VR confirms positive results for REE mineralogy at Hecla-Kilmer, with Permanent Magnet REOs hosted in monazite; plans are underway for beneficiation and metallurgy testing this spring. NR-23-04
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
VR confirms positive results for REE mineralogy at Hecla-Kilmer, with
Permanent Magnet REOs hosted in monazite; plans are underway for
beneficiation and metallurgy testing this spring.
NR-23-04
February 14 , 2023 , Vancouver, B.C.: VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF), the
"Company", or “VR”, is pleased to report on the first phase of the mineralogy and metallurgy study of the
REE critical metal mineralization at its Hecla-Kilmer (“H-K”) project in northern Ontario.
Highlights
• Scanning electron microprobe (SEM) confirms PMREO(2) minerals hosted in
monazite and parisite, phosphate and fluorocarbonate minerals, respectively.
• The REE mineralogy is consistent. It does not change through the 461 m vertical
intersection of continuous mineralization starting at surface at Pike Zone, and it is the same
2.5 km away at the South Rim Zone.
• Monazite has proven REE extraction, and it is the focus of new REE facilities in Canada.
Context for New Data
REE critical metal mineralization was discovered at Hecla-Kilmer in the first reconnaissance drill program
completed by VR in 2020. The 21 holes completed to date are shown in Figure 1.
The new mineralogy data reported herein are from an electron microprobe (EMPA) equipped with an
Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS). The work was completed by Renaud Geological Consulting Ltd.
(RGC) based in London, Ontario, who have extensive experience on REE deposits in Canada. The six
samples submitted for this study were designed to span the 500 metres of vertical extent of REE
mineralization at Pike Zone, and mineralization 2.5 km away at the South Rim Zone.
CEO Comment and Drill Core Photos
From VR’s CEO, Dr. Michael Gunning, “I simply cannot understate the significance of these results
towards the advancement of this REE critical metal discovery at Hecla-Kilmer.
First, these new SEM results are entirely consistent with results we have obtained from all of the state-of-
the-art technologies we have been able to utilize from the very beginning of our exploration to better
understand the REE mineralization. Suffice it to say, the new data on monazite are not surprising:
1. QEMSCAN analyses in 2020 by SGS Canada, Lakefield, which determine d the styles of
mineralization and alteration, and confirm ed the role of monazite and apatite, a phosphate
mineral, for hosting PMREO: Figure 2;
2. Whole-core XRF scanning on site in 2021 by GeologicAI of Calgary, which improved real-time
decision making for drilling, and confirmed the correlation between TREO and P2O5: Figure 3;
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
3. Lithium-borate fusion to optimize REE detection in drill core geochemical samples: Figure 4;
4. Electron microprobe analyses (EMPA-EDS) in 2023 by RGC in London and reported in this news
release to confirm monazite and parisite as the host minerals for the individual Permanent Magnet
REO’s, both in apatite veins and in carbonatite breccia cement: Figure 5, Figure 6.
This mineralogy is important. Canada is plagued with REE discoveries made during the past 60 years that
have never been developed because of the difficulty in extracting and recovering REEs contained in
silicate and/or refractory minerals. REE beneficiation from the sulfate mineral monazite is proven
however, so the two new REE processing facilities that have been recently built in Saskatoon and in Utah
in order to bolster domestic raw material supply for the EV industry in North America are both designed
around REE concentrates with monazite mineralogy. As such, it is a significant milestone for the Hecla-
Kilmer project that the new EMPA-EDS data confirm that the Permanent Magnet REO minerals are
hosted in monazite and parisite.
Finally, the importance of the high proportion of the four PMREOs in REE mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer
is worth re-emphasizing. This ratio is important because of the high price of the PMREOs, such as
neodymium and terbium, in response to the demand for permanent magnets in electric vehicles and
wind turbines. For comparison, published resources for most Canadian LREE deposits in carbonatite
typically contain between 12-15% PMREO of TREO, which is roughly 40% lower than the 19-22%
proportion at H-K. The graphic below enforces what that means for the value potential of this discovery.
Next Steps P lanned for the Hecla-Kilmer Project in 2023:
For Phase 2 of our beneficiation study of the REE mineralization at H-K, VR has completed the scoping for
a full metallurg y and mineral extraction study using a bulk sample obtained from drill core spanning a
broad intersection of REE mineralization starting at surface at the Pike Zone. This work is planned for the
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
first half of 2023, utilizing the recognized REE expertise at SGS Canada laboratories in Lakefield, Ontario,
and building upon our work with SGS for the past two years.
Follow-up drilling is planned for the spring of 2023. It will focus on supporting the afore -mentioned
advanced-stage studies at the Pike Zone , in addition to completing additional exploration drill holes
targeting other areas of known mineralization discovered to-date.
Overall, the path forward for this emerging discovery is strengthened by its location, just 23 km to the
northwest of the provincial hydroelectric dam at Otter Rapids, with supporting and active Ontario
Northern railroad and Highway 634 infrastructure.
Technical Information
Summary technical and geological information for the Company’s various exploration properties is
available at the Company’s website at www.vrr.ca.
VR submits sawn drill core samples for geochemical assay to the ALS Global Ltd. (“ALS”) laboratory
facilities in Timmins or Thunder Bay , Ontario, with final geochemical analytical work done at the ALS
laboratory located in North Vancouver, BC., including lithium borate fusion, ICP-MS and ICP-AES analyses
for base metals, trace elements and full-suite REE analysis, and gold determination by atomic absorption
on fire assay. Analytical results are subject to industry -standard and NI 43 -101 compliant QAQC sample
procedures, including the systematic insertion of sample duplicates , blanks and certified reference
material (CRM) done both externally by the Company on the exploration site, and internally at the ALS
laboratory.
Technical information for this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory
requirements set out in National Instrument 43- 101. Justin Daley, P.Geo., VP Exploration and a non -
independent Qualified Person oversees all aspects of the Company’s mineral exploration projects, and the
content of this news release has been reviewed on behalf of the Company by the CEO, Dr. Michael
Gunning, P.Geo., a non-independent Qualified Person.
(1) TREO is the summation of Ce2O3 + La2O3 + Pr2O3 + Nd2O3 + Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 +
Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3.
(2) PMREO is the sum of high value rare earth oxides used in permanent magnet motors and turbines used in electric vehicles
and wind turbines (Pr2O3 + Nd203 + Tb2O3 + Dy2O3).
About the Hecla-Kilmer Property
The Hecla-Kilmer complex is located 23 km northwest of the Ontario hydro-electric facility at Otter Rapids,
the Ontario Northland Railway, and the northern terminus of Highway 634 which links the region to the
towns of Cochrane and Kapuskasing to the south, itself located on the northern Trans-Canada Highway.
The H-K property is large. It consists of 224 mineral claims in one contiguous block approximately 6 x 7
km in size and covering 4,617 hectares. The property is owned 100% by VR. There are no underlying,
annual lease payments on the property, nor are there any joint venture or back-in interests. Hecla-Kilmer
is located on provincial crown land, with mineral rights administered by the Ontario Ministry of Northern
Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (“MNDM”). There are no annual payments, but the
MNDM requires certain annual exploration expenditures and reporting. The property falls within the
traditional territories of the Moose Cree and Taykwa Tagamou First Nations.
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
About VR Resources
VR is an established junior exp loration company focused on greenfield opportunities in critical metals,
copper and gold (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF). VR is the continuance of 4 years of active
exploration in Nevada by a Vancouver- based private company. The foundation of VR is the diverse
experience and proven track record of its Board in early -stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The
Company is well- financed for its exploration strategies and corporate obligations, and focuses on
underexplored, large-footprint mineral systems in the western United States and Canada. VR owns its
properties outright and evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, by staking or acquisition.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
“Michael H. Gunning”
____________________________
Dr. Michael H. Gunning, PhD, PGeo
President & CEO
For general information please use the following:
Website: www.vrr.ca
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 778-731-9292
Forward Looking Statements
This press release contains forward -looking statements. Forward -looking statements are typically
identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate and similar
expressions or those which, by their nat ure, refer to future events. Forward -looking statements in this
release include those related to the company’s upcoming plans, such as “Follow-up drilling is planned for
the spring of 2023”, and “VR evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis.”
This news release contains statements and/or information with respect to mineral properties and/or
deposits which are adjacent to and/or potentially similar to the Company’s mineral properties, but which
the Company has no interest in nor rights to explore. Rea ders are cautioned that mineral deposits on
similar properties are not necessarily indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties.
Although the Company believes that the use of such statements is reasonable, there can be no assurance
that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially
from those anticipated in such statements. The Company cautions investors that any forward -looking
statements by the Company are not guarantees of future performance, and that actual results may differ
materially from those in forward-looking statements. Trading in the securities of the Company should be
considered highly speculative. All of the Company’s public disclosure filings may be accessed via
www.sedar.com and readers are urged to review these materials.
Neither the 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.
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
Figure 1. Locations and key REE intersections for the 21 drill holes completed to date at Hecla -Kilmer, plotted
on a contoured RTP magnetic base map with superimposed 3D iso-shells from the MVI inversion. The new SEM
mineral data reported herein are from Hole 13 at the Pike Zone, and Hole 15 at the South Rim Zone.
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
Figure 2. Drill core photograph above QEMSCAN imagery and element data from SGS Lakefield Research below,
from bedrock surface at the top of Drill H ole HK20-004, showing the relationship between REE minerals and
apatite, a phosphate mineral. Calcite inclusions in the apatite vein matrix contain REE-bearing monazite
((Nd,Pr,Dy,Tb)PO4) and parisite, and occur near a ltered magnetite needles with reaction rims of pyrite –iron
carbonate (LREE)–pyrochlore ( Na,Ca)2Nb2O6(OH,F). See Figure 1 for Hole 004 location, at the same collar as
Hole 13 with 361 m @ 1% TREO.
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
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Figure 3. Whole-core XRF and SWIR scanning on-site at the exploration drill camp at Otter Rapids in 2021, using
technology by GeologicAI, Calgary. The scanning improved real-time decision making for drilling using down-hole
geochemical and mineralogical plots generated in the field, such as the graphic log shown on the right. T he
correlation between TREO and P 2O5 evident in the REE mineralization at surface in Drill Hole 004 is consistent
with the correlation evident in drill core geochemical data shown in Figure 4 . This correlation is also consistent
with the apatite-monazite phosphate mineralogy for the PMREOs at Hecla-Kilmer as identified by both QEMSCAN
(Figure 2) and SEM (Figures 5 & 6).
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
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Figure 4. Geochemical plot of P2O5 vs. PMREO (the permanent magnet REOs) based on a robust data set
derived from approximately 4,600 samples from the first 17 drill holes completed at Hecla -Kilmer. The
correlation coefficient is nearly 1:1, and it reinforces the same correlation evident in XRF data for Hole 004
as shown in Figure 3. This correlation is consistent with the apatite-monazite phosphate mineralogy for
the PMREOs at Hecla-Kilmer as identified by both QEMSCAN (Figure 2) and the SEM (Figures 5 & 6).