Aclara Successfully Completes Semi-Industrial Scale Piloting FOR the Penco Module
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ACLARA SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES SEMI-INDUSTRIAL SCALE PILOTING FOR THE PENCO MODULE
TORONTO, ON , September 6, 202 3 – Aclara Resources Inc. (“Aclara” or the “Company”) (TSX: ARA) is
pleased to announce that it has successfully completed the piloting operation for the Penco Module project.
The Company processed a total of 120 tonnes of ionic clays and produced approximately 107 kilograms of
wet high purity Heavy Rare Earth Elements (“HREE”) concentrate. The technical results will be published
during the fourth quarter (“Q4”) of 2023.
Ramón Barúa (Aclara’s Chief Executive Officer) commented:
“The continuous operation of the pilot plant has been a great success for the Company. Not only has it enabled
us to attain technical validation for our groundbreaking Circular Mineral Harvesting process within the Penco
Module, but it has also emerged as our primary means of showcasing the exceptional sustainability aspects of
our project to our local community, authorities, investors, and other stakeholders that are part of our story. The
piloting operation has also been a pivotal element of our commercial strategy, resulting in the production of
representative product samples that we are currently dispatching to more t han ten separation companies
across the United States, Europe, and Asia.”
Pilot Plant Operation
The pilot plant successfully adhered to the design parameters for an uninterrupted three-month period from
June to August 2023.
• Operation throughput reached 90 kg per hour and operated continuously 24 hours per day
• A total of 120 tonnes were processed during the 3-month period. 80 tonnes of ionic clays were
extracted from the Victoria Sur orebody and 40 tonnes from Victoria Norte
• A total of 107 kilograms of high-purity HREE concentrate was produced
• High-purity HREE concentrate samples are currently being dispatched to more than ten separation
firms located across the United States, Europe, and Asia. This initiative aims to validate product
specifications and assess its suitability for their respective separation technologies.
Throughout the operation, we had the privilege of hosting over two hundred visitors, with more than half of
them being community leaders, and the remainder comprising investors, authorities, academic institutions,
private enterp rises, media representatives, and business associations. The pilot operation served as an
illuminating showcase of the primary sustainability aspects inherent in our Circular Mineral Harvesting
process.
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Figure 1 – Circular Mineral Harvesting Sustainability Attributes
Figure 2 – Extraction of the Ionic Clays
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Figure 3 – Pilot Plant Operation
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Figure 4 – High-purity HREE Concentrate
For additional testimonies about the pilot plant operation please visit the links below:
• Visitors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8RRuQo0_Ig
• Directors: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogja9FDP1AQ
About Aclara
Aclara Resources Inc. (TSX: ARA) is a development-stage company that focuses on heavy rare earth mineral
resources. Its primary project is located in the BioBio Region of sout hern Chile. The company is dedicated
to developing its mineral resources through a project known as the Penco Module. This module
encompasses an area of approximately 60 0 hectares and contains ionic clays that are rich in heavy rare
earth elements.
Currently, Aclara Resources is primarily focused on the development, construction, and future operation of
the Penco Module. The goal is to establish a processing p lant that will produce a heavy rare earth
concentrate. This concentrate will be generated by processing clays obtained from nearby deposits.
Aclara's extraction process offers several environmentally attractive features. It does not involve blasting,
crushing, or milling. Additionally, it does not generate tailings, eliminating th e need for a tailings storage
facility. The company utilizes 100% recycled water and minimizes water consumption through high levels of
water recirculation. The ionic clay feedstock is amenable to leaching with a fertilizer, and harmful
radionuclides are not produced.
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Simultaneously, alongside the development of the Penco Module, the company intends to identify further
opportunities for increasing rare earth element production. This will involve intensive greenfield exploration
programs and the development of additional project "modules" within the company's concessions .
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward -looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities
legislation, which reflects the Company’s current expectations regarding future events, including statements with
regard to: the expectations of the Company’s management as to the operation of the pilot plant and expected success
resulting therefrom. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to a
number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control. Such risks and
uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s annual
information form dated as of March 28, 2023 filed on the Company’s SEDAR profile. Actual results, timing,
performance, achievements or future events or developments could differ materially from those expressed or
implied herein. Unless otherwise noted or the context otherwise indicates, the forward -looking information
contained in this news release is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company does not
undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws.
For further information, please contact:
Ramon Barua
Chief Executive Officer