Montreal, May 13, 2014 – Geomega Resources Inc. (“GéoMégA” or the “Company”) (TSX.V: GMA), is pleased to announce the conclusive benchmark results confirming physical separation of rare earth elements (“REE”) from a commercial mixed concentrate (“REE Concentrate”). GéoMégA’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.
| Elements | REE Concentrate | Montviel REE 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 % | < 0.01 % | |
| Al | 0.12 % | 0.06 % | |
| Sr | 0.07 % | < 0.01 % | |
| U | 0.01 % | < 0.01 % | |
| Th | < 0.01 % | < 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 GéoMégA.
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 GéoMégA (www.geomega.ca)
GéoMégA, which owns 100% of the Montviel REE/niobium project located in Québec, 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 Québec. GéoMégA 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 GéoMégA 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.
For further information please contact:
Simon Britt
President and CEO
GéoMégA
(450) 465-0099
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.