Demonstration Plant Engineering Update
Montreal, August 06, 2020 – Geomega Resources Inc. (“Geomega” or the “Corporation”) (TSX:V.GMA) (OTC: GOMRF), a developer of clean technologies for the mining, refining and recycling of rare earths, is very pleased to provide an update on engineering and development activities for the demonstration plant at St-Bruno, Quebec.
Geomega has now received from Hatch Ltd (“Hatch”) process flow diagrams, equipment list, utilities, stream tables and a heat and mass balance for the process that was developed by Dr. Pouya Hajiani, Geomega’s Chief Technology Officer. Several modifications and improvements were made on the process, which will be undergoing several demonstration test runs using the Corporation’s pilot unit at its facilities in Boucherville, Quebec. The test runs of the updated process will also be used to collect data on emissions for permitting purposes. The modifications and improvements include a simplification of several units of operation, validation of various parameters for equipment selection and by-product recovery. The pilot test runs are all expected to take place during the month of August while other in-house engineering activities are continuing.
“We are very pleased with the results received and the improved process for rare earths recycling from permanent magnets.” said Kiril Mugerman, President & CEO of Geomega. “The pilot test runs will provide demonstration to Geomega of the modifications that were done over the last 7 months and will support the Corporation in performing the next phase of engineering work, which will then allow us to proceed with vendor selection and equipment ordering. Although we have encountered delays both in engineering and in general due to the COVID-19 pandemic, our project is advancing well. We are continuing discussions with potential suppliers and construction partners and will provide additional information when available. As North America appears to be establishing domestic permanent magnet production in North America, we believe the timing of our development of our demonstration plant at St-Bruno, Quebec is right and Geomega is looking forward to being part of the global circular economy for rare earths.” Added Mr. Mugerman.
Rare Earth Magnets
According to industry estimates, permanent magnets are a $21 billion-a-year (US dollars) global market split between high performance magnets (70%) and lower performance ferrite magnets (30%) used in applications such as chargers for electrical devices and other applications where weight and performance are less important and operating conditions are less extreme.
At $13.8 billion, rare earth magnets dominate the high-performance magnet market, replacing aluminum-nickel-cobalt and samarium-cobalt technologies. Industry sources project the global rare earth magnet market will expand by nearly 100% to $27.0 billion in 2027.
In 2019, the U.S. purchased approximately 12,000 metric tonnes of rare earth magnets at an average price of approximately $71,000 per tonne, according to industry estimates, representing 6% of the global rare earth magnet market. Note that this does not include magnets in finished and semi-finished products that are imported – since the U.S. was approximately 23.6% of global GDP in 2019, total imports of magnets could be at least four times the magnet-only numbers.
If the U.S. merely maintains its current 6% share of the global market, annual purchases of rare earth magnets could increase by more than 7,000 tonnes by 2027, or an annual increase of more than 900 tonnes per year.
About Geomega (www.geomega.ca)
Based in Boucherville and St-Bruno, Quebec, Canada, Geomega Resources has developed a proprietary, environmentally friendly “ISR Technology” that recycles rare earth elements with focus on the permanent magnet industry and produces four high demand, high price, rare earth elements (HHREE), specifically Nd, Pr, Tb and Dy.
The Corporation is advancing towards initial production from its demonstration plant to supply HHREE’s to North America and other parts of the world.
Geomega also owns the Montviel rare earth carbonatite deposit and holds over 16.8M shares, representing approximately 19% of the issued and outstanding shares, of Kintavar Exploration Inc. (KTR.V), a mineral exploration company that is advancing the Mitchi stratiform copper project in Quebec.
For further information, please contact:
Kiril Mugerman
President and CEO
Geomega
450-641-5119 ext.5653
kmugerman@geomega.ca
Nancy Thompson
Vorticom Public Relations
212.532.2208
nancyt@vorticom.com
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This news release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking information” or “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information and statements may include, among others, statements regarding future plans, costs, objectives or performance of the Corporation, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “likely”, “believe”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “plan”, “estimate” “target” and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including as regards the commercialization of any of the technology referred to above, or if any of them do so, what benefits the Corporation will derive. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or management’s good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Corporation’s control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under “Risk Factors” in the Corporation’s annual management’s discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended May 31, 2019, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not intend, nor does the Corporation undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws.