FARALLON ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF METALLURGICAL TESTING
OF G-9 DEPOSIT, CAMPO MORADO, MEXICO
TESTWORK INDICATES AMENABLILITY TO CONVENTIONAL FLOTATION
March 30, 2006, Vancouver, BC - Dick Whittington, President & CEO of Farallon Resources Ltd. (TSX:FAN),is pleased to announce the results of several recent flotation tests conducted on the G-9 deposit at its polymetallic (zinc, gold, silver, copper, lead) project at Campo Morado, Guerrero State, Mexico. The results are extremely promising and indicate that conventional flotation techniques can potentially be utilized at G-9. More comprehensive tests are now underway to further investigate this potential and will be reported on when available.
Four samples were taken from the G-9 deposit to represent differing grades and zones of mineralization. The samples were crushed, screened and a flotation feed was prepared. Modal and chemical analyses were undertaken prior to bench scale flotation tests. The samples were prepared by ALS Chemex in Guadalejara, Mexico and G&T Laboratories (G&T) in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada. The flotation tests were all carried out by G&T in Kamloops.
These preliminary results indicate that a marketable zinc concentrate can be produced at G-9. Zinc concentrate grades of 50 to 57% were produced with recoveries ranging from 85% to 68%, depending on the samples tested. Copper-lead bulk concentrates were also produced at varying grades and recoveries. A preliminary flowsheet and test results on each sample are attached. The results of similar testwork on a composite sample of Reforma and Naranjo deposits, carried out in November 1997, are also included for comparison. In addition, a synopsis of the work carried out by G&T is attached. The full report on this test program is posted on the Company's website.
These results represent a very significant departure from those received on any of the other deposits at Campo Morado. Although preliminary, they show that G-9 deposit differs, both mineralogically and metallurgically, from the Reforma, Naranjo and El Largo deposits. For instance, the amount of pyrite in G-9 is lower than that in these deposits. Furthermore, these results offer potential for a more conventional milling extraction plant to be utilized for G-9. Testing that is currently underway is expected to expand our knowledge base in this regard and, if results continue to support a flotation based mine development plan at G-9, the Company will be quickly moving to review plans to incorporate this possibility into the treatment scenarios going forward.
Dick Whittington said:
"This is an extremely encouraging development for the Campo Morado Project and represents a breakthrough in the processing of the project's deposits. If confirmed in subsequent testwork, and coupled with the very high grade nature of the G-9 deposit, the possibility of a conventional flotation based mine at G-9 could reduce the capital and technical risk of the project and accelerate mine development. The corporate mantra of a "Mine by '09" could quickly be replaced by a "Mine at G-9". We are excited by the opportunities that this offers all the stakeholders in the project. I would like to commend the excellent work done by G&T and Peter Taggart on this testwork program."
The in-house qualified person for the drilling program and selection of samples for metallurgical testwork at Campo Morado is Daniel Kilby, P.Eng. The independent qualified person in charge of the flotation testwork is Peter Taggart, P.Eng. ALS Chemex is the analytical laboratory for the project; sample preparation is done in Guadalajara, Mexico and analysis is done in Vancouver, BC. All samples are assayed for gold by fire assay fusion with a gravimetric or Atomic Absorption (AA) finish. Silver, copper, lead, zinc and 27 to 30 additional elements are determined for all samples by acid digestion, followed by an AA or ICP finish. Duplicates are analyzed by Acme Analytical Laboratories in Vancouver.
Farallon has a strong cash position of $8.9 million that will enable the Company to complete its current drilling program and conclude a Preliminary Assessment of the project by mid year.. For further details on Farallon Resources Ltd. and its Campo Morado property, please visit the Company's website at www.farallonresources.com or contact Investor Services at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at
1-800-667-2114.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
J.R.H. (Dick) Whittington
President & CEO
No regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained in this news release.
Forward Looking Information
This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements." All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future production, reserve potential, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects are forward-looking statements. The likelihood of future mining at Campo Morado is subject to a large number of risks and will require achievement of a number of technical, economic and legal objectives, including obtaining necessary mining and construction permits, completion of pre-feasibility and final feasibility studies, preparation of all necessary engineering for pits and processing facilities as well as receipt of significant additional financing to fund these objectives as well as funding mine construction. Such funding may not be available to the Company on acceptable terms or on any terms at all. There is no known ore at Campo Morado and there is no assurance that the mineralization at Campo Morado will ever be classified as ore. For more information on the Company and the risk factors inherent in its business, investors should review the Company's Annual Information Form at www.sedar.com.
