Resource World Magazine

F E B R U A R Y / M A R C H 2 0 1 7 www.resourceworld.com 63 CANADIAN ZEOLITE finding new zeolite markets You won't find zeolite jewelry at Tiffany & Co. but this indus- trial mineral is remarkable in its own way. Its ability to absorb liquids and odors are just two of its characteristics and junior miner Canadian Zeolite Corp. [CNZ-TSXV] has found other uses as well for this unique mineral. In an interview, Ray Paquette, CEO, told Resource World Canadian Zeolite has one open pit mine in production – Bromley Creek – near Princeton in southern British Columbia and is hold - ing a second nearby deposit for future development. The Bromley Creek Mine has a 50,000 tonne-per-year quarry permit. The zeo- lite is trucked from Bromley Creek to Kamloops for processing. "Under an Operator's Agreement all mining, transporting, crushing, processing, packaging and delivery to end users of our zeolites is handled by Absorbent Products Limited of Kamloops," said Paquette. Zeolite beds form when volcanic ash settles on lake beds. Studies have shown that the Bromley Creek deposit (clinoptilolite) is consistent throughout the deposit. Paquette said that zeolite deposits can have variable characteristics that make each deposit amenable to specific end uses. "Our focus for the next several years is on the agricultural aspects of what our zeolite can do well," said Paquette. "Recently our Bromley Creek zeolite was certified by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) as a feed supplement to be added to animal feeds. Last year there were 30 million tonnes of animal feed developed in Canada. Under the CFIA registration, we're allowed up to 2% of total content of feed which means that mar - ket is very large and expected to grow." Another area of interest is the reduction of composting emis- sions. "Odor emissions are one of the biggest problems facing municipalities," noted Paquette. "The green initiative of col- lecting organics for composting generates troublesome odors for neighbouring communities. Our zeolite has been tested and proven to be very efficient in the reduction of these emissions." The company is developing a spray nozzle that will infuse the water supply with 3% micronized zeolite to reduce dust and odors. At a Peel, Ontario project, emissions were reduced by 85%. Canadian Zeolite is also making inroads into greenhouse and outdoor growing mediums. The company is collaborating with the University of Havana and the University of Northern British Columbia to develop its zeolite as a zeoponic or zeoponic sub - strate. Zeoponics is a processed zeolite that has been benefited with nutrients that plants require for the best possible crop yield. "In a University of Havana study, zeoponics increased yield dramatically. For example, a tomato crop producing 90 tonnes per hectare with a chemical fertilizer was increased to 250 tonnes per hectare using a zeolitic fertilizer at a competitive cost," said Paquette. n A sample of Bromley Creek zeolite, a unique mineral which could be characterized as a molecular sieve, enabling it to absorb liquids and odors. Photo by Ellsworth Dickson. MINING 2017. See Zinc Outlook page 40. In October 2016, Arizona Mining reported an updated resource of 31.1 million tons in the indicated resource category grading 10.9% zinc equivalent (ZnEq) plus 82.7 million tons of inferred resource grading 11.1% ZnEq, both reported in accordance with NI 43-101 guidelines utilizing a 4% ZnEq cutoff grade. The Hermosa Project is expected to be an underground mine. The property is close to infrastructure with access to a power grid and natural gas and is less than 10 miles from Arizona State Highway 82 via a Santa Cruz County road. n

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