolution survey provides the Company with an accurate, detailed topographic map as well as a clear view of recent logging activities and access through the property. This survey will complete the balance of the Company’s entire 200 square kilometre Highland Valley property. It is the foundation to conduct various geological surveys, drilling and other exploration related work.

 

The Company also announces that due to forest fire hazard and intermittent helicopter availability, a planned geological mapping program on the Fox tungsten property was postponed until conditions change.

.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

 

“David E Blann”

____________________

David E Blann, P.Eng.

President, CEO

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

David Blann, President, CEO

Corporate Office:

Phone: 604.662.8310
Email:
Info@happycreekminerals.com

Website: www.happycreekminerals.com

 

Registered Investor Relations:
James Berard             Phone: 604-687-2768 Toll free: 1-877-459-5507

 

David Blann, P.Eng. is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for the preparation and approval of the technical information disclosed in the news release.  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 release.

 





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