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Rare Element Resources Expands on Advantages of Its Patent-Pending, Zero-Discharge SX Separation Technology in Pilot Plant Testing

by User Not Found | Dec 16, 2015
Rare Element Resources expands on the advantages of its patent-pending separation technology.

Cerium and Lanthanum Separated into Individual Products, Resulting in Significantly Reduced Mass Going to Advanced Separation

Bench-Scale Optimization Removed Nearly All Cerium and Produced a High-Purity Light Rare Earth Basket

 

December 16, 2015 – Lakewood, Colorado – Rare Element Resources Ltd. (NYSE MKT: REE and TSX: RES), a publicly traded, strategic materials company focused on delivering rare earth products for technology and defense applications by advancing the Bear Lodge Critical Rare Earth Project located in northeast Wyoming, announces additional results from its successful pilot-plant campaign of its patent-pending, zero-discharge solvent extraction (SX) separation technology, as well as the results of subsequent bench-scale optimization test work.  The results of this most recent test work include:

  • Pilot plant testing of a lanthanum recovery circuit that resulted in a 99%-pure lanthanum oxide product, samples of which were promptly supplied to an interested party for evaluation; and
  • Optimization, at bench-scale, of the recovery process that not only increased cerium removal to 99% using one mixer/settler but also separated the remaining rare earths into light rare earth (LRE) and heavy rare earth (HRE) baskets using only two mixer/settlers.  The resulting LRE stream was 99.7% pure and consisted predominantly of lanthanum and didymium (neodymium and praseodymium). It is expected that using the LRE stream as feed for the lanthanum recovery module will produce both pure lanthanum and pure didymium products.  

Each SX module used conventional extraction mixer/settlers and commercially available stripper reagents, extractants and diluents but did not require acid-stripping mixer/settlers or the use of strong acids to recover separated rare earths. The process generated no waste effluent and eliminated the need for neutralization, important accomplishments that are expected to improve the cost-effectiveness of the process. The SX pilot plant successfully recycled both the stripped organic liquor and raffinate without generating any waste products, making it environmentally sound.  

“The data generated by testing confirmed and expanded our success at utilizing our proprietary separation technology to increase the purity of our concentrate while recovering commercially valuable separated rare earth products that were then supplied to an interested potential offtake partner,” said Randall J. Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer.  “In bench-scale test work, we effectively optimized the cerium removal to 99% and also separated out the remaining light rare earths to make the recovery of both pure lanthanum and pure didymium products possible.  While additional pilot testing is expected to optimize the process, METSIM® modeling, a steady-state and dynamic process simulator, indicates that 99% of the lanthanum could be recovered, thus reducing the mass of rare earth solutions going to advanced separation by more than 65%.”  

The Company has initiated discussions regarding application of its innovative separation technology to remove thorium from various mineral deposits and the use of its innovative stripping technology in certain commercial SX plants.  

Advantages of Patent-Pending, Zero-Discharge SX Separation Technology  

Pilot plant data indicates the following economic advantages of the new SX separation technology with regard to both capital and operating costs:  

  • Process improves upon conventional SX technology that is already used in numerous, commercial-scale operations;
  • The number of mixer/settlers necessary for cerium and thorium removal is significantly less than traditional SX;
  • The reduced mass going to advanced separation due to the early recovery of cerium and lanthanum is expected to improve the Project economics associated with recovering the more valuable rare earths;
  • The efficiency of the stripping process represents a significant improvement over traditional SX, including the complete elimination of any acid-stripping mixer/settlers;
  • Using commercially available reagents and no strong acids for stripping eliminates the need for a neutralization plant; and
  • The ability to recycle the barren organic and stripping agent is expected to reduce raw material costs.  

SGS-Lakefield, Canada executed the SX pilot and bench-scale test work under the direction of Dr. Henry Kasaini, Rare Element Resources’ Director of Science and Technology.  The SX pilot plant was run at a throughput of 8kg/day using the 98%-pure, total rare earth oxide concentrate generated from previous recovery testing. The Company adopted a modular approach to design, construct and operate the SX plant to focus on the early removal of cerium, thorium and lanthanum to reduce the capacity necessary for advanced separation.  Final assays provided by SGS to the Company were consistent with the preliminary results reported in the October 14, 2015 press release entitled, “Rare Element Resources Successfully Completes First Phase of Pilot Plant Testing of Patent-Pending, Zero-Discharge SX Separation Technology” available on the Company’s website at www.rareelementresources.com.  

Rare Element Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded, strategic materials company focused on delivering rare earth products for technology and defense applications by advancing the Bear Lodge Critical Rare Earth Project in northeast Wyoming.  Bear Lodge is a significant mineralized district containing many of the less common, more valuable, critical rare earths that are essential for electronics, fiber optics, laser systems for health and defense, as well as many evolving green technologies, like hybrid cars, solar panels and wind turbines. Permitting and feasibility work on the Project continues to advance.  The Company is an affiliate member of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Critical Materials Institute, a combined government and private sector organization committed to eliminating supply chain issues for rare earths and other critical elements.

Please contact Robbin Lee at 720-278-2462, or rlee@rareelementresources.com, for additional information.

Jaye T. Pickarts, P.E. and Chief Operating Officer of Rare Element Resources, is a qualified person under Canadian NI 43-101 and supervised the preparation of the technical information in this press release.

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities legislation in the United States and Canada. Except for statements of historical fact, certain information contained herein constitutes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are usually identified by our use of certain terminology, including "will", "believes", "may", "expects", "should", "seeks", "anticipates", "plans", "has potential to", or "intends" or by discussions of strategy or intentions. Such forward-looking statements include statements regarding current and expected future results of pilot plant test work and its economics, the potential for conducting further test work, timing of such test work and the results, if conducted, anticipated timing and outcome of our federal, state and local permitting efforts, and overall progress of the Bear Lodge Project.  Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results or achievements to be materially different from any future results or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the progress of our Bear Lodge Project, fluctuations in demand for, and price of, rare earth products; timing of and unexpected events at the Bear Lodge property; delay or failure to receive government approvals and permits; changes in U.S. and Canadian securities markets; our ability to obtain financing and general economic conditions. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those anticipated by management. Please refer to the discussion of these and other risk factors as set out in our filings made from time-to-time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulators, including without limitation, the Company’s most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q. We do not undertake to update any statements or estimates at any particular time or in response to any particular event, other than in accordance with applicable law.  Investors and other should not assume that any forecasts in this news release represent management’s estimates as of any date other than the date of this news release.

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Rare Element Resources
Fact Sheet

Rare Element Resources
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Open House – October 09, 2023

State and community leaders joined Senator Barrasso, Neal Blue and Brent Berg with the ceremonial groundbreaking shovel

Ceremonial groundbreaking with Senator Barrasso, state and community leaders, Neal Blue (GA) and Brent Berg (RER) 

The Company and General Atomics (GA), supported by state and community leaders, celebrated a ceremonial groundbreaking for their rare earth demonstration plant.

The presentation at the Open House made by Mr. Berg can be found here.

For a summary of the event, please click here.

Please click here to see a video replay from the Newcastle News Letter Journal of the event.

CEO Corner

Commentary from Kelli Kast,
Interim President, CEO and Director

Continuing Our Progress

As I step into the role of Interim President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) for the coming weeks, I do so with confidence that we will seamlessly continue on the path the Board has set for us of progressing construction of the demonstration plant toward operations this summer, and in continuing to build awareness of the Company, the Bear Lodge Project, and the importance of establishing a secure domestic rare earth supply chain.

Please click here to read full content

Please click here to see appointed President and CEO Ken Mushinski's bio

Demo Plant Construction Update (2/20/24)

Utility Upgrades

Utilities Being Upgraded

Services to the site are being upgraded, including power, water and sewer, to support future plant operations.  Mild weather has allowed us to progress this and other outdoor work.

World-Class Technology Partner

General Atomics Fact Sheet
In 2017, an affiliate of General Atomics, one of the largest, most advanced technology companies in the world, took an equity position in Rare Element Resources.  Since that time, they have brought the full force of their technology development team enhance the Company's recovery/separation technology.
To learn more about General Atomics Click Here

Bear Lodge Panoramic
Sample Drilling
Core Samples

The Bear Lodge Project area is a significant mineralized district that contains one of the largest disseminated rare earth deposits in North America. This deposit contains many of the less common, more valuable rare earths that are essential for the magnet materials used in electronics, fiber optics, laser systems for health and defense, and many evolving green technologies, such as hybrid cars, solar panels and wind turbines. Rare Element Resources owns 100% of the Project. 

During the last few years, the Company, along General Atomics, whose affiliate is RER's majority shareholder, have been advancing their proprietary extraction/separation technology and have successfully produced commercial-grade neodymium/praseodymium (Nd/Pr) oxide in pilot-plant testing.  These materials are key components to the fast-growing, permanent magnet sector. The next step will be operations of a demonstration plant, which is currently under construction in Upton, WY.  Results generated from operating this plant will be used for the design and economic evaluation of a commercial rare earth processing facility. 

Project Highlights

  • Proprietary Rare Earth Extraction/Separation Technology – Successfully advanced the Company’s technology and produced neodymium/praseodymium (Nd/Pr) oxide in pilot-plant testing. Construction of a demonstration plant is currently underway to prove the scalability of the process and define the requirements for a commercial plant.
  • World-Class Technology Partner and Majority Shareholder – General Atomics, through its affiliate, is the majority shareholder in Rare Element Resources, is a technology leader with a proven track record of bringing new ideas to market.  Their understanding of the strategic role rare earths play in numerous advancing technologies makes them keenly aware of the need for a secure, domestic supply of rare earths. Their relationship within the U.S. Government have been essential to our ability to advance our technology.
  • Bear Lodge Project – Well-defined resource with excellent concentrations of the rare earth elements essential to high-strength, permanent magnets and the many industries that depend on them.  Two of those industries, electric vehicles and wind turbines, are expected to drive a doubling of demand for magnet materials in the next 10 years.
  • Strategic Location – Located in northeast Wyoming, the Bear Lodge Project has easy access to a major interstate, transcontinental rail, natural gas and low-power.  The area has existing infrastructure with a ready and skilled workforce.  The State of Wyoming has a rich history of mineral development and a pro-business focus, and its leaders are actively committed to economic diversification. 
  • Strong Federal and State Support – Both the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Wyoming Energy Authority (WEA) have shown their support for the Project through funding of over $26M for the demonstration plant.  The DOE continues to pursue ways to secure sources for material that will be key to industrial needs, especially those that support the country’s initiative of reducing carbon emissions, like electric vehicles and wind turbines. The WEA is supporting the State’s desire to diversify employment and understands that Wyoming can play a key role in developing a domestic supply chain – from minerals to magnets. 
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