Return to index MONTREAL, QUEBEC, CANADA--(Jan. 15, 2010) - DIOS EXPLORATION (TSX VENTURE:DOS) is expecting a drill program to start next week on a carbonatite target for strategic metals (niobium, tantalum) and rare earths less than 3,000 meters from the operating Niobec niobium mine located in Quebec, Canada.

The drill target consists of a large circular geophysical feature (low magnetic) coincidental with a low bedrock topographic feature as well, in association with the Saguenay rift zone and the fault zone related to the Shipshaw river. There is an ancient topographic bedrock low possibly related to a north south fault zone parallel to the Shipshaw river. The largely circular geophysical target is located underneath a thick layer of surface material that filled the ancient topographic low. Such a thick layer of overburden would have hidden any possible spectrometric anomaly, consequently hiding the possible carbonatite target.

The Niobec niobium mine was discovered in the late sixties by SOQUEM and surveyed by geophysical (magnetic and spectrometric) surveys at the time, which surveys did not cover the actual Shipshaw property of DIOS. Only much later was the area of the DIOS property covered by federal magnetic surveys. Very interesting geotechnical studies (for the study of surface material) including geotechnical drill holes were also completed in this area to test the depth of the bedrock. Research work using a profile of the bedrock topographic lines shows that there is a significant ancient topographic bedrock low underneath a thick overburden layer that fits the circular low magnetic feature, along a structure that leads to the Niobec mine. Also, some syenite outcrops have been noted on the DIOS property, as well as Trenton limestones, both these rock types being also observed in association with the Niobec mine. The Niobec mine central ore-bearing carbonatite is hosted within a syenite intrusive series (alkaline rocks) covered by Trenton limestones. DIOS will drill test this model less than 3,000 meters away along a structure along which another nepheline syenite (alkaline rock) is known and also some syenite outcrops on the DIOS Shipshaw property itself. The Shipshaw property is road accessible and located near various facilities.

Carbonatite intrusives are alkaline rock types of particular interest for different commodities such as strategic metals (niobium, tantalum), rare earths and many others. Niobium is used in the making of specific alloys used in the aerospace industry, for instance. DIOS has developed an expertise over the years in the understanding of alkaline rocks, such as Kimberlites, for diamond exploration. Alkaline magmatism structures have always been a key target for DIOS. Furthermore, in the general region of the Lac-St-Jean-Saguenay area, a pre-feasibility study is supposed to start in 2010 on the Crevier ANITA niobium-tantalum carbonatite.

DIOS is a major explorer mainly for diamonds and uranium in Central Quebec. The systematic exploration approach developped by the team of DIOS can sometimes lead to the discovery of other commodities as well, thus enhancing shareholders value.