Namibia Critical Metals Discovers High-Grade Light Rare Earths Mineralization on New Project Area
Press Release
Namibia Critical Metals Discovers High-Grade Light Rare Earths
Mineralization on New Project Area
• Discovery of more than 250 individual mineralized dykes covering an area of
30 km2
• Average grade of 18.95% TREO from 59 grab samples from the distinct LREE-
carbonatite dykes, grades range from 9.64% TREO to maximum of 26.47%
TREO(see sample distribution below)
• Simple mineralogy in carbonatite confirmed as bastnäsite and calcite
• Mapping and structural analysis continues in early 2020. Geophysical surveys
planned (ultra-high resolution magnetics and gravity), followed by drilling.
Halifax, Nova Scotia February 4, 2020 – Namibia Critical Metals Inc. (“Namibia Critical
Metals” or the “Company”) (TSXV:NMI) today announced significant results from rock samples
taken from the Company’s 95% owned Kunene project area in the Kunene Region of north-
western Namibia. Grab samples taken from the carbonatite dykes have returned grades of
9.64% TREO to 26.47% TREO which are highly enriched in neodymium and praseodymium.
Grab samples are selected samples and are not necessarily representative of the
mineralization hosted everywhere on the property. Mineralization has been confirmed in over
250 carbonatite dykes throughout an area of 30 km 2. The project is situated about 3 40
kilometers north of the Company’s Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project and represents a new light
rare earth (“LREE”) opportunity for the Company.
Pine van Wyk, CEO of Namibia Critical Metals, stated “This discovery provides Namibia Critical
Metals with the foundation for a new light rare earths project. The project complements our
advanced heavy rare earth s project at Lofdal which has now firmly secured a strategic
partnership with JOGMEC. It offers our shareholders an opportunity in the early stage
exploration of a high grade neodymium -praseodymium project on a district scale . We have
undertaken to focus th e Company on critical metals opportunities and our generative team
led by Rainer Ellmies has delivered again with an outstanding discovery.”
Mineralization
The LREE-mineralization is associated with discrete carbonatite dykes over strike lengths of
tens to several hundred meters with widths of between 20 centimeters to a maximum of 4
meters. The dykes follow a broad east -west zone and are interpreted as distinct primary
magmatic features hosted by fenitized country rocks . Initial r econnaissance mapping has
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delineated at least 250 of the LREE carbonatite dykes over an area of more than 30 km 2
(Figure 1).
Locally, the dykes form sets of sheeted, sub-parallel dykes or mineralized breccia zones. On
a larger scale the dykes follow elongated dome -like structures with thick minerali zation in
jogs of adjoining domes or in the roofs of the domes (Figure 2). Further detailed mapping and
geophysics will concentrate on these swell zones to understand the structural and magmatic
setting of thicker dykes.
Grab Sample Results
Mineralization in the dykes was initially assessed during mapping using a handheld XRF
analyser. Outcrop analyses were taken of the distinct LREE carbonatite dykes, other magmatic
rocks, fenites and country rocks. Selected grab samples of the mineralized carbonatite were
submitted for ICP-MS analyses to confirm grades. Grab samples are selected samples and are
not necessarily representative of the mineraliza tion hosted everywhere on the property. A
total of 59 grab samples were taken systematically from LREE carbonatite dykes throughout
the area. ICP-MS analyses of these 59 samples average 18.95% TREO with grades ranging
from 9.64% TREO to 24.67%. Grade distribution of the samples is as follows:
9-10% TREO n= 2 samples
10-15% TREO n= 9 samples
15-20% TREO n= 21 samples
20-25% TREO n= 23 samples
>25% TREO n= 4 samples(highest grade 26.47% TREO)
The mineralization shows a strong LREE distribution with an average grade of 2.01%
neodymium oxide and 0.73% praseodymium oxide (the “magnet LREEs”). See Table 1.
Table 1 – Average REO concentration of 59 grab samples taken from the LREE-carbonatite dykes.
Sample preparation and analytical work for the rock samples was carried out by Activation
Laboratories Ltd. (Windhoek, Namibia and Ancaster, Ontario) with internal laboratory QAQC
controls employing ICP-MS techniques suitable for rare earth element analyses.
Very Simple and Favorable Mineralogy
QEMSCAN analysis of one typical LREE carbonatite sample determined that the only significant
REE-mineral is bastnäsite [(LREE)CO 3(OH,F)] which makes up 27.35% of the rock and is
associated with calcite at a ratio of 1:2.5. Minor minerals included hematite (1.5%) and
parasite (1.6%). This simple mineralogy is a favourable metallurgical characteristic for
processing.
Planned Work
Mapping and structural analysis will continue in early 2020. Geophysical surveys planned will
include ultra-high resolution magnetics and gravity to assist in tracing the dykes where they
cannot be mapped under cover and to provide better interpretation for possible source
areas/carbonatite plugs that may be related to the high grade mineralization exposed at
La2O3 % Ce2O3 % Pr2O3 % Nd2O3 % Sm2O3 % Eu2O3 % Gd2O3 % Tb2O3 %
6.98 9.01 0.73 2.01 0.13 0.02 0.04 0.00
Dy2O3 % Ho2O3 % Er2O3 % Tm2O3 % Yb2O3 % Lu2O3 % Y2O3 % TREO %
0.01 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.02 18.95
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surface. Follow up drilling will test lateral and vertical extents of the dykes and interpreted
intrusive features of interest.
Figure 1 – Overview of the dyke system indicating the general structural setting of the mineralisation and TREO
grades of the LREE-carbonatite.
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Figure 2 – Detailed mapping of dykes in the western zone showing partly circular structures.
Donald M. Burton, P.Geo. and President of Namibia Critical Metals Inc., is the Company’s
Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release.
About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
Namibia Critical Metals Inc. holds a diversified portfolio of exploration and advanced stage
projects in the country of Namibia focused on the development of sustainable and ethical
sources of metals for the battery, electric vehicle and associated industries. The Company
also has significant land positions in areas favourable for gold mineralization.
At the Erongo Gold Project, stratigraphic equivalents to the sediments hosting the recent
Osino gold discovery at Twin Hills have been identified but not yet sampled. Detailed soil
surveys are planned over this highly prospective area.
In addition to Lofdal, the Epembe Tantalum-Niobium Project is also at an advanced stage
with a well -defined, 10 km long carbonatite dyke that has been delineated by detailed
mapping with over 11,000 meters of drilling. Preliminary mineralogical and metallurgical
studies including sorting tests (XRT), indicate the potential for significant physical upgrading.
Further work will be undertaken to advance the project to a preliminary economic assessment
stage.
The Kunene Cobalt-Copper Project comprises a very large area of favorable stratigraphy
(“the DOF”) along strike to the west of the Opuwo Co -Cu-Zn deposit. Secondary copper
mineralization over a wide area points to preliminary evidence of a regional -scale
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hydrothermal system. Exploration targets on EPLs held in the Kunene project comprise direct
extensions of the DOF style mineralization to the west, sediment -hosted cobalt and copper,
orogenic copper, and stratabound Mn and Zn-Pb mineralization.
Earlier stage projects include the Grootfontein Project which has potential for magmatic
Cu-Ni mineralization, Mississippi Valley -type Zn-Pb-V mineralization and Otjikoto -style gold
mineralization.
The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under
the symbol “NMI”.
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.
For more information please contact -
Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
Don Burton, President
Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760
Fax: +01 (902) 835-8761
Email: [email protected]
Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com
The foregoing information may contain forward -looking information relating to the future performance of Namibia Rare Earths Inc. Forward -
looking information, specifically, that concerning future performance, is subject to certain risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ
materially. These risks and uncertainties are detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the appropriate securities commissions.
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