Exhibit 99.1
News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350
Attention Business Editors:
Starfield Resources Provides Update On Hydrometallurgical Test Work
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN
THE U.S./
Results of testing may reduce operating costs of hydromet process
TORONTO, April 21, 2010 /CNW/ - Starfield Resources Inc. ("Starfield" or
the "Company") (TSX: SRU) today provided an update on test work at SGS Canada
Inc. ("SGS") in Lakefield, Ontario to advance development of the Company's
hydrometallurgical process. This innovative technology aims to recover base
metals and high grade iron oxide from massive sulphides. The process is
expected to have a direct impact on potential future operations at Starfield's
Ferguson Lake project in Nunavut and its Stillwater project in Montana.
The purpose of the testing program is to advance the technical status of
the steps in the circuit under development. This stage provides for the
oxidation and hydrolysis of ferric chloride at atmospheric pressure by
demonstrating continuous operation of these steps at laboratory scale and
generating preliminary data on the extent and rates of conversion.
To date, testing has surpassed the oxidation goals assumed from prior
modeling and costing calculations on the circuit. Previous work assumed that
75% of the ferrous iron would be oxidized in a single pass through the
oxidation reactor, while SGS test work has achieved a best result of 86%. The
impact of higher percentage oxidation of ferrous iron is reduced reagent
consumption downstream, which reduces operating costs.
The next phase of testing will be an extended oxidation trial run of
approximately 80 hours to demonstrate steady operation and to further refine
the oxidation step of the circuit.
"We are extremely pleased with the progress of the test work," said
Michael Moran, Director of Engineering at Starfield. "Results have exceeded
expectations, and we look forward to the next phase of testing."
In early May 2010, Starfield will ship approximately 700 kilograms of
massive sulphides from Ferguson Lake to SGS. Upon completion of the initial
oxidation and hydrolysis work, the massive sulphides will be used in the front
end of the circuit of an integrated mini-pilot plant. The front end is
comprised of primary leaching (hydrogen sulphide gas removed) and secondary
leaching (PGM residue removed), oxidation, hydrolysis, and, if necessary, iron
"polishing" (removal of any residual iron from the solution of base metal
chlorides produced).
The solution generated in the front end mini-pilot plant will be used to
further develop the back end of the circuit, in which base metals are
separated and recovered in saleable form. The hydrogen sulphide gas and PGM
residue produced and removed during the primary and secondary leaching phase
will be captured for further testing. The hydrogen sulphide gas will be
reacted and the heat from that reaction will be measured to further the power
generation portion of the process. The PGM residue will undergo testing with
the objective of producing a saleable concentrate.
Once testing is complete, Starfield will have generated the process
information needed to fully define the Ferguson Lake circuit. After that, the
key steps will be scaled up and the process will be demonstrated at an
appropriate pilot scale.
About Starfield
Starfield Resources Inc. is an exploration and development stage company
exploring for copper, nickel, and platinum group elements (PGE) in North
America. The Company has three main projects: a PGE project in Montana's
Stillwater District; a copper project in California's historic Moonlight
Copper Mining District; and a copper/nickel/cobalt/PGE project in Ferguson
Lake, Nunavut. Additional assets include a diamond joint venture in Nunavut,
additional copper/nickel/chrome projects in Montana, and a portfolio of eight
gold properties in Nevada that are currently under joint venture agreement.
Starfield is also funding the development of a novel, environmentally friendly
and energy efficient hydrometallurgical process to recover metals from massive
sulphides.
About SGS
The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection,
verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is
recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than
59,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,000 offices and
laboratories around the world.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain certain information that constitutes
forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently
characterized by words such as "plan," "expect," "project," "intend,"
"believe," "anticipate" and other similar words, or statements that certain
events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are
based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements
are made, and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those projected in the forward-looking statements. These factors include the
inherent risks involved in the exploration and development of mineral
properties, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and
other geological data, fluctuating metal prices and other factors described
above and in the Company's most recent annual information form under the
heading "Risk Factors" which has been filed electronically by means of the
Canadian Securities Administrators' website located at www.sedar.com. The
Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking
statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should
change. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements.
www.starfieldres.com
%CIK: 0001074795
/For further information: Andre J. Douchane, President and CEO, (416)
860-0400 ext. 222, adouchane(at)starfieldres.com; Greg Van Staveren, Chief
Financial Officer, (416) 860-0400 ext. 223, gvanstaveren(at)starfieldres.com;
Connie Anderson, Investor Relations, (416) 860-0400 ext. 228,
canderson(at)starfieldres.com/
(SRFDF SRU.)
CO: Starfield Resources Inc.
CNW 17:16e 21-APR-10
