Ucore Confirms Effectiveness of XRT Ore Sorting at Production Scale
HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 03/06/12 -- Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSX VENTURE: UCU)(OTCQX: UURAF) ('Ucore' or 'the Company') is pleased to announce the completion of bulk scale ore sorting beneficiation studies on samples from the Bokan Mountain deposit on Prince of Wales Island in Alaska, USA.
Three one tonne samples from alternative locations within the deposit were sent to Commodas Ultrasort of Wedel, Germany and processed by a full-scale production dual energy x-ray transmission sorter. Results show that 46% of the feed could be rejected as waste with 93% recovery of rare earth oxides. This indicates the potential to have a significant positive effect on the capital and operating costs of the project. Further tests are underway to see if these results can be further refined.
'The confirmation that the XRT ore sorting technology can be effective on a production scale machine is a tremendous development for the Company,' noted Jim McKenzie, President & CEO of Ucore. 'The XRT technology shows the clear potential to dramatically reduce the amount of material feeding into a mill at Bokan and is an excellent first step in the metallurgical flowsheet which is currently being refined for inclusion in our upcoming PEA.'
Similar sorting results were achieved in initial scoping studies on selected samples of core. Based on the evaluation of the results of the scoping studies, Ucore authorized continued studies with a large sized sample, on commercial scale equipment. Three one-tonne bulk samples were collected from trenches across the deposit by Ucore geologists, originating at three different locations. The three samples were individually crushed and screened into fractions suitable for sorter testing, bagged individually and packaged for shipment. The samples were shipped to Commodas Ultrasort, in Wedel, Germany.
The screened samples were then processed by Commodas on a full-scale dual energy x-ray transmission (DEXRT) sorting unit. Separation studies were conducted by Commodas technicians and observed by Mr. Edwin H. Bentzen III of Lyntek Inc. A mineralized product and a barren waste were generated from each sample and each screen fraction. All the products from the sorting studies were individually bagged and sent to Hazen Research, Inc. in Golden, Colorado, USA. At Hazen each of the products from the sorter studies were weighed, crushed and a representative portion of each was pulverized for chemical analyses. The chemical analyses of each sample were conducted by Activation Labs (ActLabs) in Ancaster, Ontario, Canada.
The plus 1/4-inch screen fractions of sample from an area of the deposit, designated 'Zone 28', with a calculated TREE+Y rare earth elemental content of 0.873%, were treated on the commercial scale sorter at feed rates up to 40-TPH. The mineralized products collected from the sorter operations, combined with the 1/4-inch screen undersize (not sorted) product recovered 94.4% of the TREE+Y in the sample while rejecting 44.4% of the sample weight. The sorted mineralized fractions are currently being subjected to further physical beneficiation by magnetic separation. Final physical beneficiated mineralized concentrates will then be subjected to acid leaching and separation of the TREE+Y values.
Mr. Edwin H. Bentzen III, Senior Project Manager of Lyntek Inc., Lakewood, Colorado, has prepared the technical data relative to this press release and is the qualified person responsible for its 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 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.
Contacts:
Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
Mr. Jim McKenzie
President and Chief Executive Officer
(902) 482-5214
www.ucore.com
