MONTREAL,
April 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - Argex
Mining Inc. (Argex) (TSXV: RGX) (FSE: ASV) (OTCBB: ARGEF)
announced today that it has entered into a technical collaboration
agreement (the Agreement) with PPG Industries (NYSE: PPG) to
develop and optimize PPG's technology for Titanium Dioxide
(TiO2) pigment for paints and coatings applications to
be produced by Argex, intended to make Argex's TiO2 pigment
compatible with various end-use applications for PPG. Terms were
not disclosed.
The Agreement provides for the negotiation of a
purchase and supply agreement between Argex and PPG based on the
successful development of the treatment technologies. Both
companies have agreed to certain terms of mutual exclusivity during
the negotiation period.
PPG is the world's leading coatings and
specialty products company, serving customers in construction,
consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and
aftermarkets. PPG operates in more than 60 countries around
the world, with sales in 2011 of US$14.9
billion. PPG shares are traded on the New York Stock
Exchange (symbol:PPG).
"PPG and Argex plan to combine efforts with the
goal of developing a titanium dioxide product that can meet
conventional standards for interior and exterior paint
applications," said Charles F. Kahle
II, PPG chief technology officer and vice president,
research and development, coatings. "This strategic initiative
offers PPG the opportunity to leverage our expertise and secure an
enhanced supply of this critical raw material. Volatile pricing for
titanium dioxide continues to be an important issue for the
company."
Roy Bonnell,
Argex president and chief executive officer, said, "PPG's decision
to collaborate closely with Argex as both a technical and
commercial partner is a further validation of our process and the
suitability of the Argex TiO2 pigment for commercial
use. PPG's involvement will assist Argex greatly in our stated goal
to advance rapidly to production."
PPG previously manufactured titanium dioxide
using the chloride process at its Natrium, W.Va., chemicals plant
and sold titanium dioxide pigment for coatings and other end-use
applications. Titanium dioxide is a raw material widely used in the
paint and coatings industry as pigment for its hiding, durability
and whiteness characteristics.
About Argex Mining Inc.
ARGEX MINING INC. is a near-term producer of
commodities that the world needs: Titanium Dioxide, Iron and
Vanadium Pentoxide. With a primary goal of advancing rapidly
towards production, Argex has adopted a simple and low-risk
strategy for the scale-up of its proprietary process that allows it
to produce high purity TiO2 directly from run-of-mine
material from its 100%-owned deposit.
The process is running continuously at a
mini-plant in Mississauga,
Ontario. The closed-loop process is environmentally friendly
and produces minimal inert tailings.
Additionally, the Company owns 100% of the
Mouchalagane property, which is a large Labrador Trough iron ore
property that represents further potential upside for Argex's
shareholders.
About PPG Industries, Inc.: Bringing Innovation
to the Surface (TM)
PPG Industries' vision is to continue to be the
world's leading coatings and specialty products company. Through
leadership in innovation, sustainability and color, PPG helps
customers in industrial, transportation, consumer products, and
construction markets and aftermarkets to enhance more surfaces in
more ways than does any other company. Founded in 1883, PPG has
global headquarters in Pittsburgh
and operates in more than 60 countries around the world. Sales in
2011 were $14.9 billion. PPG shares
are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol:PPG). For more
information, visit www.ppg.com.
Bringing Innovation to the Surface is a
registered trademark of PPG Industries Ohio, Inc.
Forward-Looking Statements and Disclaimer
This press release may contain forward-looking information
within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All
information and statements other than statements of historical
facts contained in this press release are forward-looking
information. Such statements and information may be
identified by words such as "about", "approximately", "may",
"believes", "expects", "will", "intends", "should", "plans",
"predicts", "potential", "projects", "anticipates", "estimates",
"continues" or similar words or the negative thereof or other
comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are based
on the best estimates available to Argex Mining Inc. ("Argex") at
this time and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and
other factors that may cause Argex's actual results, performance or
achievements to be materially different from any future results,
performance or achievements expressed or implied by such
forward-looking statements. A description of the risks
affecting Argex's business and activities appears under the heading
"Risk Factors" in Argex's Amended and Restated Annual Information
Form dated January 14, 2011 for
the fiscal year ended December 31,
2009, and under the heading "Risk Factors" in Argex's
Management's Discussion and Analysis of the Financial Condition and
Results of Operations for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010, both of which are
available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. No assurance can be given that
any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this
press release will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so,
what benefits that Argex will derive therefrom. In particular, no
assurance can be given as to the future financial performance of
Argex. The forward-looking information contained in this
press release is made as of the date hereof and Argex undertakes no
obligation to publicly update such forward-looking information to
reflect new information, subsequent or otherwise, unless required
by applicable securities laws. The reader is warned against
placing undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its
Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the
policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
SOURCE ARGEX MINING INC.