VANCOUVER, July 20, 2015
/CNW/ - Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE, FSE: D7H,
OTCQX: CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to report
that the 2nd 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.
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(1)
|
Approximately 1-2
tonnes of flotation concentrate will be processed during the HCl
leach pilot plant. This size throughput tonnage is sometimes
referred to as a 'mini-pilot plant' as opposed to a 'pilot
plant'.
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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.