Showing posts with label rare earth elements. Show all posts

Thursday, February 7, 2013

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

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 13^th 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 29^th, 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

Monday, October 1, 2012

US Department of Defense Contracts With Ucore for Metallurgical & SPE Studies

(ccnm)

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Oct. 1, 2012) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:UCU)(OTCQX:UURAF) ("Ucore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that the United States Department of Defense (DOD) has contracted with Ucore via the Company's US operating subsidiary Landmark Alaska L.P. to conduct a mineralogical and metallurgical study on the Company's Bokan Mountain heavy REE property in Southeast Alaska. The program, to be managed by DOD under the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) will focus on possible development of Bokan Mountain, America's largest NI 43-101 compliant heavy rare earth resource, to meet the requirements of the Department of Defense for an ongoing supply of critical heavy REE's. Under the agreement, Ucore will provide DOD with the most up-to-date data on the Bokan project's mineralogy and proprietary bench and pilot scale Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) nanotechnology research.

According to a March 2012 report from DOD, yttrium, terbium, and dysprosium are all considered to be "critical to the production, sustainment, or operation of significant United States military equipment," as well as "subject to interruption of supply, based on actions or events outside the control of the government of the United States." Yttrium, in particular, was shown to be in deficit when considering projected future domestic supply.

This announcement demonstrates strong interest by the U.S. Government in domestic mining and production of rare earth elements to support the heavy rare earth requirements of DOD. Bokan Mountain is the richest domestic source of three heavy rare earth elements -dysprosium, terbium, and yttrium - which are critical to several advanced weapon systems, such as stealth helicopters and precision-guided weapons. Currently, all of the world's commercially-available heavy rare earth elements are produced in China. Ongoing production and export quotas have limited the availability of these materials to global markets.

"The United States does not yet have the capability to produce three of the heavy rare earths that occur naturally and in abundance in Bokan Mountain," said Jim McKenzie, President and CEO of Ucore. "The Department of Defense's investment in the Bokan deposit and Ucore's proprietary SPE technology represents a significant step toward recapturing the rare earths technological lead surrendered to China decades ago. What's more, the DOD relationship adds a great deal of credibility to Ucore's domestic supply chain development, representing one of the largest purchasing capabilities amongst prospective customers worldwide."

About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
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.

Jim McKenzie, President and CEO
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Mr. Jim McKenzie
Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
President and Chief Executive Officer
(902) 482-5214
www.ucore.com

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Ucore Rare Metals Releases 2011 Bokan Drill Results Pending Augmented Resource Calculation

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA--(Marketwire - Jan. 23, 2012) - Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:UCU)(OTCQX:UURAF) ("Ucore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce finalized assay results from the 2011 drill program at the Bokan-Dotson Ridge rare earth element (REE) project in southeast Alaska. The 2011 drill program produced a total of 10,112 metres of core from 34 diamond drill holes. The data will be used to upgrade the status of the existing National Instrument (NI) 43-101 compliant resources from Inferred to Indicated and to increase the size of the existing mineral resources at Dotson Ridge. Together with the previous Ucore drill programs from 2007 to 2010, the Company has now completed 134 drill holes in total, comprising 19,662 meters of core at the Bokan property.

A map showing the location of the drill holes reported in this press release can be accessed on the Company's website (http://ucore.com/2011drillholes).
The following table summarizes significant intersected values from 27 out of 34 holes completed in 2011.

2011 Assay Drill Core Results

Hole	Depth From(m)	Depth to(m)	Width (m)	LREO (wt.%)	HREO (wt.%)	TREO (wt.%)	HREO/TREO (%)

LM11-92	151.93	153.72	1.79	0.53	0.52	1.04	50
LM11-92	167.36	171.1	3.08	0.27	0.15	0.42	36
LM11-92	179.27	181.67	2.4	0.32	0.20	0.51	38
LM11-101	154.63	156.65	2.02	0.59	0.20	0.79	25
LM11-103	184.4	186.56	2.16	0.39	0.30	0.69	43
LM11-105	147.55	151.26	3.71	0.62	0.24	0.86	28
LM11-106	189.5	192	2.5	0.48	0.15	0.63	24
LM11-106	296.2	298.7	2.5	0.29	0.19	0.48	40
LM11-107	109.26	113.55	4.29	0.14	0.18	0.32	57
LM11-108	139.65	141.17	1.52	0.31	0.33	0.64	51
LM11-109	153.87	155.72	1.85	0.18	0.23	0.41	56
LM11-110	222.45	226.77	4.32	0.32	0.33	0.80	51
LM11-112	76.42	79.32	2.9	0.58	0.17	0.75	22
LM11-112	121.01	123.26	2.25	0.19	0.28	0.47	60
LM11-112	125.07	131	4.68	0.22	0.16	0.38	42
LM11-113	160.8	161.6	0.8	0.45	0.53	0.97	54
LM11-113	164.03	166.38	2.35	0.41	0.34	0.75	45
LM11-114	156.36	157.05	0.69	0.33	0.24	0.57	42
LM11-114	209.63	210.65	1.02	0.55	1.51	2.06	73
LM11-114	219.81	222.02	2.21	0.56	0.30	0.86	35
LM11-115	142.72	144.66	1.94	0.67	0.51	1.18	43
LM11-115	153.24	154.45	1.21	0.59	0.44	1.03	42
LM11-116	126.24	128.75	2.51	0.52	0.22	0.74	30
LM11-116	132.31	133.76	1.45	0.42	0.11	0.53	21
LM11-116	151.53	156.8	2.79	0.28	0.34	0.62	55
LM11-116	161	162.5	1.5	0.32	0.32	0.64	49
LM11-116	173.9	175.6	1.7	0.46	0.38	0.84	45
LM11-117	217.62	236.55	5.71	0.27	0.37	0.65	58
LM11-117	249.95	255.75	3.85	0.39	0.17	0.56	30
LM11-118	94.98	96.04	1.06	0.63	0.24	0.88	28
LM11-118	144.68	146.77	2.09	0.33	0.23	0.56	41
LM11-119	191.1	193.5	2.4	0.26	0.10	0.36	28
LM11-119	258.74	261.26	2.52	0.29	0.15	0.44	34
LM11-119	268.24	270.5	2.26	0.34	0.15	0.49	32
LM11-120	178	179.93	1.93	0.49	0.26	0.75	35
LM11-121	215.57	217.63	2.06	0.31	0.21	0.52	40
LM11-121	222.46	225.35	2.89	0.43	0.34	0.77	44
LM11-122	55.16	56.5	1.34	0.33	0.30	0.63	47
LM11-122	80.07	82.17	2.1	0.26	0.28	0.54	52
LM11-122	86.12	87.69	1.57	0.41	0.40	0.81	49
LM11-123	82.47	85.69	3.22	0.37	0.32	0.68	46
LM11-123	96.75	99.62	2.87	0.18	0.21	0.40	53
LM11-123	123.07	126.43	3.36	0.62	0.47	1.09	43
LM11-124	112.1	113.81	1.71	0.26	0.19	0.46	43
LM11-124	129.4	132.88	3.48	0.39	0.28	0.67	42
LM11-125	180.83	182.17	1.34	0.29	0.16	0.44	35
LM11-125	184.42	186.69	2.27	0.48	0.56	1.04	53
LM11-125	203.59	205.79	2.2	0.38	0.30	0.68	44
LM11-126	86.52	88.42	1.9	0.99	0.36	1.36	27
LM11-126	96.15	99.54	3.3	0.62	0.28	0.90	31
LM11-127	161.35	162.91	1.56	1.60	1.47	3.07	48
LM11-127	197.78	199.54	1.76	1.37	0.70	2.06	34
LM11-127	228.67	234.23	2.67	0.35	0.16	0.51	31
LM11-128	151.46	161.13	4.94	0.42	0.29	0.71	41
LM11-128	162.84	165.85	3.01	0.56	0.28	0.84	33
LM11-128	175.13	193.88	3.05	0.73	0.32	1.05	31
LM11-129	268.9	271.66	2.76	1.07	0.55	1.62	34
LM11-129	319.94	321.2	1.86	1.57	0.64	2.22	29

LREO = Light rare earth elements: La, Ce, Pr, Nd, and Sm as oxide
HREO = Heavy rare earth elements: Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, and Y as oxide
TREO = Total rare earth oxides: LREO + HREO
Totals may not equal due to rounding
Major contributing rare earth oxides to LREO and TREO: La2O3, Ce2O3, Nd2O3
Major contributing rare earth oxides to HREO: Dy2O3, Gd2O3, Y2O3

"The completion and analysis of the 2011 drill program is another significant milestone for Ucore," said Jim McKenzie, President and CEO of the Company. "The 2011 drill program is remarkable for being the most ambitious to date, generating more linear metres of core during one season than in all of the previous drill seasons combined. The sheer size of the 2011 program clearly demonstrates that Ucore is rapidly increasing the scale and intensity of its development activities at Bokan. What's more, the rare earth grades obtained this year surpass all prior years, with several intercepts ranging from 2-3% TREO. The total core volume generated this year has been more than sufficient to upgrade the bulk of the existing resource from Inferred to Indicated under NI 43-101 guidelines, as the Company counts down to the release of a Preliminary Economic Assessment in the near future."

The 2011 exploration program confirmed the integrity and continuity of the Dotson Zone. The zone has a strike length of more than 2,000 metres, with an average width of 50 metres, and contains at least 24 high-grade mineralized veins or vein-arrays. The zone remains open both at depth and on strike. 2011 drill results show that there are multiple wide and high grade intersections within the steeper holes, indicating that the already high grade mineralization is apparently strengthening at depth. The results both reinforce and augment the historical U.S. Bureau of Mines resource estimate and geological model for the area (Warner & Barker; USBM OFR 33-89). The USBM model inferred persistent rare earth mineralization in the subject zone both along the strike and at the depth, in combination with anomalously high ratios of heavy to total rare earth elements.

In addition to standard diamond drilling, the 2011 field program included the generation of numerous bulk surface samples. These bulk samples are serving as input material for plant-scale metallurgical and innovative X-ray transmission ore sorting testwork being conducted at Hazen Research Inc. of Golden Colorado and Commodas Ultrasort of Hamburg Germany, respectively (see Ucore press release "Ucore XRT Testing Shows Prospective Doubling of Mill Feed Grade" Oct 31, 2011). The 2011 field program additionally included comprehensive environmental baseline testing, as well as desktop engineering studies, as a prelude to mine planning and development commencing in 2012. Beyond the central exploration targets at Dotson Ridge, Ucore exploration geologists conducted surface work at several Bokan-area REE occurrences in 2011, using prior USBM studies as a means of generating outbound targets.

NI 43-101 Compliance
The diamond drill core was split on site, with half the core transported by commercial carriers to the Activation Laboratories analytical facility in Stewart, B.C., Canada and analyzed at their labs in Ancaster, Ontario. Check assay samples were submitted to ALS Laboratories in Anchorage, Alaska, USA and analyzed at ALS Laboratories in Vancouver, B.C. Sample containers were sealed and chain of custody was maintained throughout the transport. The QA/QC program included the insertion of certified standards, blanks and duplicates in the submitted sample shipment; and laboratory insertion and analysis of standards and blanks, duplicates and re-splits. Analyses were made by inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry with lithium metaborate fusion, reporting whole rock analyses as an additional quality control measure. Reported values are length-weighted averages from multiple samples. All widths reported are core intercepts and do not reflect true width of the mineralized structure. Jim Robinson, P.Geo. (NWT), an independent geologist with Aurora Geosciences, has prepared the technical data relative to the drill assays provided herein and is the qualified person responsible for their accuracy.

Background
Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is a well-funded junior exploration company focused on establishing REE, uranium and other rare metal resources through exploration and property acquisition. 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 expediting mine production and limiting the capital costs associated with mine construction.

The Bokan properties are located in an area reserved for sustainable resource development with an existing road network providing access to the main target areas. REE mineralization at the Bokan-Dotson ridge project occurs in a well-demarcated vein system related to a Mesozoic Bokan peralkaline granitic complex. However, a number of other occurrences of REE mineralization are also located within, or at the margins of the complex. Viewed in a geological and geophysical context, the Bokan complex is a distinctive circular structure and is highly prospective for rare earth deposits.

This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of financing, and general economic, market or business conditions.

Contact Information

Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Mr. Jim McKenzie
President and Chief Executive Officer
(902) 482-5214
www.ucore.com

Thursday, February 7, 2013