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Showing posts with label Neodymium. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neodymium. Show all posts

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Focus Graphite and SOQUEM Confirm the High Content of Critical Rare Earth Elements

Focus Graphite Inc.Focus Graphite Inc.

TSX VENTURE : FMS
OTCQX : FCSMF
FRANKFURT : FKC


February 06, 2013 11:52 ET

 Focus Graphite and SOQUEM Confirm the High Content of Critical Rare Earth Elements at Kwyjibo with 2.95% TREO and 1.44% Cu Over 10 m at Surface



OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Feb. 6, 2013) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSX VENTURE:FMS)(OTCQX:FCSMF)(FRANKFURT:FKC) ("Focus" or the "Corporation") and partner SOQUEM Inc. ("SOQUEM") are pleased to provide an update of their 2012 exploration program at the Kwyjibo polymetallic Iron-Rare Earth Elements-Copper-(Gold) (Fe-REE-Cu-(Au)) Property ("Kwyjibo" or the "Property"), located in the Côte-Nord administrative district of Québec. The 2012 exploration program at Kwyjibo comprised of surface showing and trench re-sampling, core drilling and ground geophysical surveying.
Highlights of the Josette showing and trench re-sampling program include:
  • Josette showing: 2.95% TREO, 37.35% REOc* and 1.44 % Cu over 10 m, including a high-grade sub-zone of: 4.59% TREO, 35.58 % REOc*, and 2.62 % Cu over 2m.
  • Trench TR-95-30: 4.13% TREO, 36.08% REOc* and 0.23 % Cu over 2 m.
  • Trench TR-95-29: 3.58% TREO, 39.90% REOc*and 0.17% Cu over 1.5 m.
*The ratio of critical rare earth elements ("REOc") is defined by The U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") as the sum of Nd+Eu+Tb+Dy+Y oxides divided by total rare earth oxides (TREO) : REOc = ((Nd2O3+Eu2O3+Tb2O3+Dy2O3+Y2O3)/TREO)*100. The REOc ratio is the expression of the importance of those REEs sought by the industry without considering the technological challenge to recover the REE and all the costs related to a mine development. 

The new 2012 analytical results highlight the increasing total rare earth content of the mineralization related to the assaying of heavy rare earth elements in comparison to the 1995 analytical results. In 1995, only La, Ce and Sm were analyzed out of the suite of 17 rare earth elements at the Josette showing and in trenches TR-95-30 and TR-95-29.

In 2012, 10 new channel samples were collected at the Josette showing, two new channel samples were collected from trench TR-95-30 and one chip sample was taken from trench TR-95-29. The 13 samples were analyzed for the complete range of rare earth elements (Table 1). The 2012 results confirm the high heavy rare-earth elements ("HREE") content of the mineralization at Kwyjibo as well as the high ratio of critical rare earth elements (REOc) which ranges from 32.34% to 41.14%.

A map of the Kwyjibo property showing the location of Josette showing, trench TR-95-30 and trench  TR-95-29 is available on the Company's website at www.focusgraphite.com.
Table 1. Results of the re-sampling program at the Josette showing and at Trenches TR-95-30 and TR-95-29:
Sample Length TREO HREO REOc Nd2O3 Eu2O3 Tb2O3 Dy2O3 Y2O3 Fe2O3 P2O5 Cu F Mo Au
m % % % % % % % % % % % % ppm g/t
Josette showing
181151 1 3,55 33,37 41,14 0,518 0,013 0,019 0,117 0,794 69,30 4,50 0,66 1,43 283 0,02
181152 1 4,55 27,42 37,54 0,722 0,024 0,021 0,124 0,819 52,40 3,51 3,40 4,49 791 0,18
181153 1 4,64 22,43 33,63 0,729 0,019 0,016 0,099 0,695 43,30 2,95 1,84 7,33 2820 0,14
181154 1 2,79 29,81 39,56 0,440 0,008 0,012 0,077 0,569 65,60 3,55 1,22 2,04 227 0,08
181155 1 3,48 29,77 39,29 0,538 0,014 0,016 0,098 0,703 51,50 2,92 1,44 6,79 775 0,10
181156 1 1,99 32,13 40,65 0,296 0,005 0,009 0,059 0,440 69,50 3,24 1,19 2,43 136 0,08
181157 1 1,97 19,28 32,34 0,342 0,004 0,006 0,038 0,246 78,50 2,52 0,48 1,14 28 0,03
181158 1 1,99 26,45 36,83 0,312 0,008 0,008 0,050 0,353 53,00 1,99 1,67 5,10 217 0,15
181159 1 2,68 24,90 35,59 0,426 0,009 0,011 0,065 0,443 50,80 2,55 1,78 5,20 363 0,08
181160 1 1,86 26,58 36,97 0,301 0,006 0,008 0,049 0,325 70,90 2,46 0,76 1,75 23 0,07
Composite 10 2,95 27,21 37,35 0,462 0,011 0,013 0,077 0,539 60,48 3,02 1,44 3,77 566 0,09
Composite 2* 2 4,59 24,93 35,58 0,725 0,021 0,019 0,112 0,757 47,85 3,23 2,62 5,91 1805 0,16
TR-95-30
181163 1 5,49 21,34 34,06 0,956 0,016 0,019 0,114 0,765 58,30 4,31 0,18 1,44 151 n.a.
181164 1 2,78 26,92 38,11 0,472 0,009 0,012 0,074 0,491 66,60 4,27 0,28 0,96 40 n.a.
Composite 2 4,13 24,13 36,08 0,714 0,013 0,016 0,094 0,628 62,45 4,29 0,23 1,20 96 n.a.
TR-95-29
181166 1,5 3,58 29,30 39,90 0,611 0,012 0,017 0,105 0,683 66,80 4,86 0,17 0,79 16 n.a.
n.a. = not analyzed
(*) Composite of 2 meters from samples 181152 and 181153
TREO : Total rare earth oxides = La2O3+Ce2O3+Pr2O3+Nd2O3+Sm2O3+Eu2O3+Gd2O3+Tb2O3+Dy2O3+Ho2O3+Er2O3+Tm2O3+Lu2O3+Y2O3
HREO : Relative content (%) of heavy rare earth oxides = ((Tb2O3+Dy2O3+Ho2O3+Er2O3+Tm2O3+Lu2O3+Y2O3)/TREO)*100
REOc : Ratio of critical rare earth elements = ((Nd2O3+Eu2O3+Tb2O3+Dy2O3+Y2O3)/TREO)*100
The results of the rare earth elements assay program are expressed as total rare earth oxides (TREO), including yttrium oxide and ratio of critical rare earth elements (REOc*). Values of TREO (REE2O3) presented are the sum of all rare earth oxides of the lanthanide series and yttrium oxide; strictly not a rare earth element, yttrium is included in the total amount of REE because of the chemical behaviour and uses that are similar to the lanthanides.

The Josette showing was re-sampled in a composite of ten (10) one-meter long channels, cut parallel to the 1995 channels. For trench TR-95-30, a new two-meter long channel was cut parallel to the trench blasted in 1995 while for trench TR-95-29, chips samples were taken over 1.5 meters intervals. The total length of the 2012 sampling channels in both trenches (TR-95-29 & TR-95-30) is less than in 1995 by 5.4 m due to destruction of portions of the original outcrops caused by the blasting done in 1995, and also because of the subsequent infilling of the trenches by blocks of rocks and dirt and the strong weathering of the outcrop in trench TR-95-29.

Quality assurance / Quality control
The channels were cut with a rock saw perpendicular to the main foliation of the iron-rich rock (magnetitite). All the channels are one meter long by 2.5 cm wide and vary in depth from 10 to 15 cm. For each channel, the rock samples were broken into pieces and then placed into a plastic bag. In the case of Trench TR-95-29, chips samples of 5 to 10 cm long, by 5 to 10 cm wide and 1 to 5 cm thick were collected from the weathered outcrop over 1.5 m intervals and then placed into a plastic bag. A numbered tag from the ALS laboratory was inserted into the bag prior to the sealing of the bag with a tie-wrap. The sample bags were carried to the camp by helicopter then loaded onto a float plane to Sept-Îles and sent by a carrier to ALS Laboratories ("ALS") in Val-d'Or (a certified laboratory; ISO 9001:2008 and ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for standards).

The samples were analyzed for all rare earth elements, most traces and major elements. Due to the limited number of channel samples analyzed, no standard or blank were introduced except the one used by the laboratory. Rare earths and trace elements were analyzed using lithium borate fusion of the sample prior to acid dissolution and analyzed by ICP-MS (Induced-Couples Plasma Mass Spectrometry). This method is best suitable for minerals resistant to acid digestion, like some REE-bearing silicates. For REE high grades samples, a re-analysis of the pulp was performed using high sample to volume ratios in addition to Class A volumetric glassware. ALS laboratory used certified high grade rare earth reference materials as part of their standard protocol. Major elements were analyzed using a lithium borate fusion of the sample prior to acid dissolution and analyzed by ICP-AES (Induced-Couples Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry). REE, traces and major elements were analyzed at ALS laboratories in Vancouver. For sulphide-bearing samples, copper, lead, silver, zinc and sulphur were digested in aqua regia, then analyzed by AAS technique (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry). Gold was analyzed by fire assay and AAS with a 50g nominal sample weight. Base metals and precious metals were analyzed at ALS in Val-d'Or.

2012 core drilling program
Thirty-one (31) holes (4,207 m) were drilled at Kwyjibo in 2012 with the aim of validating grades, thicknesses and continuity of the REE-Fe-Cu mineralization in the northeastern portion of the Josette horizon, where the best drilling intersections were obtained in 2011 from hole 10885-11-57 with 2.40% TREO over 48.8m and hole 10885-11-60 with 3.61% TREO over 33.1m (see Focus Metals press release dated March 13th 2012).

A map of the Kwyjibo property showing the location of the 31 drill holes is available on the Company's website at www.focusgraphite.com.

A total of 1,333 samples (1,249 half NQ drill core samples; 23 duplicates; 29 standard samples and 32 blank samples) were sent to ALS in Val-d'Or and Vancouver, for total rare earth elements, base metals, major elements and trace element analysis. The results from the 2012 core drilling program are pending.

Surface and borehole TDEM geophysical surveys
A ground time-domain electromagnetic ("TDEM") geophysical survey and a borehole Pulse-EM survey were completed by Abitibi Geophysic Inc. from Val-d'Or (Québec) in early October. A total of 75 km of lines were surveyed on five different loops that covered all significant VTEM anomalies from the 2006 survey and all known occurrences of the iron formation on the Kwyjibo Property.
Thirty (30) drill holes (5.492 m), were surveyed with borehole Pulse-EM on three loops. Eight (8) holes from the 1994 to 2011 core drilling programs were also surveyed for a total of 1,219 m for the most northeastern Grabuge - Gabriel showings loop. A total of 2,089 m from 11 drill holes (1994 to 2012) were surveyed on loop that straddled the Fluorine and Josette showings grids. Finally, 2,184 m from 11 holes (1995 to 2012) were surveyed in the loop that covers most of the Josette horizon and the Josette grid.
The new ground and borehole geophysical data are currently being processed and interpreted by MB Geosolution of Québec City. High-priority geophysical targets from the 2012 surveys will be followed-up though drilling in 2013.
Metallurgical tests and mineralogical study
A first round of metallurgical tests is planned at Kwyjibo this year. The testing will be performed on two representative samples of the mineralized iron formation (magnetitite) and the mineralized breccia in the aim to produce concentrates for critical rare earths, copper and iron. The first sample will be comprised of 80kg composite of mineralised rock from Josette showing. The second sample will consist of a 230kg composite from quarter-drill core samples from seven holes drilled below trenches TR-95-29 and TR-95-30. The contract to carry out the metallurgical testing has been awarded to COREM of Québec-City. In conjunction with the metallurgical testing, a mineralogical study will be undertaken in order to characterize the distribution of the REEs in the different REE-bearing minerals. Results from both studies are expected in the third quarter of 2013.
Property Location
The Kwyjibo polymetallic Iron-Rare Earth Elements-Copper-(Gold) (Fe-REE-Cu-(Au)) property, totalling 118 mining titles and covering 6,278 ha, is located 125 km northeast of Sept-Îles, in the Côte-Nord administrative district of Québec. The property is also located 25 km east of the Québec North Shore and Labrador railway line and is accessible by air from Sept-Îles.
Terms of the Agreement
On August 3, 2010, the Company announced the signing of an option agreement with SOQUEM Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Société générale de financement du Québec ("SGF") (in April 2011, the SGF merged with Investissement Québec), to acquire a 50% interest in the Kwyjibo property.
Under the terms of the agreement, Focus could acquire a 50% interest in the Kwyjibo property, by spending up to $3 million in exploration work on the property over a period of 5 years of which $1 million had to be spent during the first 2 years. SOQUEM is the operator for the exploration work carried out on the property to date and Focus has the option to become the operator, by paying $50,000 in cash or issuing a block of common shares valued at $50,000. As of the year ended September 30, 2012 Focus had spent $3,244,173 on the Kwyjibo project (net of tax credits and mining duties) and has accordingly earned its 50% interest in the property.
About Focus Graphite
Focus Graphite Inc. is an emerging mid-tier junior mining development company, a technology solutions supplier and a business innovator. Focus is the owner of the Lac Knife graphite deposit located in the Côte-Nord region of northeastern Québec. The Lac Knife project hosts a NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated mineral resource of 4.972 Mt grading 15.7% carbon as crystalline graphite with an additional Inferred mineral resource of 3.000 Mt grading 15.6% crystalline graphite. Focus' goal is to assume an industry leadership position by becoming a low-cost producer of technology-grade graphite. On October 29th, 2012 the Company released the results of a Preliminary Economic Analysis ("PEA") of the Lac Knife project which demonstrates that the project has robust economics and excellent potential to become a profitable producer of graphite. As a technology-oriented enterprise with a view to building long-term, sustainable shareholder value, Focus Graphite is also investing in the development of graphene applications and patents through Grafoid Inc.
About SOQUEM Inc.
SOQUEM Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ressources Québec. Ressources Québec is a new Investissement Québec's subsidiary, specializes in the mining and hydrocarbon industries; it will consolidate and spur government investment in projects carried out by mining companies and the hydrocarbon sector.
The technical information presented in this press release has been reviewed by Benoit Lafrance, Ph.D., Géo (Québec), Focus Vice-President of Exploration and a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101.
Forward Looking Statements - Disclaimer
This news release may contain forward looking statements, being statements which are not historical facts, and discussions of future plans and objectives. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove accurate. Such statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those anticipated or projected. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are in our documents filed from time to time with the TSX Venture Exchange and provincial securities regulators, most of which are available at www.sedar.com Focus Graphite disclaims any intention or obligation to revise or update such statements.
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.

Contact Information


Mr. Gary Economo
President and Chief Executive Officer
613-691-1091, ext. 101
geconomo@focusgraphite.com
www.focusgraphite.com

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Rare Earth Elements discovered by TNR Gold Corp.

TNR Gold Corp.TNR Gold Corp.

TSX VENTURE : TNR




October 25, 2011 10:13 ET

TNR Gold Corp.: Preliminary Results at Seabrook Niobium-Rare-Earth Elements Property



VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 25, 2011) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE:TNR) ("TNR" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has completed preliminary work at the Seabrook Niobium and Rare Earth Elements ("REE") Property (the "Property") in northern Ontario.
Key Highlights:
  • Preliminary analyses confirms significant historical REE grades;
  • 45% of samples report >0.20% TREO;
  • Cerium, Neodymium, Lanthanum and Niobium oxide grades range up to:
    3,233 ppm Ce2O3, 1,779 ppm Nd2O3, 1,163 ppm La2O3, and 1,903 ppm Nb2O5; and
  • Preliminary soil orientation survey completed, awaiting results.
"We are encouraged by the rare-earth element levels and the corroboration of historical results reported from this initial sampling program," states Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of the Company. "This was the first step in a fully warranted comprehensive evaluation of the multi-commodity potential of the Property."
Seabrook Niobium – Rare-Earth Elements Project Update
Results from 22 geochemical and mineralogical characterization samples (grab samples*) are consistent with historical work by exploration companies and published work by Ontario government geologists. The following table summarizes samples containing greater than 0.20% Total Rare-Earth Oxides + Yttrium ("TREO+Y").
Sample ID TREO% CeO2 ppm Nd2O3 ppm La2O3 ppm Nb2O5 ppm
16205 0.71 3233 1779 1163 594
16204 0.48 2026 1065 842 1903
16206 0.42 1851 799 903 302
16222 0.31 1242 549 634 436
16207 0.28 1283 702 365 144
16203 0.28 1236 500 585 388
16211 0.27 1277 552 568 346
16216 0.25 1032 545 486 104
16209 0.24 1113 367 620 396
16208 0.24 1089 321 677 714
The Seabrook Carbonatite Complex hosts Niobium and Rare-Earth Element mineralization with Light Rare-Earth Elements (LREEs) dominating. LREEs account for 94% of TREO+Y in samples with ≥0.20% TREO+Y. Three LREEs account for approximately 84% of TREO+Y in samples with ≥0.20% TREO+Y. These are Cerium (~44%), Neodymium (~20%) and Lanthanum (~20%).

This initial survey of the property was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Frederick Breaks, P. Geo., and the Company's special advisor on Rare - Earth Element ("REE") exploration. Further mineralogical work is underway. Subsequent to the identification of historical workings in the hematite alteration zone an orientation soil survey was conducted in this area. Results of the soil survey are pending.

*Note: grab samples are by definition selective and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.

About the Seabrook Project
The Seabrook Project is located 100 kilometres northeast of Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario, covers 512 hectares and is accessible year round. The property encloses the Seabrook Carbonatite Complex which forms the area of prospective geology. Access to the property is by major paved highways with the final 10 kilometres on unpaved forest service road. Electrical transmission lines cross the southwest corner of the property.

The Seabrook Carbonatite is approximately 1.5 x 2.5 kilometres in area and elongated along a north-south trend forming a tadpole shaped complex consisting of sovite and silicocarbonatite in the bulbous northern portion and ijolite in the tail to the south. The entire complex is enveloped by a well developed aureole of fenitized granitic rocks.

Limited historical exploration of the Seabrook Carbonatite has indicated significant REE potential. In 1955, W. Bussineau reported 4 grab samples* grading 0.6, 1.5, 4.7 and 10.3% Nb2O5. In 1971, Canpac Minerals Ltd. and Gunnex Ltd. reported grab samples grading up to 0.90% Nb and outlined 3 areas of high Nb values that were never followed up by drilling. In 1977, as part of a geological survey of the Chapleau area for the Ontario Division of Mines, Thurston et al published data on a sample from a hematite-rich carbonate rock estimated to cover a 90m by 90m area and grading 0.47% Ce2O3 and 0.22% La2O3 where only those two Rare-Earth Elements (Ce and La) were analyzed.

Mr. John Harrop is the Company's qualified person on the Seabrook Project and as required under NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information contained in this press release.

Terminology used in this News Release
REE (Rare-Earth Element): any of Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praesodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb) and Lutetium (Lu) which form the Lanthanide series. Yttrium (Y) is also included as a REE.

TREO (Total Rare-Earth Oxides): The chemical component each REE is often given as an oxide rather than simple element. The combined total of La2O3, CeO2, Pr2O3, Nd2O3, Sm2O3, Eu2O3, Gd2O3, Tb2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3 and Lu2O3 is given as an aggregate grade summary. TREO+Y indicates Y2O3has been included in the aggregate.
LREE (Light Rare-Earth Element): Elements Lanthanum to Europium
HREE (Heavy Rare-Earth Element): Elements Gadolinium to Lutetium and Yttrium.
RM (Rare Metal): A number of metallic elements not included in other groups such as REE, precious metals, base metals, etc. Although Rare Metals are not as rigorously defined as other groups and have quite different chemistry, they generally include Li, Be, Rb, Cs, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta. Other elements are sometimes included.

ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.
TNR is a diversified international mineral exploration company focusing on the advancement of existing properties and identifying and acquiring new prospective projects. TNR has a portfolio of 18 active projects, of which 9 rare metals projects, including Mariana, is now held by TNR's now-listed subsidiary, ILC. TNR remains a large shareholder in ILC at 28% of outstanding shares.

The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the TNR and ILC's commitments to generating projects, diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.

On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President

Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, historical estimates should not be relied upon, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. News release contains certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
CUSIP: #87260X 109
SEC 12g3-2(b): Exemption #82-4434
Neither the 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.

Contact Information

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