Commerce Resources Corp. Updates Metallurgical Advancements on the
Ashram Rare Earth Element Deposit, Northern Quebec
VANCOUVER, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Commerce
Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE, FSE: D7H, OTCQX: CMRZF) (the
"Company" or "Commerce") is
pleased to announce additional results from the on-going
metallurgical
programs on the Company's 100%-owned Ashram Rare Earth Element
(REE)
Deposit, as well as an update on related trade-off studies.
Highlights
Independent lab verification by Hazen Research Inc. of the
multi-stage
beneficiation and flotation method developed at UVR-FIA GmbH
Simplified and improved multi-stage beneficiation and flotation
has
created mineral concentrates of 25% to >45% Total
Rare Earth Oxide (TREO)
Successful hydrochloric acid (HCl) leach of mineral concentrate
followed
by Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation (WHIMS) has
effectively
doubled the TREO grade at a recovery of 97% in these
steps
Initiation of trade-off study for hydromet location
Mineral Concentrate Production and Merging of Flowsheets
Since late May 2013, the independent
approaches developed at Hazen
Research Inc. (single-fraction method) and UVR-FIA GmbH
(multi-fraction
method) have been merged into a joint beneficiation/flotation
flowsheet. Mineral concentrates ranging from 20% to 35% TREO
are now regularly
being produced at both UVR and Hazen. Recent highlights include
31.4% TREO at 57.3% recovery and 22.1% TREO at 67.2%
recovery in addition to the continued production of mineral
concentrates of 30-40% TREO at ~50% recovery at both Hazen
and UVR.
Demonstration of the beneficiation/flotation method at a second
independent laboratory is a key step in confirming a viable,
robust,
and stable upgrading circuit. The process developed uses only
commercially available reagents and other consumables, as well
as
conventional methods currently used at the industrial scale. This
is
critical to allow the scaling up of the process as would be
required in
a potential mining operation.
Company President David Hodge states
"The continued improvements in metallurgy for our Ashram REE
Deposit are
very exciting. In terms of benchmarking amongst other rare
earth
projects in development, confirming the ability to concentrate to
such
a high degree, along with such a significant reduction of mass,
identifies the Ashram Deposit as a leader. Having mineralogy which
has
a history of successful commercial processing is absolutely
critical in
this industry, and Ashram with its sheer size, grade, balanced
rare
earth distribution, and overall mineral concentrate grades achieved
to
date, show that this deposit is well positioned to enter production
at
a level which will have a meaningful impact in the light, middle,
and
heavy REE supply chain."
Physical Upgrade
As first outlined in the February
20th, 2013 News Release, Ashram's high grade
mineral concentrates are
produced using a size fraction approach in which mineralized whole
rock
material is ground and separated by means of hydrocycloning and
screening, into three size fractions termed 'fine', 'middle',
and
'coarse'. The course fraction is reground and classified into the
fine
and middle fractions with the fine fraction either then discarded
or
partially re-mixed and treated with the middle fraction.
This method
of sizing control allows for optimized flotation without the
hindrance
of fine slimes or coarser fractions. Recent test results are
presented
in Table 1.
Table 1: Test Results of Flotation Upgrading Using a Three
Size
Fraction Approach
Metallurgical
Lab
|
Flotation
Stage
|
Test ID
|
Upgrading
Process
|
% of Original
Feed Weight
|
Analysis
(TREO)(1)
|
Recovery(1)
|
Upgrade
Ratio(2)
|
Grade and Recovery referenced to Whole Rock Input (i.e.
Overall Recovery)
|
Hazen
|
3rd Cleaner
|
3638-92
|
Flotation
|
3.3%
|
30.0%
|
50.2%
|
15.4 times
|
Hazen
|
3rd Cleaner
|
3638-93
|
Flotation
|
5.8%
|
22.1%
|
67.2%
|
11.3 times
|
Hazen
|
3rd Cleaner
|
3638-87
|
Flotation
|
4.5%
|
23.4%
|
56.7%
|
12.0 times
|
UVR
|
1st Cleaner
|
58-23
|
Flotation
|
4.1%
|
28.6%
|
56.0%
|
14.7 times
|
UVR
|
1st Cleaner
|
58-17
|
Flotation
|
4.5%
|
30.7%
|
52.5%
|
15.7 times
|
UVR
|
1st Cleaner
|
58-20
|
Flotation
|
4.3%
|
31.4%
|
57.3%
|
16.1 times
|
UVR
|
2nd Cleaner
|
58-21
|
Flotation
|
3.9%
|
32.9%
|
54.1%
|
16.9 times
|
UVR
|
3rd Cleaner
|
58-20
|
Flotation
|
2.9%
|
41.1%
|
50.9%
|
21.1 times
|
UVR
|
3rd Cleaner
|
58-25
|
Flotation
|
2.2%
|
44.3%
|
45.1%
|
22.7 times
|
(1)
|
TREO and recovery are fully quantitative and derived from ICP
analysis
of Ce2O3 + La2O3 +
Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 +
Eu2O3 + Sm2O3 +
Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 +
Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 +
Er2O3 + Tm2O3 +
Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 +
Y2O3.
|
(2)
|
Based on an average 1.95% TREO starting head grade.
|
Since the February update, the size fraction method has continued
to
advance with impressive results. Regrinding of the coarse
fraction has
confirmed its appropriate classification into fine and middle
fractions, thereby necessitating only two sizes. Further, the
middle
fraction (which has seen flotation recoveries as high as 90%),
originally comprised 53% of the whole rock; however, it has since
been
increased to comprise up to 95% of the whole rock, with the
incorporation/elimination of the coarse fraction. Recoveries
of this
improved middle fraction (95% of whole rock) are currently
being
evaluated.
Reproducibility of high grade (>30%) mineral concentrates
continues to
be demonstrated under increasingly simplified conditions.
The
optimization has been achieved through varying parameters such
as
reagent dosage amounts, timing, pH control, etc., thereby allowing
the
reduction of cleaner stages (fewer stages to achieve same grade
and
recovery). In addition, recoveries in the first and most
important
rougher stage have been continually improved.
Another notable attribute of the method is the significant
reduction of
fluorite content (up to 90%) in the mineral concentrate during
rare
earth upgrading. The removal of fluorite simplifies the
subsequent
hydromet and allows for considerably higher TREO grades to be
achieved.
As is typical for rare earth deposits, two flowsheet circuits
are
strongly preferred to create a saleable end-product. The
first is the physical upgrade, typically a combination of grinding,
flotation, WHIMS, etc. to create
a RE mineral concentrate. The second is hydromet, which
involves
dissolution of the mineral concentrate, releasing the elements
from
their individual minerals into solution, followed by impurity
removal
and precipitation/purification of a RE saleable
end-product.
The ability to successfully complete the physical upgrade stage
(creating a RE mineral concentrate) is essential to a low cost
operation as all consumables are dramatically reduced, and there
is
less unwanted material to deal with during the hydromet that
follows.
In addition, the hydromet is simplified as fewer impurities are
present
along with the REEs in solution during the process.
The mineralogy of a rare earth deposit, and the ability to free
those
REE minerals from the gangue (waste) minerals, is one of the
most
critical aspects in REE project evaluation. The high-grade
mineral
concentrates currently being produced from Ashram are a direct
result
of the simple rare earth mineralogy of the deposit consisting
of
monazite, bastnaesite, and xenotime. These three minerals
contain
among the highest REO (>60%) contents of any known minerals,
dominate
current commercial processing, and share common and
conventional
processing techniques.
Hydromet
Two general approaches for liberating the REEs from their minerals
and
putting them into solution (hydrometallurgy) have been developed.
Each
has differing consumable requirements and efficiencies.
These are:
Sulphation Roast Method, whereby sulphuric acid
(H2SO4) is applied at elevated temperature
followed by water leaching to
dissolve the mineral concentrate into solution
Two Acid + WHIMS Method, whereby the mineral concentrate is leached
in hydrochloric acid (HCl)
to remove the carbonate, followed by WHIMS to remove the
fluorite, and
finally undergoing a sulphation roast followed by water leaching
to
dissolve the remaining mineral concentrate.
As previously discussed in the November
15th, 2012 News Release, the sulphation roast has
been successful at
recovering up to 95% of the total REEs into solution from
mineral
concentrates grading 10-12% TREO. The next phase of work is
currently
testing the sulphation roast on a >25% TREO mineral
concentrate. As
less fluorite and carbonate are present in higher grade mineral
concentrates, recoveries into solution are expected to improve
further,
with acid consumption expected to decrease significantly.
Currently, the mineral concentrates produced at Ashram have allowed
for
some of the lowest acid consumptions in the industry. Acid
consumption and related expenses are typically one of the
highest operating costs of a rare earth mine. For this
reason,
reducing the amount consumed is critical to moving a project
forward.
The Two Acid + WHIMS method adds two extra pre-steps (chemical
leach and
physical separation) to the Sulphation Roast Method that
reduces
overall acid consumption and simplifies the hydromet process by
removing additional waste minerals (carbonate and fluorite
respectively). Recent testwork has confirmed that an
HCl leach of a
mineral concentrate at ambient temperature will selectively
dissolve
the carbonate and not the REE bearing minerals, thereby
achieving
considerable upgrading with essentially zero REE loss. This
simple
method, developed at Hazen, allows for near perfect REE recovery
with a
minimal HCl consumption of 220 kg (100% HCl basis) per tonne of
mineral
concentrate (28 kg/t of HCl per tonne of whole rock mined).
This is an ~80% decrease in HCl consumption compared to earlier
tests (See February 20th,
2013 News Release).
The material was then subjected to WHIMS for fluorite removal
(additional physical upgrading), with the sulphation roast
testwork, as
described above in Method 1.
The result of the process (flotation + HCl leach + WHIMS) is
considerable upgrading with minimal REE loss and considerable
weight/volume reduction. Results of experiment 3572-115 (HCl
leach)
and 3638-98 (WHIMS) are presented in the table below.
Table 2: TREO Grade Upgrading by HCl Leach of Mineral
Concentrate
Followed by WHIMS
|
Whole Rock
Material
|
REE Mineral
Concentrate(1)
|
HCl Leached REE
Mineral
Concentrate(1)
|
WHIMS
(Magnetic Fraction)(1)
|
TREO Grade(1)
|
~2.0%
|
10.2%
|
14.2%
|
20.8%
|
Upgrade Ratio
Between Stage
|
5.1 times (66% recovery, 87% mass rejection)
|
|
|
|
1.3 times (100% recovery, 34% mass rejection)
|
|
|
|
1.5 times (97% recovery, 45% mass rejection)
|
|
10.4 times total upgrade from whole rock (64% recovery,
95% mass
rejection)
|
(1)
|
TREO and recovery are fully quantitative and derived from ICP
analysis
of Ce2O3 + La2O3 +
Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 +
Eu2O3 + Sm2O3 +
Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 +
Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 +
Er2O3 + Tm2O3 +
Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 +
Y2O3.
|
Trade-off Study for Hydromet Location
A trade-off study for the location of the hydromet facility
('cracking
facility') has been initiated with a report expected in Q3
2013. The
study will assess the economic viability of constructing a
hydromet
facility at the mine site, or at a more southern location closer
to
infrastructure, a skilled workforce, and sources of
consumables. The
results of this evaluation will help constrain options for the
flowsheet and saleable end-products, as well as the
viability/practicality of a fluorine based by-product. The
PEA base
case assumed a hydromet facility at the mine-site; however, a
facility
constructed in a less remote area is expected to significantly
lower
the CAPEX and OPEX of that facility, and in turn, the overall
project.
Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geol.,
Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a
Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101,
supervised
the preparation of the technical information in this news
release.
Eric Larochelle, Eng, and Alain Dorval, Eng., Manager- Process,
Mining
and Mineral Processing., of Roche Ltd, Consulting Group,
Qualified
Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed the
technical information presented in this news release.
About Hazen Research Inc.
Hazen Research Inc., located in Colorado
U.S.A, is an industry leader in
metallurgical processing including rare earths. Their
expertise
extends across many commodities including base, precious, and
rare
metals, as well as pilot plant level studies.
Over their 50+ year history, extensive experience in the metallurgy
of
rare earths has been developed via direct involvement on many
rare
earth projects having varying ore and gangue mineralogy. They
are
therefore, very well-known to industry, within and outside
North
America, as a leader in mineral beneficiation and
hydrometallurgical
processing of raw materials, including rare earth mineralized
material.
Hazen is the primary metallurgical facility focused on defining
the
beneficiation and hydrometallurgical flowsheet for the Ashram
Deposit.
About UVR-FIA GmbH
UVR-FIA GmbH, located in Freiberg
Germany, is a mineral processing and
research facility with roots dating back to 1954. The
surrounding
region has a history of over 800 years of mining and smelting
with
Freiberg hosting the world oldest university of mining and
metallurgy
in the world (Freiberg University of Mining and Technology,
established
in 1765).
R. Gerhard Merker, a mineral
processing engineer (Dipl.-Ing.) and
leading expert in flotation of carbonate and fluorite-bearing
bastnaesite ores, is consultant and manager of the Ashram
Deposit's
test work at UVR. Mr. Merker has over 30 years'
experience in the raw
material and recycling industry including several years studying
the
Dong Pao Rare Earth Deposit in Vietnam and other RE deposits.
UVR-FIA is working in tandem with Hazen Research to complete the
Ashram
Deposit`s flowsheet with a focus on fluorite separation from the
rare
earth minerals.
About the Ashram Rare Earth Element Deposit
The Ashram Rare Earth Element (REE) Deposit is a carbonatite within
the
Eldor Property, located in north-eastern Quebec. The Deposit has a
measured and indicated resource of 29.3 million tonnes at 1.90%
TREO
and an inferred resource of 219.8 million tonnes at 1.88% TREO.
The
deposit boasts a well-balanced distribution with enrichment in
the
light, middle and heavy rare earth elements including all five of
the
most critical elements (neodymium, europium, dysprosium, terbium,
and
yttrium).
The REEs at Ashram occur in simple and well-understood mineralogy,
being
primarily in the mineral monazite and to a lesser extent in
bastnaesite
and xenotime. These minerals dominate the currently known
commercial
extraction processes for rare earths.
A Preliminary Economic Assessment, completed in May of 2012 by
SGS-Geostat of Montreal
(Blainville) (see news release
dated May 24,
2012), outlines highly robust economics for the Ashram
Deposit. The
PEA is based on a 4,000 tonne per day open-pit operation with
an
initial 25-year mine life (300 years at economic cut-off if
open-pit +
underground development), a pre-tax and pre-finance Net Present
Value
(NPV) of $2.32 billion at a 10%
discount rate, a pre-tax/pre-finance
Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 44%, and a pre-tax/pre-finance
payback
period of 2.25 years.
The company continues to advance the Ashram Deposit with
metallurgical
programs at both UVR-FIA and Hazen Research.
About Commerce Resources Corp.
Commerce Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company
with
a particular focus on deposits of rare metals and rare earth
elements.
The Company is focused on the development of its Upper Fir Tantalum
and
Niobium Deposit in British
Columbia and the Ashram Rare Earth Element
Deposit in Quebec.
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.
"David Hodge"
David Hodge
President and Director
Tel: 604.484.2700
Email: dhodge@commerceresources.com
Neither 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.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information which are
subject
to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that
could
cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in
the
forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements in this
press
release include the focus of the metallurgical work, the results of
the
on-going metallurgical programs the reported grades and potential
cost
reductions, that the Ashram deposit can be developed economically
as an
open-pit mine; all reference to and information contained in
the
pre-feasibility study; that the deposit is well positioned to
enter
production at a level which will have a meaningful impact in the
light,
middle and heavy REE supply chain; recoveries are expected to
improve;
acid consumption is expected to decreased significantly; location
and
construction of a Hyrdomet location. These forward-looking
statements
are based on the opinions and estimates of management and its
consultants at the date the information is disseminated. They
are
subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors
that
could cause actual events or results to differ materially from
those
projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that
could change or prevent these statements from coming to
fruition include the ability to finance ongoing exploration,
development and metallurgical programs, changing costs for mining
and
processing; changing forecasts of mine production rates; the timing
and
content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based
on
drilling that may change with more detailed information;
potential
process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on test
work;
the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the
products
produced; market pricing for the products produced; and despite
the
current expected viability of the project, conditions changing
such
that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or
that
the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can
be
obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given
as
of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to
update
or revise such information to reflect new events or
circumstances,
except as required by law.
SOURCE Commerce Resources Corp.