Dr. Hammen is the inventor of Solid Phase Extraction ("SPE") technologies for the chemical separation of various materials. SPE is an innovative American technology, developed by Dr. Hammen in cooperation with the EPA and National Science Foundation. Dr. Hammen has been granted multiple US patents for these inventions and most recently has been focusing his research on the development of SPE products for the mining industry as President of IntelliMet LLC, of Missoula Montana.
Dr. Hammen has over 40 years of experience in the field of analytical chemistry. He is a former director of the Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at NASA / Caltech Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He was a founding employee of Vestar Inc., a biotech company started by Cal Tech faculty and affiliates, and former CEO of ChromatoChem Inc and ChelaTech Inc.
Dr. Hammen received a B.S. degree in Chemistry from Stanford University and subsequently a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Hammen was a postdoctoral scholar at UCLA, and competed in World Championships on the US National Cycling Team.
"We're honored that a scientist of Dr. Hammen's caliber has agreed to join Ucore on an ongoing basis," said Jim McKenzie, President & CEO of Ucore, "His development of SPE as a uniquely American technology has the potential to significantly improve on traditional rare earth separation processes, and leap frog the United States as a competitive source of HREE's in the international arena. We welcome his addition to the Ucore team."
Background
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is a well-funded development-phase mining company focused on establishing rare metal resources with near term production potential. With multiple projects across North America, Ucore's primary focus is the 100% owned Bokan - Dotson Ridge REE property in Alaska. The Bokan - Dotson ridge REE project is located 60 km southwest of Ketchikan, Alaska and 140 km northwest of Prince Rupert, British Columbia and has direct ocean access to the western seaboard and the Pacific Rim, a significant advantage in developing near term production facilities and limiting the capital costs associated with mine construction.
The Bokan property is particularly enriched with heavy rare earth elements, including the critical elements Dysprosium, Terbium and Yttrium. Approximately 40% (by weight) of the rare earth elements contained on the Dotson Ridge property are heavy rare earths elements, as disclosed in the Company's NI43-101 compliant resource estimate, released in March of 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
Mr. Jim McKenzie Ucore Rare Metals Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer (902) 482-5214 www.ucore.com
