Mkango Announces R&D Programme with Metalysis to Develop 3D Printed Rare Earth Magnets FOR Electric Vehicles
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MKANGO RESOURCES LTD.
706 27 Avenue NW,
Calgary, Alberta T2M 2J3
MKANGO ANNOUNCES R&D PROGRAMME WITH METALYSIS TO DEVELOP 3D PRINTED RARE EARTH
MAGNETS FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES
Calgary, Alberta: March 20, 2017 - Mkango Resources Ltd. (TSXV / AIM: MKA) (the "Company" or "Mkango") is
pleased to announce that it has entered into a Memorandum Of Understanding (“MOU”) with Metalysis
Limited (“Metalysis”) to jointly research, develop and commercialise novel rare eart h metal alloys for use in
three-dimensional (3D) printed permanent magnets.
The MOU will combine Mkango’s intelligence surrounding the performance characteristics and future global
demand outlook for rare earth magnets with Metalysis’ disruptive, solid-state process, which can generate high
margins from the manufacture of metal powders for markets including 3D printing . Together, the parties
envisage a comprehensive research and development (“R&D”) programme, culminating in the joint pursuit of
commercial opportunities. One such opportunity includes evaluating the United Kingdom as a future host
country for a manufacturing plant to exploit a commercialised technology.
Rare earth permanent magnets are a critical component of many electric vehicles , as well as other consumer
and green technologies. China dominates the rare earth permanent magnet industry, and with one of the few
rare earths projects outside China to have advanced beyond the pre -feasibility stage, Mkango is well-placed to
respond to the global demand outlook.
Mkango’s share of the first phase of R&D costs will be funded out of existing cash resources.
William Dawes, Chief Executive Officer of Mkango, said:
"We are very pleased to collaborate with Metalysis. It is a core part of Mkango’s strategy to be at the
forefront of research and technology in every step of the rare earths supply chai n; positioning the Company
as a future low cost, sustainable supplier of rare earths used in electric vehicles and other green technologies,
which have entered a new phase of accelerating demand growth. The R&D programme will seek to enhance
marketing flexibility, increase future margins and affirm the Company’s competitive positioning.”
About Metalysis Limited
Metalysis is a growing company , based in South Yorkshire, U.K, with global rights to disruptive technology
posing proven economic and environmental benefits over traditional metal production methods. The Company
is committed to transforming the metals industry through its patented proces s for producing Titanium,
Tantalum, other metals and innovative alloy powders.
Metalysis’ process, originating from the University of Cambridge and proven at industrial scale, can generate
high margins from the manufacture of metal powders for markets including 3D printing.
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About Mkango Resources Limited
Mkango's primary business is the exploration for rare earth elements and associated minerals in the
Republic of Malawi, a country whose hospitable people have earned it a reputation as “the warm heart of
Africa.” Mkango holds, through its wholly owned subsidiary Lancaster Exploration Limited, a 100% interest in
two exclusive prospecting licenses in southern Malawi, the Phalombe licence and the Thambani licence.
The main exploration target in the Phalombe licence is the Songwe Hill rare earth s’ deposit, which features
carbonatite hosted rare earth mineralisation and was subject to previous exploration in the late 1980s .
Mkango completed an updated Pre -feasibility Study for the project in November 2 015. Mkango’s strategy for
Songwe is to further optimise the project with a view to maximising efficiency and reducing costs , thereby
providing a strong platform for entering into partnerships, marketing and offtake arrangements . The main
exploration targets in the Thambani licence are uranium, niobium, tantalum and other associated minerals.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance
on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon
which they are based will occur. By their nature, forward -looking statements involve numerous assumptions,
known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that
the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward -looking statements will not occur, which may cause
actual performance and results in future periods to differ materially from any estimates or projections of future
performance or results expressed or implied by such forward -looking statements. Such factors and risks
include, without limiting the foregoing, delays in obtaining financing or governmental or stoc k exchange
approvals. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press
release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update
or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise,
except as required by applicable law. Additionally, the Company undertakes no obligation to comment on the
expectations of, or statements made by, third parties in respect of the matters discussed above.
For further information on Mkango, please contact:
Mkango Resources Limited
William Dawes Alexander Lemon
Chief Executive Officer President
[email protected] [email protected]
UK: +44 207 3722 744
Canada: +1 403 444 5979
www.mkango.ca
@MkangoResources
Blytheweigh
Financial Public Relations
Tim Blythe, Camilla Horsfall, Nick Elwes
UK: +44 207 138 3204
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Nominated Adviser and Broker
Jeff Keating , Caroline Rowe
UK: +44 20 3470 0470
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The TSX Venture Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release. 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.
This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any equity or other
securities of the Company in the United States. The securities of the Company will not be registered under the
United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) and may not be offered or sold
within the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in certain transactions exempt
from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act.