Namibia Critical Metals Files NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate Report for the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project on SEDAR
Namibia Critical Metals Files NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate
Report for the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project on SEDAR
HALIFAX, NS / ACCESSWIRE / May 21, 2024 / Namibia Critical Metals Inc. ("Namibia
Critical Metals" or the "Company" or "NMI") (TSXV:NMI)(OTCQB:NMREF) is pleased to
announce that the updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate on the Lofdal Heavy Rare
Earth Project in northern Namibia ("Lofdal" or "the project") has been filed on SEDAR. Lofdal
is a joint venture between the Company and Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security
("JOGMEC").
Lofdal is unique as one of only two primary xenotime projects under development in the world.
The deposit has the potential for significant production of dysprosium and terbium, the two most
valuable heavy rare earths used in high powered magnets. The joint venture with JOGMEC is
driven by Lofdal's potential to be a long term, sustainable supply of heavy rare earths for Japan.
Mineral Resource Estimate
As previously reported (Press Release of April 9, 2024) the updated Mineral Resource Estimate
was independently prepared by The MSA Group of South Africa ("MSA") and was based on
geochemical analyses and density measurements of core samples obtained by diamond drilling
and drill chips obtained by reverse circulation drilling undertaken by Namibia Critical Metals
from 2010 to 2012, 2015, 2020 and more recently in 2023. From the assumed parameters a 0.1%
TREO cut-off grade was calculated, which together with the Whittle optimized pit shell
demonstrates reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction (RPEEE) for the Mineral
Resource.
The Mineral Resource is reported as Measured, Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources as
shown in Table 1 for Area 4 and Table 2 for Area 2B. The Mineral Resource was estimated
using The Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum (CIM) Best Practice
Guidelines (2019) and is reported in accordance with the 2014 CIM Definition Standards, which
have been incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure
for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101).
The Qualified Person (QP) for the Mineral Resource estimate is Mr. Jeremy C. Witley (BSc
Hons, MSc (Eng.)). In the QP's opinion, the Mineral Resources reported herein at the selected
cut-off grade have "reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction", taking into
consideration mining and processing assumptions. The Mineral Resource was reported from
within a Whittle optimised pit shell at a cut-off grade of 0.10% TREO.
Table 1: Area 4 Mineral Resources above a 0.1% TREO cut-off
grade - 5 April 2024
Category
Tonnes
(Mt)
TREO*
%
HREO**
%
LREO***
%
Dy2O3
ppm
TREO
(kt)
Measured 6.6 0.21 0.14 0.07 130 13.7
Indicated 49.2 0.15 0.07 0.08 69 75.7
Measured &
Indicated 55.8 0.16 0.08 0.08 76 89.4
Inferred 10.5 0.14 0.06 0.08 58 15.0
Notes:
1. All tabulated data have been rounded and as a result minor computational errors may
occur.
2. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, have no demonstrated economic
viability.
3. Quantities reported are the total quantities for the project regardless of ownership.
4. *TREO = Total Rare Earth Oxides and includes Y2O3
5. **HREO = Heavy Rare Earth Oxides and includes Y2O3
6. ***LREO = Light Rare Earth Oxides
7. Mt = Million tonnes, kt = Thousand tonnes.
8. Table 2: Area 2B Mineral Resources above a 0.1% TREO cut-off
grade - 5 April 2024
Category
Tonnes
(Mt)
TREO*
%
HREO**
%
LREO***
%
Dy2O3
ppm
TREO
(kt)
Indicated 2.7 0.16 0.09 0.07 97 4.4
Inferred 4.4 0.15 0.07 0.08 75 6.6
Notes:
1. All tabulated data have been rounded and as a result minor computational errors may
occur.
2. Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, have no demonstrated economic
viability.
3. Quantities reported are the total quantities for the project regardless of ownership.
4. *TREO = Total Rare Earth Oxides and includes Y2O3
5. **HREO = Heavy Rare Earth Oxides and includes Y2O3
6. ***LREO = Light Rare Earth Oxides
7. Mt = Million tonnes, kt = Thousand tonnes,.
The Area 4 Mineral Resource Estimate has increased from the previous estimate of 12 May 2021
(see Tables 3 and 4), due to the additional drilling, which has expanded the Indicated and
Inferred Mineral Resources, along with changes in the economic input parameters used to define
the optimised pit-shell for determining Reasonable Prospects for Eventual Economic Extraction
(RPEEE). The Inferred Mineral Resources have increased in tonnages due to the additional RC
drilling which has extended the Mineral Resource in a northeasterly direction along strike.
Table 3: Comparison of Lofdal Mineral Resource Estimates of 2021 and 2024 at a 0.1%
TREO cut-off grade
Year of Mineral Resource
Estimate 2021 2024
Million
tonnes Grade
Million
tonnes Grade
(Mt) %TREO (Mt) %TREO
Measured Resource Area 4 5.9 0.21 6.6 0.21
Indicated Resource Area 4 36.6 0.16 49.2 0.15
Indicated Resource Area
2B 2.2 0.19 2.7 0.16
Total Measured &
Indicated Resources 44.8 0.17 58.5 0.16
Inferred Resource Area 4 6.1 0.17 10.5 0.14
Inferred Resource Area 2B 2.6 0.19 4.4 0.15
Total Inferred Resources 8.7 0.17 14.9 0.14
Table 4: Comparison of contained TREO, Dysprosium oxide and Terbium oxide in
Mineral Resource Estimates of 2021 and 2024 at a 0.1% TREO cut-off grade
TREO Dy2O3 Tb2O3
Year of Mineral
Resource Estimate 2021 2024 2021 2024 2021 2024
tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes tonnes
Measured Resources 12,710 13,650 820 855 120 124
Indicated Resources 59,970 80,081 3,240 3,648 500 568
Total Measured &
Indicated Resources 72,680 93,731 4,060 4,503 620 692
Total Inferred
Resources 10,120 21,602 680 937 110 153
Filing of Report
The report, titled Namibia Critical Metals Inc. Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project, Namibia NI
43-101 Technical Report -21 May 2024 Mineral Resource Estimate is authored by Jeremy
Witley, MSc, P. Sci. Nat - The MSA Group, South Africa; Scott Swinden, Ph.D, P.Geol -
Swinden Geoscience Consultants Ltd. and Barbara Mulcahy, P,Eng.
The Qualified Person for the Mineral Resource estimate is Mr. Jeremy C. Witley (BSc Hons,
MSc (Eng.)) who is a geologist with more than 35 years' experience in base and precious metals
exploration and mining as well as in Mineral Resource evaluation and reporting. He is a
Principal Resource Consultant for The MSA Group (an independent consulting company), is
registered with the South African Council for Natural Scientific Professions (SACNASP) and is
a Fellow of the Geological Society of South Africa (GSSA). Mr. Witley has the appropriate
relevant qualifications and experience to be considered a "Qualified Person" for the style and
type of mineralization and activity being undertaken as defined in National Instrument 43-101
Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects.
Geological services were provided by Gecko Exploration (Pty) Ltd. under the supervision of Dr
Rainer Ellmies, VP Exploration for Namibia Critical Metals. Drilling services were provided by
Günzel Drilling and Prinsloo Drilling, both Namibian contract drilling companies which also
carried out the downhole geophysical measurements. Sample preparation and analytical services
were provided by Activation Laboratories Ltd. (Windhoek, Namibia and Ancaster, Ontario) as
the primary laboratory employing ICP-MS techniques suitable for rare earth element analyses
and following strict internal QAQC procedures inserting blanks, standards and duplicates. Check
analyses were carried out by ALS Minerals (North Vancouver) as the umpire laboratory on
approximately 5% of the resource database.
Neither Mr. Witley nor any associates employed in the preparation of the Mineral Resource
report ("Consultants") have any beneficial interest in Namibia Critical Metals. These Consultants
are not insiders, associates, or affiliates of Namibia Critical Metals. The results of the report are
not dependent upon any prior agreements concerning the conclusions to be reached, nor are there
any undisclosed understandings concerning any future business dealings between Namibia
Critical Metals and the Consultants. The Consultants are to be paid a fee for their work in
accordance with normal professional consulting practices.
About Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
NMI is developing the Tier-1 Heavy Rare Earth Project, Lofdal, a globally significant deposit of
the heavy rare earth metals dysprosium and terbium. Demand for these critical metals used in
permanent magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other electronics is driven by
innovations linked to energy and technology transformations. The geopolitical risks associated
with sourcing many of these metals has become a repeated concern for manufacturers and end
users. Namibia is a proven and stable mining jurisdiction.
The Lofdal Project is fully permitted with a 25-year Mining License and is under a Joint Venture
Agreement with Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC).
The Company filed a robust updated PEA for "Lofdal 2B-4" on November 14, 2022, with a post-
tax NPV of USD$391 million and an annual IRR of 28% with a capital expenditure of USD$207
million. The project is projected to generate a life of mine nominal cash flow of USD$698
million post-tax over a 16-year mine life.
About Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) and the JV
JOGMEC is a Japanese government independent administrative agency which seeks to secure
stable resource supplies for Japan. JOGMEC has a strong reputation as a long term, strategic
partner in mineral projects globally. JOGMEC facilitates opportunities with Japanese private
companies to secure supplies of natural resources for the benefit of the country's economic
development.
Rare earth elements are of critical importance to Japanese industrial interests and JOGMEC has
extensive experience with all aspects of the sector. JOGMEC provided Lynas with
USD$250,000,000 in loans and equity in 2011 to ensure supplies of the Light Rare Earths metals
suite to the Japanese industry.
Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held
for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture
agreement with the Company stipulate that JOGMEC provides C$3,000,000 in Term 1 and
C$7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project. Term 3 calls for a further
C$10,000,000 of expenditures to earn an additional 10% interest. JOGMEC can also purchase
another 1% for C$5,000,000 and has first right of refusal to fully fund the project through to
commercial production and to purchase all production at market prices. The collective interests
of NCMI and historically disadvantaged Namibians cannot be diluted below a 26% carried
working interest upon payment of C$5,000,000 to JOGMEC for the dilution protection. NMI
may elect to participate up to a maximum of 44% by funding pro rata after the earn in period is
completed.
To date, JOGMEC has completed Term 2 and earned a 40% interest by reaching the C$10
million expenditure requirement. Total approved project funding to date is C$14,541,000 of the
$20,000,000 Earn-In requirement to reach 50% interest.
Rainer Ellmies, PhD, MScGeol, EurGeol, AusIMM and Vice President of Namibia Critical
Metals Inc., is the Company's Qualified Person and has reviewed and approved this press release.
The common shares of Namibia Critical Metals Inc. trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under
the symbol "NMI" and the OTCQB Market under the symbol "NMREF".
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.
Darrin Campbell, President
Tel: +01 (902) 835-8760
Email: [email protected] Web site: www.NamibiaCriticalMetals.com
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities laws. Forward looking information is frequently characterized by words
such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will",
"would", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or
conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Forward-looking
information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is
provided, and is 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. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business
and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. The
Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or
management's estimates or opinions should change, unless required by law. The reader is
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
SOURCE: Namibia Critical Metals Inc.