- Less Common Metals ("LCM") vertically integrates upstream
production capabilities with electrolytic cell process
- LCM also completed the installation of the second strip
casting furnace and is producing qualified alloys for customer
orders
SASKATOON, July 11, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - Great Western
Minerals Group Ltd. ("GWMG" or the "Company") (TSX.V: GWG / OTCQX:
GWMGF), a leader in the manufacture and supply of rare earth-based
metal alloys and high purity metals with a low cost, high-grade
critical rare earth asset (the "Steenkampskraal Project" or "SKK"),
today announced that its subsidiary, Less Common Metals Limited,
has successfully produced neodymium metal from oxide using an
electrolytic reduction process. LCM ran the new electrolytic cell
in full production mode meeting all environmental, health and
safety compliance standards.
"This very successful production run follows our extensive
engineering design and technical studies," stated Ian Higgins, Managing Director of LCM.
"Importantly, this is one of only a few examples of electrolytic
metal production outside of China. This capability enables us to
expand discussions with raw material and consumable suppliers."
LCM has invested in electrolytic cells during the past year to
increase its metal production capabilities in addition to its metal
alloy production capabilities. This was LCM's first production
level operating trial using an electrolytic reduction process and
it met expectations. As part of an ongoing integrated expansion
process, a second electrolytic cell is already installed and
provides the platform for increased
capacity.
LCM has focused on ensuring that processes fully comply with the
highest possible levels of environmental, health and safety
standards. In support of this commitment, LCM has engaged key
academic institutions in Europe to
further optimize its processes.
Photographs of the neodymium metal production are located on the
Company's website at www.gwmg.caLCMphotos.
LCM Commences Operation of Second Strip Casting
Furnace
A second strip casting furnace that was delivered in the first
quarter of 2013 was recently installed and is now producing alloy
for customer orders. The new furnace increased production
capacity by 700 tonnes to a total of 2,500 tonnes of metal alloy
per year.
About GWMG
Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. is a leader in the manufacture
and supply of rare earth-based alloys and high purity metals with a
low cost, high-grade critical rare earth asset. Its specialty
alloys are used in the battery, magnet and aerospace
industries. Produced at the Company's wholly-owned
subsidiaries, Less Common Metals Limited in Ellesmere Port, U.K.
and Great Western Technologies Inc. in Troy, Michigan, these alloys contain
transition metals, including nickel, cobalt, iron and other rare
earth elements. As part of the Company's vertical integration
strategy, GWMG also holds 100% equity ownership in Rare Earth
Extraction Co. Limited, which controls the Steenkampskraal monazite
mine. In addition to the project at Steenkampskraal, GWMG
also holds interests in four rare earth exploration and development
properties in North America.
The company routinely posts news and other information on its
website at www.gwmg.ca.
Neither the 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.
Cautionary Statement
Certain information set out in this News Release constitutes
forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements
(often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as
"expect", "may", "could", "anticipate" or "will" and similar
expressions) may describe expectations, opinions or guidance that
are not statements of fact and which may be based upon information
provided by third parties. Forward-looking statements are based
upon the opinions, expectations and estimates of management of GWMG
as at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety
of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that
could cause actual events or outcomes to differ materially from
those anticipated or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Those factors include, but are not limited to the assumptions and
estimates in the preliminary economic assessment of the
Steenkampskraal project proving to be accurate over time; the
construction, commissioning and operation of the proposed monazite
processing facility and separation facility within estimated
parameters; mine refurbishment activities; reliance on third
parties to meet projected timelines and commencement of production
at Steenkampskraal; risks related to the receipt of all required
approvals including those relating to the commencement of
production at the Steenkampskraal mine, delays in obtaining
permits, licenses and operating authorities in Canada, South
Africa and China,
environmental matters, water and land use risks; risks associated
with the industry in general, commodity prices and exchange rate
changes, operational risks associated with exploration, development
and production operations, delays or changes in plans, including
those estimated in the preliminary economic assessment of the
Steenkampskraal project; risks associated with the uncertainty of
resource estimates; health and safety risks; uncertainty of
estimates and projections of production, costs and expenses; risks
that future Steenkampskraal and region exploration results may not
meet exploration or corporate objectives; the adequacy of the
Company's financial resources and the availability of additional
cash from operations or from financing on reasonable terms or at
all; political risks inherent in South
Africa and China; risks
associated with the relationship between GWMG and/or its
subsidiaries and communities and governments in Canada and South
Africa, radioactivity and related issues, dependence on one
mineral project; loss of, and the inability to attract, key
personnel; the factors discussed in the Company's public disclosure
record; and other factors that could cause actions, events or
results not to be as anticipated. In light of the risks and
uncertainties associated with forward-looking statements, readers
are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon forward-looking
information. Although GWMG believes that the expectations reflected
in the forward-looking statements set out in this press release or
incorporated herein by reference are reasonable, it can give no
assurance that such expectations will prove to have been correct.
Except as required by law, GWMG does not assume any obligation to
update forward looking statements as set out in this news release.
The forward-looking statements of GWMG contained in this News
Release, or incorporated herein by reference, are expressly
qualified, in their entirety, by this cautionary statement and the
risk factors contained in GWMG's Annual Information Form available
at www.sedar.com.
SOURCE Great Western Minerals Group Ltd.