Altair Announces Interim Coal Test Results with Centrifugal Jig.

CODY, Wyo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 14, 1997--Altair International (Alberta Stock Exchange AIL., OTC Bulletin Board AIGI.) Altair International Inc. today announced interim results from fine coal wash tests being conducted with its Centrifugal Jig at Southern Illinois University (SIU) in conjunction with a major U.S. coal producer.

In approximately 50 individual tests, the Centrifugal Jig substantially reduced the amount of ash and pyrite from the fine coals tested. Fine coal is defined as a mixture of coal, ash and pyrite with particle sizes between 28 mesh (0.590 mm) and 325 mesh (0.044mm).

Tests which emphasized combustible recovery yielded combustible recoveries of 94 percent and 89 percent, ash rejections of 59 percent and 71 percent, and product ash at 7.3 percent and 5.4 percent respectively. Tests which emphasized machine throughput yielded combustible recoveries of 87 percent and 69 percent, ash rejection of 64 percent and 77 percent, and product ash at 5.5 percent and 5.5 percent respectively.

A Series 12/8 Centrifugal Jig installed in a closed loop circuit was used for testing. Individual test series were designed to adjust Centrifugal Jig variables to define optimal operating ranges.

Testing of the Series 12/8 Centrifugal Jig will continue on fine coals at SIU with efforts focusing on the better operating ranges established by interim tests. Additional tests will also include separation efficiency determinations for individual particle size fractions. Results will be reported as meaningful interpretations are made.

In coal production conventional jigs are used to wash approximately 35 percent of U.S. coal which is washed. Washing increases the thermal value and efficiency of coal while reducing the amount of harmful sulfur emitted to the atmosphere. "Washed coal" commands a higher price and is much more marketable. It is estimated that in the U.S. alone, approximately 80-90 million tons of coal per year are discarded and about 50 percent of this may be treatable with the Centrifugal Jig.

Altair is in the development stage of commercializing its state- of-the-art technology, the Centrifugal Jig, which recovers extremely fine, heavy particulate matter using a combination of a mechanical jig and centrifugal force. Potential applications include gold/mineral recovery, coal cleaning and environmental remediation. -0-

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CONTACT: Carl Thompson Associates

Jenny Herring, 303/494-5472

http://www.ctaonline.com/ir/aig.htm

or

Altair International Inc.

Dr. William Long, 307/587-8245