TORONTO, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Atlanta Gold Inc. (TSXV: ATG); (OTCQX: ATLDF) (the "Company") recently installed a water filtration and treatment system as an addition to its existing Pilot Water Treatment Facility ("PWTF") at the Atlanta project site, Idaho. This marks the achievement of a critical environmental milestone that meets the requirements of the site's existing water permit.
"This innovative passive water filtration system was installed as it was the system that met all requirements to treat the historic discharge from the 900 Level Adit. These requirements included that the system not only be effective but require minimum energy with low operating costs and capital outlay. We were not previously aware of this type of application for this system, but expect now to be able to benefit from the marketing of it by another party," said President & CEO, Wm. Ernest Simmons.
Initial results from this system indicate the PWTF is now meeting the existing National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ("NPDES") discharge permit requirements for arsenic and iron. Mr. Simmons commented further, "I'm very pleased with the results thus far. Arsenic levels have been reduced from a high of approximately 5,000 ppb to non-detectable. Iron levels have been reduced from a high of 16,300 ppb to non-detectable (<50 ppb). Continued performance at this level of efficiency will allow Atlanta Gold to demonstrate compliance with permit requirements and provide the opportunity to move forward with mine development."
Atlanta Gold and their engineering firm, CENTRA Consulting Inc., completed the design, construction and installation of the new system over the course of 60 days. Operation of the system began on November 1, 2012. CENTRA's Project Engineer, Ryan Eldridge, indicated he also is very pleased with how the system is performing, "We still have some fine-tuning to do, but thus far things are going remarkably well."
Table 1 | ||||||||||
Date | Bulkhead Discharge |
Adit Discharge (Into Ponds) |
Ponds Discharge (into Tank #1) |
Tank #1, Cell #1 Effluent Into Tank #2 |
Tank #2, Cell #3 Effluent (Discharge to Montezuma Creek) |
|||||
As (µg/l) |
Fe (µg/l) |
As (µg/l) |
Fe (µg/l) |
As (µg/l) |
Fe (µg/l) |
As (µg/l) |
Fe (µg/l) |
As (µg/l) |
Fe (µg/l) |
|
10/01/12 | 2840 | 15300 | 1830 | 11600 | ||||||
Oct avg | 136 | 1774 | ||||||||
11/05/12 | 3160 | 16300 | 1870 | 11600 | 173 | 2630 | ||||
11/06/12 | 65 | 1550 | 29 | 430 | ||||||
11/08/12 | 10 | 70 | ||||||||
11/13/12 | 2610 | 15200 | 1840 | 11000 | 6 | 210 | <5 | <50 | ||
11/15/12 | 1840 | 12000 | <5 | <50 | ||||||
11/19/12 | 2470 | 15200 | 1760 | 11900 | 198 | 3030 | 46 | 6080 | <5 | <50 |
Nov avg | 2770 | 15500 | 1828 | 11620 | 169 | 2478 | 39 | 2613 |
The results shown in Table 1 demonstrate that the PWTF is currently removing approximately 99.9% of arsenic, and approximately 99% of the iron from the water prior to discharge into Montezuma Creek, which meets the NPDES discharge requirements for the system. With continued monitoring and adjustments to the system if required, AGC and CENTRA believe that the system will meet the compliance requirements for discharge by the court ordered date of December 15, 2012.
About the Company
Atlanta Gold Inc. holds through its 100% owned subsidiary, Atlanta Gold Corporation, leases, options or ownership interests in its Atlanta properties which comprise approximately 2,159 acres (8.74 square kilometers) located 90 air kilometers east of Boise, in Elmore County, Idaho. A long history of mining makes Atlanta very suitable for development of new mining projects. The Company is focused on advancing its core asset, Atlanta, towards mine development and production.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking information and forward-looking statements (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. We use words such as "may", "intend", "will", "should", "anticipate", "plan", "expect", "believe", "estimate" and similar terminology to identify forward-looking statements, including with respect to the time necessary to complete the upgrades to the pilot water treatment facility and the ability of the system to achieve compliance with the NPDES Permit. Such are based upon assumptions, estimates, opinions and analysis made by management in light of its experience, current conditions and its expectations of future developments as well as other factors which it believes to be reasonable and relevant. These assumptions include the availability of requisite equipment and manpower, and the ability to achieve operating estimates. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements. Risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to vary include, but are not limited to, the Court's discretion to refuse the relief requested and to impose additional financial and other sanctions against AGC, the Company's and AGC's limited financial resources and their ability to raise sufficient funds on a timely basis to carry out the terms of the Court's order (whether or not such order is amended), achieve its business objectives and continue as a going concern; operational and technical difficulties; changes in general economic conditions and in the financial markets; as well as other risks and uncertainties which are more fully described in the Company's annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis and in other Company filings with securities and regulatory authorities which are available at www.sedar.com. Should one or more risks and uncertainties materialize or should any assumptions prove incorrect, then actual results could vary materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on those statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists of risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein or in any other documents filed with securities regulatory authorities, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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Image with caption: "AGC Passive Water Treatment System for Arsenic (CNW Group/Atlanta Gold Inc.)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20121128_C4085_PHOTO_EN_21302.jpg
SOURCE: Atlanta Gold Inc.
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