Commerce Resources Produces Additional Mixed REC Sample with 22.4% NdPr from the Ashram Deposit, Quebec
Commerce Resources Produces Additional Mixed REC Sample with
22.4% NdPr from the Ashram Deposit, Quebec
May 12, 2022 – Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXv: CCE, FSE: D7H0, OTCQX: CMRZF )
(the “Company” or “Commerce”) is pleased to announce that it has produced additional amounts
of mixed rare earth carbonate (“mixed REC”) that meets typical rare earth element (“REE”)
market specifications, as part of its planned scale-up to larger kilogram quantities.
The sample (55 g ) follows the initial quantities of mixed REC sample produced by the
Company, announced March 23rd, 2022. The Company is pleased to report the new sample has a
neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) distribution – i.e. % of Nd +Pr oxide of the total rare
earth oxide (“REO”) – of 22.4%, which is significantly higher than the distribution reported by
several major global producers , and that of the previous sample produced ( 21.6% NdPr).
Additionally, t he mixed REC sample, with a formula of REE2(CO3)3(H2O)8 as determined by
XRD, contains 50.9% REO, <0.5 ppm Th, and <0.1 ppm U.
The Company is currently preparing a portion of this 55 g mixed REC sample to deliver to a
third-party processor per their request. Additionally, continued scale-up to kilogram quantities of
mixed REC is proceeding and anticipated to be completed in the coming weeks , where an
approximate 1 kg sample will be delivered to another third-party processor per their request.
The mixed REC sample (Figure 1) was produced from the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar
Deposit using the conventional recovery flowsheet developed at Hazen Research , Inc. in
Colorado, USA, which results in high grade monazite concentrate exceeding 40% REO. The
monazite concentrate was processed through a sulphuric acid pot digestion (Figure 2), to ‘crack’
the monazite , which was then followed by a water leach to liberate the in dividual REEs into
solution at high recovery (see news release dated September 9 th, 2021). The thorium was then
selectively removed using solvent extraction (Figure 3) and the REEs subsequently isolated, also
using solvent extraction , and precipitated as a mixed REC concentrate, meeting typical market
specifications (Figure 1).
In the rare earth industry, a mixed REC concentrate is typically viewed as the initial marketable
product in the REE value chain. A mixed REC is readily saleable a s it is the most common
feedstock to REE solvent extraction facilities globally, which separate the individual REEs and
allow for them to be individually refined into marketable products and disseminated throughout
downstream value chains.
Figure 1: Sample of marketable mixed rare earth carbonate (55 g), at an NdPr distribution of
22.4%, produced from the Ashram Deposit
Figure 2: Sulphuric acid pot digestion of Ashram high-grade (>40% REO) monazite concentrate
Figure 3: Settled phases from the thorium solvent extraction strip stage
About the Ashram Deposit
The Ashram Deposit ranks as one of the largest REE (and fluorspar) deposits globally, consisting
of a monazite dominated, single mineralized body outcropping at surface, and has a footprint
approximately 600 m along strike, over 300 m across, and 600 m deep, remaining open in
several directions. The deposit hosts a measured resource of 1.6 million tonnes (Mt) at 1.77%
rare earth oxide (REO) and 3.8% F, an indicated resource of 27.7 Mt at 1.90% REO and 2.9% F,
and an inferred resource of 219.8 Mt at 1.88% REO and 2.2% F, at a cut -off grade of 1.25%
REO (Effective Date July 5 th, 2012). Note, mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do
not hav e demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the
Mineral Resources will be converted into Mineral Reserves.
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 in National Instrument 43 -
101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects , supervised the preparation of the technical
information in this news release.
About Commerce Resources Corp.
Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of
the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is
positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on
being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market.
The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and
gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonn age resource at favourable grade, and has
demonstrated the production of high -grade (>45% REO) mineral concentrates at high recovery
(>70%) in line with active global producers. In addition to being one of the largest rare earth
deposits globally, Ashram i s also one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally and has the
potential to be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.
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: https://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 statements, which includes any information about activities, events or
developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking
statements in this news releas e include that we expect to scale up and produce additional mixed REC ; that mixed
REC is readily saleable; that Ashram has the potential to become one of the largest fluorspar deposit and a long -term
supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare
earth element producers globally. 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 pro jected in
the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from
coming to fruition include: that we may not be abl e to economically produce mixed REC, if at all ; that we may not
be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if we are able raise capital, costs
for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or
processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; potential process methods and mineral
recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are conside red analogous deposits
that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples
derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial
sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the availability of labour and
equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market
and economic instability; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such
that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable .
The forward -looking statements contained in this news release are made 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.