Geomega Resources Inc.: Separation of REE and Impurities from Commercial Mixed Concentrate
14 Mai 2014 - 12:00PM
Marketwired Canada
Geomega Resources Inc. ("GeoMegA" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GMA)
Highlights of this news release:
-- Simultaneous separation of REE and impurities
-- Separation of heavy REE ("HREE") and impurities in one separation step
-- Significant reduction in the number of steps required to purify REE
compared to solvent extraction
-- Commercial mixed concentrate has similar distribution to the Montviel
mixed concentrate
Geomega Resources Inc. ("GeoMegA" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:GMA), is
pleased to announce the conclusive benchmark results confirming physical
separation of rare earth elements ("REE") from a commercial mixed concentrate
("REE Concentrate"). GeoMegA's proprietary physical separation process has the
potential to reduce the capital required to build separation facilities compared
to conventional techniques (i.e. fractional precipitation, ion exchange and
solvent extraction), optimize REE recoveries and mitigate environmental impacts.
The REE Concentrate was purchased on the open market to benchmark the Company's
physical separation process. The table below demonstrates the elemental
distribution of the REE Concentrate compared to the Montviel REE mixed
concentrate produced at SGS Minerals Services in Lakefield (Canada) in October
2013.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Montviel REE
Elements REE Concentrate concentrate
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Impurities Fe 0.01 % 0.22 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ba 0.01 % 0.05 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ca 0.14 % 3.99 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Mg 0.01 % 0.06 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Mn 0.01 % less than 0.01 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Al 0.12 % 0.06 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sr 0.07 % less than 0.01 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
U 0.01 % less than 0.01 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Th less than 0.01 % less than 0.01 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
REE Sc 0.01 % 0.01 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Y 0.05 % 0.20 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
La 25.82 % 25.58 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ce 49.78 % 47.93 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Pr 5.83 % 4.71 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Nd 16.22 % 14.50 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Sm 1.23 % 1.61 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Eu 0.18 % 0.30 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Gd 0.37 % 0.56 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Tb 0.04 % 0.04 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Dy 0.05 % 0.12 %
------------------------------------------------------------------
Ho, Er, Tm, Yb 0.03 % 0.04 %
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The objective of this test was to address the complexities of a commercial
mixture, including the behaviour of impurities and to set a benchmark for future
developments. The Company will use the same REE Concentrate for optimization
testing until the initial scale-up parameters are set. Subsequently, testing
will be performed with the latest Montviel REE concentrate.
The results reflect a single step separation without any pre-treatment on the
REE Concentrate.
-- The single step separation was conducted in a laboratory-scale prototype
equipment; and
-- Total REE Concentrate concentration is approximately 1 g/L.
The graphics (CLICK HERE) highlight the following results:
-- Simultaneous separation of REE and impurities;
-- Separation of the HREE and impurities achieved in a single step in the
current process conditions; and
-- Cerium constitutes half of the concentration;
"Results show excellent simultaneous separation after one separation step
without any recirculation. The number of steps required to purify all REE would
be significantly less than the hundreds of steps currently required in solvent
extraction. The efforts now shift towards increasing the concentration during
the optimisation tests, which is scheduled to begin in June and expected to take
up to 6 months. Material improvements will be disclosed throughout the process."
comments Simon Britt, President and CEO of GeoMegA.
Added value due to REE separation technology
The selling price of a mixed REE concentrate depends largely on the REE
elemental distribution and the nature of impurities. However, a concentrate with
an excellent REE distribution is not ready to move down the supply chain since
further elemental or alloy processing requires high purity individual REE.
Therefore, the value of the REE in a mixed concentrate is significantly less
(i.e. 25% to 100%) than those in pure form. The difference in market value
between the mixed form and refined form of an individual REE is affected by the
supply risk, required purity imposed by end-products and separation cost. As a
result, having access to a REE refinery facility gives an immense advantage to a
REE producer.
NRCC Boucherville research facilities
The test was performed by the Company's development partner in Germany. The
Company conducted all assays at the National Research Council Canada laboratory
in Boucherville, Canada. The assays were done on every sample using ICP-OES
spectrometer.
Dr. Pouya Hajiani, Process Engineer, supervised and approved the technical
information of this news release.
About GeoMegA (www.geomega.ca)
GeoMegA, which owns 100% of the Montviel REE/niobium project located in Quebec,
is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery and
sustainable development of economic deposits of metals, such as REE, niobium and
graphite, in Quebec. GeoMegA is committed to meeting the Canadian mining
industry standards and distinguishing itself with innovative engineering,
stakeholders' engagement and dedication to local transformation benefits.
48,849,883 common shares of GeoMegA are currently issued and outstanding.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term
is defined in the policies of TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for
the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautions Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding our intentions
and plans. The forward-looking statements that are contained in this news
release are based on various assumptions and estimates by the Company and
involve a number of risks and uncertainties. As a consequence, actual results
may differ materially from results forecasted or suggested in these
forward-looking statements and readers should not place undue reliance on
forward-looking statements. We caution you that such forward-looking statements
involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as discussed in the Company's
filings with Canadian securities agencies. Various factors may prevent or delay
our plans, including but not limited to, contractor availability and
performance, weather, access, mineral prices, success and failure of the
exploration and development carried out at various stages of the program, and
general business, economic, competitive, political and social conditions. The
Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward- looking
statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Simon Britt
President and CEO
GeoMegA
(450) 465-0099
info@ressourcesgeomega.ca
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