Itronics Makes Silver Refining Process Discovery Increasing per Melt Bullion Recovery by 40 Percent

Itronics Inc. reported that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Itronics Metallurgical, Inc., has made a silver refining process discovery that increases per melt bullion recovery by 40 percent and reduces the per ounce silver refining cost proportionately. The Company is now implementing the new process into its refining operation and expects the transition to be completed this month.

“The new process immediately benefits Itronics by increasing turnover in silver inventory and by reducing the per ounce refining cost, which benefits the Company by reducing working capital needed to sustain the silver refining operation. This new process is expected to materially improve the profitability of the refining operation going forward,” said Dr. John Whitney, Itronics President.

Silver refining test work that resulted in this new refining process was begun in the second half of 2008. It is a significant improvement in the refining chemistry and is achieved by reducing the amount of silver in the glass/slag and iron matte produced by the refining process.

Itronics Metallurgical also expects that the new refining process will significantly enhance the profitability of the planned Stage 1 silver refinery expansion which was discussed in a press release dated February 24, 2009. The silver captured by Itronics is recovered from spent photo liquids, a highly acclaimed environmentally “Green” and environmentally beneficial process.

This refining technology discovery completes another step in Itronics’ implementation of its 5-year plan to use internally developed environmentally green clean technology to produce solid profitable growth. This focused approach to the development and use of creative new clean technology has made the vertically integrated “Beneficial Use Photochemical, Silver, and Water Recycling” technology and the GOLD’n GRO brand of environmentally friendly fertilizers a success. Itronics revolutionary technologies create a “Green Consumer Option” for photo and X-ray processors that continue to use silver halide photo technologies to make prints and X-rays.