VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ValOre Metals Corp. (“ValOre” or the “Company”) (TSX‐V: VO; OTCQB: KVLQF; Frankfurt: KEQ0) today provided an update on metallurgical test work underway at its 100%-owned Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements (“PGE”) Project, located in Ceará State, Brazil. ValOre’s testwork has focused on bioleaching and caustic pre-treatment followed by cyanidation demonstrating reproducible and encouraging extractions across both the weathered and chromitite c ...

Core Insights - Volta Metals Ltd. has initiated laboratory-scale bioleaching recovery tests targeting gallium and rare earth elements (REEs) at Laurentian University, a recognized institution for applied research in mining and mineral processing [1][2] Group 1: Test Program Objectives - The primary goal of the test program is to assess the use of bacteria and non-invasive reagents for extracting gallium from the Springer Rare Earth and Gallium Deposit located in Sturgeon Falls, Ontario [2] - Initial tests have shown promising results, with recoveries of up to 75% for gallium and between 56% to 100% for various REEs [8] Group 2: Bioleaching Technology - The bioleaching process, which has been successfully implemented in Chile's copper industry, utilizes specialized microbial groups and environmentally friendly chemical media for metal recovery [3][8] - Dr. Vasu Appanna, an expert in gallium recovery and bioleaching technologies, is leading the research at Laurentian University [3][11] Group 3: Future Phases and Expectations - Ongoing phase-two benchwork studies aim to identify optimal conditions for the efficient liberation of gallium and REEs from mineralized materials, with results anticipated in Q3 2026 [9][10] - Positive outcomes from the current tests could lead to bulk leach validation studies, advancing the process towards potential scale-up for domestic supply of critical elements [10] Group 4: Springer Rare Earth Deposit Overview - The historical mineral resource estimate for the Springer Rare Earth Project indicates an Indicated Resource of 4.2 million tonnes at 1.14% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) and an Inferred Resource of 12.7 million tonnes at 1.17% TREO [15][17] - The 2012 estimate, based on 22 diamond boreholes, is not compliant with current CIM Definition Standards and will be updated following further drilling in 2025 [17][19] Group 5: Company Profile - Volta Metals Ltd. focuses on the exploration of critical minerals, including rare earths, gallium, lithium, cesium, and tantalum, in Ontario, a significant region for hard-rock critical minerals [21]

Core Insights - The bioleaching market is experiencing significant growth, with a projected increase from $10.14 billion in 2024 to $21.37 billion by 2033, driven by rising demand for copper and critical minerals [7] - Major companies, including Rio Tinto and BiotaTec, are investing in bioleaching technologies to enhance copper extraction from low-grade ores and industrial waste [4][19] - Despite the potential, the adoption of bioleaching is slow due to high initial capital costs and a focus on low-grade ores, which limits its commercial viability [6][12] Bioleaching Techniques - Heterotrophic bioleaching utilizes microorganisms that metabolize sugars to extract copper from non-sulphidic materials like oxide ores [1] - Chemolithoautotrophic microorganisms oxidize iron and sulphur to produce soluble copper ions from copper ores [2][3] - Two primary methods of bioleaching are heap leaching, which is cost-effective but slower, and vat leaching, which offers higher recovery rates but at a higher cost [9][10] Market Dynamics - The copper bioleaching market holds over 47.8% of the total bioleaching market revenue share, indicating its dominance [4] - Countries like Chile are leading in bioleaching commercialization, using it to extend the operational life of mines by making lower-grade ores profitable [14] - In contrast, European markets show sluggishness in adopting bioleaching technologies, despite interest from mining operators [15] Commercialization Challenges - Many bioleaching companies face difficulties in reaching commercial feasibility, with some projects getting stuck at the corporate level due to lack of financing [16][17] - The economic viability of bioleaching is closely tied to the concentration of metals in the ores being processed [13] - BacTech and other companies are exploring downstream opportunities and diversifying their operations to include other metals and waste materials [17][20] Versatility and Future Prospects - The versatility of bioleaching is crucial for its success, with applications expanding beyond copper to include rare earth elements and industrial waste [20][22] - Bioleaching can also provide solutions for tailings management, contributing to decarbonization and additional revenue streams [24][27] - Companies like ekolive are focusing on agricultural applications of bioleaching, finding commercial success in producing biofertilizers [28]

Core Insights - ValOre Metals Corp. has announced the commencement of Phase II metallurgical testwork for its Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements Project in Brazil, following positive results from Phase I [1][2][3] Metallurgical Testwork and Flowsheet Design - Phase II Testwork has been approved by ValOre's board and aims to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) targeted for completion by the end of 2026 [2] - The testwork will expand on Phase I results and will inform ongoing process engineering and flowsheet development conducted by Lycopodium [2] Management Commentary - CEO Nick Smart highlighted that Phase II will validate Phase I results at a larger scale, focusing on low-cost heap bioleaching as a processing method for weathered PGE material [3][4] - Bioleaching, which utilizes naturally occurring bacteria, has been effective in increasing recoveries in other mineral processing applications [3] Summary of Results from Phase I Metallurgical Tests - Phase I results included scaling up a novel bioleaching process, assessing low-capital-intensity heap leaching scenarios, and evaluating bioleaching applicability to fresh mineralization [5] - Detailed mineralogical characterization was completed, providing critical input for process design [6] Mineralogical Characterization - Comprehensive analyses focused on PGE speciation and liberation for fresh material, while identifying the refractory nature of weathered material and the potential for bioleaching to enhance recoveries [6] Sampling and Preparation - Phase II testwork will utilize composite samples from ValOre's recent drilling campaigns, representing both weathered and fresh mineralization [8][9] - Head grade determination and chemical characterization were completed by SGS Geosol Laboratories before the samples were sent for further testing [10] Resource Estimates - The Pedra Branca project hosts an inferred mineral resource of 2.2 million ounces of 2PGE+Au grading 1.08 g/t in 63 million tonnes [4][15] - The Esbarro and Curiu deposits contain NI 43-101 compliant inferred resources of 403,000 ounces at 1.16 g/t and 150,000 ounces at 2.20 g/t, respectively [11]

Core Insights - EV Nickel Inc. has announced positive results from a pilot-scale bioleaching and downstream metals recovery test program at its W4 Nickel Project, indicating readiness to advance towards a full-scale bioleaching facility [1][5] Bioleaching Technology - Bioleaching is a cost-effective processing technology that eliminates the need for expensive smelting and reduces upfront capital costs and operating expenses by minimizing energy consumption and complex materials handling [2] - The process utilizes naturally occurring bacteria to extract nickel at ambient temperatures, resulting in significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional methods [3] Pilot Program Results - The pilot program achieved nickel extraction rates of up to 98.9% and cobalt extraction rates of up to 98.8% under semi-continuous conditions, with nearly complete extraction within four days [5][6] - The pilot circuit operated continuously for 11 days, followed by 5 days of batch operation, resulting in 90.1% nickel and 89.6% cobalt extraction by day six [7][10] Product Recovery and Purity - The program demonstrated over 99% recovery of nickel and cobalt as a mixed hydroxide precipitate (MHP) and successful precipitation of nickel sulfate with a purity of up to 98.2% [8][10] - Iron removal was effective at over 99%, with minimal losses of nickel and cobalt, and magnesium was recovered as a saleable by-product [8][10] Future Development Plans - Based on the pilot results, the company plans to optimize processes to improve oxygen transfer efficiency, increase pulp density, and refine the nickel sulfate crystallization process [11] - Preliminary design criteria for a bioleach circuit processing 800 tonnes per day of W4 nickel ore have been developed, laying the groundwork for future engineering and economic studies [10] Strategic Positioning - EV Nickel aims to support North American on-shoring initiatives by providing clean nickel from its projects, which are located near Timmins, a hub for critical minerals [12][13] - The company is committed to collaborating with environmentally responsible organizations and stakeholders to develop essential critical minerals for the electric vehicle market [14]

Company Overview - BacTech Environmental Corporation specializes in environmental technology, focusing on bioleaching to recover metals such as gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper while safely removing harmful contaminants like arsenic [4] - The company has filed a patent for a process called "0 Tailings," which treats pyrrhotite tailings to produce magnetite, organic fertilizer, and critical metals [4] - BacTech is publicly traded on multiple stock exchanges, including the CSE, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange [4] Upcoming Event - Ross Orr, President and CEO of BacTech, will present live at the AI & Technology Conference on October 28, 2025, at 2:30 EDT [1][2] - The event will be interactive, allowing investors to ask questions in real-time, with an archived webcast available for those unable to attend live [2] Investor Engagement - Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) provides a platform for publicly traded companies to present directly to investors, enhancing investor access and engagement [5][6] - The VIC format replicates on-site investor conferences, offering companies the ability to connect with investors and schedule one-on-one meetings [6]

Core Points - BacTech Environmental Corporation announced the sudden passing of Don Whalen, a long-serving member of its Board of Directors [1][2] - The company expressed deep condolences to Don's family, friends, and colleagues, highlighting his valuable contributions and guidance throughout his tenure [2] Company Overview - BacTech Environmental Corporation specializes in environmental technology, utilizing a bioleaching process to recover metals such as gold, silver, cobalt, nickel, and copper while safely removing harmful contaminants like arsenic [2] - The bioleaching process is eco-friendly, employing naturally occurring bacteria that are safe for humans and the environment [2] - BacTech has recently filed a patent for the treatment of pyrrhotite tailings, which produces magnetite, organic fertilizer, and critical metals [2] - The company is publicly traded on multiple stock exchanges, including the CSE, OTCQB, and Frankfurt Stock Exchange [2]