Exhibit 99.1
News release via Canada NewsWire, Toronto 416-863-9350
Attention Business Editors:
Starfield Resources Extends Contract With SGS Canada
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN
THE U.S./
Results of hydromet test work exceed expectations
TORONTO, Aug. 16, 2010 /CNW/ - Starfield Resources Inc. (TSX: SRU)
("Starfield", "the Company") today announced that it has extended its contract
with SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS"), located in Lakefield, Ontario, to continue
development of an energy efficient and environmentally friendly
hydrometallurgical technology for processing massive sulphides from the
Company's Ferguson Lake project in Nunavut.
Earlier in 2010, Starfield commissioned SGS to perfect the oxidation and
hydrolysis circuits of the hydrometallurgical process on a continuous basis.
SGS has completed the initial work, with the continuous oxidation achieving
approximately 90% oxidation of the iron in the lixiviant (synthetic primary
leach solution) and the continuous hydrolysis producing an iron oxide residue
containing 68% iron and 33% hydrochloric acid.
"In Starfield's April 2008 Scoping Study, Scott Wilson RPA identified the
hydrolysis and oxidation processes as having the most technological risk in
the hydromet process," said Andre Douchane, President and CEO. "Now that we
have a clear understanding of the chemistry and the kinetics of the reaction,
SGS is able to predict the outcome of the hydrolysis and oxidation tests. Not
only do we understand how the oxidation and hydrolysis works, but we have it
working beyond our expectations on a continuous basis. We are able to
regenerate the hydrochloric acid in sufficient strength that it can be
returned directly to the head-end of the circuit for reuse; and the iron oxide
that is precipitated out of the process is inert and may have commercial
value."
In conjunction with the next set of tests using the actual massive
sulphides from Ferguson Lake, SGS is also conducting a series of flotation
tests in an effort to lessen the amount of inert or unproductive material
(gangue) sent from the mine site to the hydrometallurgical plant. Initial
tests indicate that the addition of a flotation circuit at the mine could
discard approximately 20% of the hydromet plant feed, yet still pump 99% of
the metal to the hydromet plant. Increasing the amount of gangue retained at
the mine site, and reducing the amount of material transported via the
pipeline to the hydromet plant should result in considerable cost reductions.
Removal of the gangue is also expected to substantially reduce the mass of the
final solid residue from the leach circuit, thereby significantly raising the
grade of precious metals in the final leach residue.
The upcoming test work is scheduled to take between 10 and 12 months at a
cost of approximately $2 million and should take the process up to the actual
pilot plant stage. "I am confident that the next phase of test work will be
successful, and we will see operating design parameters for the Ferguson Lake
massive sulphides. During this phase, we will also recover actual metal
(nickel, copper, and cobalt) and provide sufficient PGE sludge to develop
recovery techniques for the platinum group elements." added Andre Douchane.
About Starfield
Starfield Resources Inc. is an advanced exploration and development stage
company. The Company's primary asset is its Ferguson Lake
nickel-copper-cobalt-platinum-palladium property in Nunavut, Canada.
Additional assets include a nickel-copper-cobalt-PGE-chrome project in the
Stillwater district of Montana with historic copper, nickel, chromite
resources (non 43-101 and not to be relied on); the Moonlight copper project
in California with significant NI 43-101 copper resources; and a portfolio of
eight gold properties in Nevada.
Starfield has also funded the development of a novel, environmentally
friendly and energy efficient hydrometallurgical flow sheet 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.
%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; www.starfieldres.com/
(SRFDF SRU.)
CO: Starfield Resources Inc.
CNW 09:46e 16-AUG-10
