Commerce Resources Corp. Produces Additional >98% CaF2 Samples from the Ashram Deposit, Quebec
Commerce Resources Corp. Produces Additional >98% CaF2 Samples
from the Ashram Deposit, Quebec
November 30, 2020 – Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE, FSE: D7H0) (the “Company”
or “Commerce”) is pleased to announce that it has produced additional samp les of acid -grade
fluorspar concentrate from the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit, Quebec. The test work
on fluorspar recovery is being carried out by Hazen Research, CO, USA, which is also developing
the primary rare earth element (REE) recovery flowsheet.
Previous test work has demonstrated the ability to achieve fluorspar grades as high as 98% CaF2,
as well as standard specifications for SiO2, Al2O3, Cl, Be, Cd, Pb, As, and Hg (see news releases
dated February 28th and September 24th, 2020). The Company is pleased to report that the recent
bench test work has produced additional acid-grade samples >98% CaF2. The results demonstrate
that acid-grade fluorspar can be produced from Ashram Deposit material, where the starting head-
grade is ~7.5% CaF2.
The specifications and impurity tolerances in the acid-spar industry may vary widely depending
on the final application; however, a key requirement to obtain is the CaF2 purity – typically >97%.
Based on the bench level test work completed to date, the Company is confident that it can attain
this base level purity of ~97% CaF 2, as well as other key specifications , that will allow for a
marketable product to a variety of end-users and associated applications.
There are currently two flowsheet approaches being advanced to produce acid-grade fluorspar
from the Ashram Deposit , with the results herein produced using a front -end
flotation/leach/magnetic process. An alternative approach is also being developed which uses the
tailings stream from the primary REE concentrate, where the fluorspar passively upgrade s
throughout the REE processing circuit. In both cases, the recovery of fluorspar from the Ashram
Deposit has been approached as a secondary objective to the primary REE recovery. Further,
depending on the approach for fluorspar recovery, impurity removal may also increase overall
REE recovery in the flowsheet.
In addition to being one of the largest rare earth deposits globally, the Ashram Deposit is also one
of the largest fluorspar deposits globally. The production of REEs and fluorspar are currently
dominated by China, placing Ashram in a unique position t o potentially address the supply
concerns of these two critical commodities. Both REEs and fluorspar are considered critical /
strategic commodities by the US Department of the Interior, the European Union, and the Province
of Quebec, Canada.
Fluorspar Market
Fluorspar (CaF2) is an essential raw material to the steel, aluminum, and chemical industries in
two marketable products; acid spar grade and met spar grade.
Acid-spar (>97% CaF2), accounting for roughly sixty percent of the market, is primarily used to
synthesise hydrofluoric acid (HF) and subsequent fluorochemicals, and in the production of
aluminum metal, to reduce process temperatures and energy consumption. It is also a key r aw
ingredient of materials used in enhancing the operational performance of lithium-ion batteries.
Met-spar (>60% CaF 2), accounting for roughly forty percent of the global fluorspar market, is
primarily used as a flux in the steel making process to lower t he melting temperature, to reduce
slag viscosity, and remove impurities.
Similar to the prevailing dynamics for rare earth elements, China was historically the largest
exporter of fluorspar. However, in the last 3 years, China has become a net importer. T his has
caused significant price appreciation for fluorspar, and market interest from industry in new
sources.
NI 43-101 Disclosure
Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a Permit holder with the
Ordre des Géologues du Québec and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101,
supervised the preparation of the technical information 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 -Niobium
Deposit in British Columbia.
For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or
email [email protected].
On Behalf of the Board of Directors
COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.
“Chris Grove”
Chris Grove
President and Director
Tel: 604.484.2700
Email: [email protected]
Web: http://www.commerceresources.com
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in 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 whic h 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 that the Company can attain this base level purity of ~97%
CaF2, as well as other key specifications, that will allow for a marketable product ; that impurity removal may also
increase overall REE recovery; and that Ashram is in a unique position to potentially address the supply concerns of
REE and Fluorspar, two critical commodities. 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 drilling 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; testing of our process may not prove successful and even
it tests are successful, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; 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.