Commerce Resources Corp. Initiates 2nd Phase of Pilot Plant for the Ashram Rare Earth Deposit

VANCOUVER, July 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE, FSE: D7H, OTCQX: CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to report that the 2^nd phase of the mini-pilot plant⁽¹⁾, to leach bulk flotation concentrate which was produced during the first phase of the pilot plant, is now underway on material from the Company's 100% owned Ashram Rare Earth Deposit. 

This leach pilot is part of a larger program to confirm the scalability of the total flowsheet and produce several kilograms of mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate (REC), and mixed RE chloride concentrate (RECl). 

The objective of the continuous circuit is to demonstrate the leach process on a continuous and scaled up basis to evaluate material handling and performance in a manner similar to a commercial operation. Samples will also be collected as part of a larger geochemical characterization program for filtration and tailings management evaluation.

Commerce Resources President Chris Grove states, "The commencement of the leach pilot plant is an important step to validate and simplify the commercial viability of the flowsheet."

The leach pilot plant, using dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl), is being conducted at Hazen Research Inc., Colorado and will operate on both a continuous and batch basis.

A large scale batch piloting is anticipated to follow the continuous mini pilot operation. The objective of this additional scale up, is to produce larger quantities of leach residue at the defined parameters. Two different flotation concentrate feeds will be processed during the batch pilot in order to further assess feed variability (i.e. robustness of the process) and ensure enough residue is produced for downstream processing.

Leach testwork completed prior to the piloting has simplified the process. The main neutralization step now requires only a minor pH adjustment. This allows for improved overall process control as well as reduced reagent requirements (e.g. lime).

The leach residue produced will feed a subsequent Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation (WHIMS) pilot plant which will produce bulk quantities of high-grade mineral concentrate for downstream processing. 

The WHIMS development work is being carried out in parallel to the leach pilot using leach residues produced on the bench scale. This development testwork has produced a mineral concentrate with a grade of 39% TREO at a stage recovery of 85%. In addition, a diagnostic test (i.e. recovery was not targeted) produced a mineral concentrate grade of 54% TREO at a stage recovery of 46%.

The WHIMS development testwork is continuing and will include scavenging (improved recovery) and cleaning (improved grade). Further, the fluorite concentrate produced (WHIMS tails) will be evaluated for its by-product potential.

NI 43-101 Disclosure
Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geol., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, supervised the preparation of the technical information in this news release.  

Eric Larochelle, Eng., and Alain Dorval, Eng., Manager-Process, Mining and Mineral Processing, of Roche Ltd., Consulting Group, Qualified Persons as defined by National Instrument 43-101, reviewed the technical information presented in this news release.

About Commerce Resources Corp.
Commerce Resources Corp. is an exploration and development company with a particular focus on deposits of rare metals and rare earth elements.  The Company is focused on the development of its Ashram Rare Earth Element Deposit in Quebec and the Upper Fir Tantalum and Niobium Deposit in British Columbia.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

"Chris Grove"
Chris Grove
President
Tel:  604.484.2700

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.

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking information which is subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements.  Forward looking statements in this press release include and are not limited to, the testing will confirm scalability of the total flowsheet and will produce several kilograms of mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate; the continuous circuit will demonstrate the leach process on a continuous basis; the additional scale up will produce larger quantities of leach residue; the testwork will produce increased recovery and improved grade.  These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information.  Risks that could change or prevent these statements from coming to fruition include changing costs for mining and processing; increased capital costs; the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations based on current data that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumption based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that with further test work may not be comparable; the availability of labour, equipment and markets for the products produced; and despite the current expected viability of the project, conditions changing such that the minerals on our property cannot be economically mined, or that the required permits to build and operate the envisaged mine can be obtained. The forward-looking information contained herein is given as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE Commerce Resources Corp.