Alexander Mining plc-Patent Granted for a Method for Extracting Zinc From Aqueous Ammoniacal Solutions

Alexander Mining plc (TSX VENTURE:AXD)(AIM:AXM) ('Alexander' or the 'Company') - 

Alexander is pleased to report that its MetaLeach Limited ("MetaLeach")
subsidiary has received the following notifications regarding its patent
applications for a Method for Extracting Zinc from Aqueous Ammoniacal Solutions,
derived from International Patent Application PCT/AU2009/00168:




--  in Australia, the patent has been granted by the Australian Patent
    Office; and 
--  in the USA, all claims have been allowed by the US Patent and Trade
    Marks Office and the Company looks forward to the issuing of the patent.



The patent application describes a method for extracting zinc from an aqueous
ammoniacal zinc solution containing impurities, the method comprising the steps
of: 




(i)   contacting the aqueous ammoniacal zinc solution containing impurities 
      with an organic phase comprising an ammonium salt of an organic       
      extractant dissolved in a hydrophobic diluent, allowing transfer of   
      the zinc to the organic phase and transfer of ammonium to the aqueous 
      phase, thereby providing a zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic   
      phase and an ammonium-enriched, zinc-depleted aqueous phase containing
      impurities;                                                           
                                                                            
(ii)  separating the zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic phase from the
      ammonium-enriched, zinc-depleted aqueous phase containing impurities; 
                                                                            
(iii) contacting the zinc-enriched, ammonium-depleted organic phase with an 
      aqueous solution containing positively charged species, allowing      
      transfer of the zinc from the organic phase and transfer of positively
      charged species from the aqueous phase, thereby providing an aqueous  
      zinc solution and an organic phase containing a zinc-depleted organic 
      extractant; and                                                       
                                                                            
(iv)  recovering the zinc from the aqueous zinc solution.                   



Martin Rosser, Chief Executive Officer, said: "This is a very positive
development towards securing protection for one of Metaleach's zinc
technologies, which is of major commercial potential for a range of worldwide
oxidised or non-sulphide deposits ". 


Forward Looking Statements 

This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which
are not historical facts, including, without limitation, statements regarding
potential mineralization, exploration results, resource or reserve estimates,
anticipated production or results, sales, revenues, costs, "best-efforts"
financings or discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no
assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are
necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to
numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future
events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's
expectations are in Company documents filed from time to time with the TSX
Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are
available at www.sedar.com. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to
revise or update such statements unless required by law.