VR Outlines Plans for Q1 2024 to Advance its REE Discovery at Hecla-Kilmer NR-24-01
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
VR Outlines Plans for Q1 2024 to Advance its REE Discovery at Hecla-Kilmer
NR-24-01
January 18, 2024 , Vancouver, B.C.: VR Resources Ltd. (TSX.V: VRR, FSE: 5VR; OTCQB: VRRCF), the
"Company", or “VR”, is pleased to provide an update on work planned in Q1 2024 to continue advancing
the REE discovery at its Hecla-Kilmer project located in northern Ontario.
VR’s goal is to assess the potential for the first sustained rare earth element production, including the
Permanent Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (PMREO) Nd, Pr, Tb and Dy, in Canada. Plans for Q1 2024 include:
1. Phase 2 Metallurgical Studies: Completion of Phase II metallurgical studies at SGS, to evaluate
the recovery and beneficiation processes for an apatite-monazite mineral concentrate.
2. REE Mineral Volume Assessment: Evaluation of REE mineral volume potential within vertical
structures at the Pike Zone and South Rim Zone, targeting production at approximately 1% Total
Rare Earth Oxide (TREO), with an unusual PMREO content from 18% to 24%.
3. Economic Scoping of Mining Methods: Collaboration with Novamera Inc., Toronto, to evaluate
the use of small footprint, low impact, surface bore hole surgical mining methods.
4. Alignment with Pilot Plant Designs: Ongoing discussion with SRC, Saskatoon, to align REE
mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer with new REE extraction plants in North America.
5. Digital Compilation of Magnetic Surveys: Compile all regional and property-scale magnetic
surveys covering VR's expanded land holdings across 15 properties in the region and integrate
with the high-resolution surveys completed by VR during the past four years.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Continuation of open communication and collaboration with both the
Ontario government (MNDM) and the Moose Cree First Nation.
Mineralogy Matters
There are proven and cost-effective extraction processes and new extraction plants in North America for
the REE-bearing mineral assemblage of apatite and monazite which occurs at Hecla-Kilmer.
Results from Phase 1 of the bulk sample mineralogy study completed at SGS Lakefield in Ontario in 2023
are positive. They confirm that the phosphate mineral apatite is the primary REE host, and it is uniquely
enriched: published resources for LREE carbonatite deposits in Canada typically contain between 12-15%
PMREO of TREO, which is roughly 40% lower than the 18-24% proportion in the bulk sample from H-K.
Figure 1 emphasizes the value potential of the REE mineralization at H-K because of the high value of
the two heavy REEs (HREE) that go into permanent magnets: dysprosium and terbium.
As previously reported, and summarized in full on the Company’s website at www.vrr.ca :
• Apatite contains approximately 80% of all REEs at H-K;
• Apatite is 7.3 % TREO on average, with REE in the crystal lattice and in monazite inclusions;
• High value permanent magnet REEs (PMREO) are up to 25% of TREO in the apatite;
• Carbonatites are a source of pure, clean magmatic phosphate used in electric vehicle batteries,
and the apatite in the 461 m intersection in Hole 13 averages 2% P2O5, starting at surface;
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
• The apatite is both coarse grained and crystalographically pure compared to apatite in
sedimentary-hosted phosphate deposits.
Canada is plagued with REE discoveries made during the past 60 years that have never been developed
for two main reasons: First, most REE carbonatite deposits are enriched only in LREE (neodymium and
praseodymium), and second; where HREE-rich deposits do occur, the silicate REE mineralogy is too
difficult or costly to extract. The REE mineralogy at Hecla-Kilmer is a clear distinction.
There is no REE production in Canada, and no HREE production across North America, period. As such,
the sector is attracting strong support from provincial and federal government programs in both Canada
and the United States as resource demands shift in relation to new sustainable technologies in the
emerging Green Economy. Hecla-Kilmer is on the radar screen: it has been awarded in all three years of
the Ontario OJEP program.
Size Matters
Hecla-Kilmer is a large and multiphase, alkaline ultrabasic intrusive complex with carbonatite
approximately 4 – 6 km across. There was modern, systematic exploration or drill-testing of the complex
for a large-scale, magnetite-fluorite-apatite hydrothermal breccia system with critical metals prior to VR.
REEs were discovered at Hecla-Kilmer by VR in its second drill hole, during the very first reconnaissance
drill program in 2020. A total of 9,979 m of drilling has been completed in 24 drill holes in five programs
since, with REE mineralization of > 1% TREO intersected in 18 of the 24 holes.
Vertical apatite-carbonate vein and vein breccia systems are consistently concentrated in REEs across
some 2.5 km of the complex. The higher grade mineralization occurs within a km-scale footprint of high
temperature, potassic alteration (fenite) dominated by hydrothermal biotite and magnetite; it occurs
along abrupt, original intrusive host rock contacts, and is commonly structurally controlled.
VR plans to complete an independent, 3D model for REE mineralization volumes at Hecla-Kilmer. It will
use continuous geochemical and magnetic susceptibility data obtained from all 24 drill holes. Further
constraints from the 3D magnetic inversion models derived from the high-resolution drone survey in
2022, and the high-resolution ground gravity data obtained in 2021 will improve the outlines for mineral
volume potential based on the various REE drill intersections.
Figure 2. Magnetic map showing zones discovered to date with >1% TREO mineralization.
Location Matters
VR plans to evaluate the small footprint, low impact, surface bore hole surgical mining method being
developed by Novamera Inc., Toronto, for the high grade veins, dykes and breccia bodies at Hecla-Kilmer
based on the polymetallic nature of the REE mineralization including phosphate and niobium and the
unique enrichment of the heavy PMREO – yes – but also because of its location attributes:
Figure 3. Apatite-enriched REE mineralization occurs at bedrock surface at the base of till, and just
23 km from active rail, highway and provincial power grid infrastructure at Otter Rapids.
The presence of PMREO aside, the logistical attributes of Hec la-Kilmer cannot be over -stated, and t he
exclamation point is its location in a province demonstrating active support for a domestic supply of
critical metals for the EV auto industry in Canada!
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
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 on the project site by the Company and internally at the laboratory
by ALS, as described by ALS.
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.
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 10 multi-cell 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.
About VR Resources
VR is an established junior exploration company based in Vancouver (TSX.V: VRR; Frankfurt: 5VR; OTCQB:
VRRCF). VR evaluates, explores and advances opportunities in copper, gold and critical metals in Nevada,
USA, and Ontario, Canada, and most recently, a kimberlite breccia pipe discovery in northern Ontario. VR
applies modern exploration technologies and leverages in-house experience and expertise in greenfields
exploration to large-footprint mineral systems in underexplored areas/districts. The foundation of VR is
the proven track record of its Board in early-stage exploration, discovery and M&A. The Company is well-
financed for its mineral exploration and corporate obligations. VR owns its properties outright and
evaluates new opportunities on an ongoing basis, whether by staking or acquisition.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
“Michael H. Gunning”
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
____________________________
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 news release contains statements that constitute "forward -looking statements". Such forward looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual
results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated
results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward -looking statements. Forward -looking
statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generall y, but not always, identified by the words
"expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions,
or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this
document include statements concerning VR’s expectations concerning the Hecla-Kilmer property and all other
statements that are not statements of historical fact.
Although the Company believes the forward -looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based
on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known
and unknown risks, uncertain ties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or
achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and
uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid -19 pandemic; adverse industry events; future
legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company ’s ability to access sufficient capital from
internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and
markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Compa ny to implement its business strategies; competition; and
other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of
the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue
importance on forward -looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While
the company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required
in accordance with applicable laws.
This news release may also contain 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. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on similar properties are not
necessarily indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties.
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.sedarplus.ca and readers are urged to review them.
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. Photograph of drill core from 174 m depth in hole HK22-013 at Pike Zone, within the middle part of the
461 m intersection of continuous REE mineralization starting at bedrock surface at the base of till, and open at the
end of the hole at 503m. The REE-bearing apatite-carbonate vein breccia is associated with a potassic alteration
assemblage (fenite) dominated by hydrothermal biotite and magnetite which completely replaces the original
intrusive host rock. The apatite is coarse grained and crystalographically pure. It is uniquely enriched in REE, with
7.3 % TREO on average, and 18-24% PMREO; the REE is mainly in the crystal lattice, and also in monazite
inclusions within the apatite. The lower graphic illustrates the importance of the two HREEs, terbium and
dysprosium, towards the implied basket value for Hecla-Kilmer compared to most LREE carbonatites.
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. Magnetic map of the multiphase Hecla-Kilmer complex, with red ellipses showing areas of mineral
volume potential with >1% TREO. Red dots are collar locations for 24 drill holes completed in 5 programs
since 2020. For reference, Pike Zone and South Rim are approximately 2.5 km apart.
VR RESOURCES LTD.
1500 – 409 Granville St.
Vancouver, BC, Canada, V6C1T2
Tel: 778-731-9292; [email protected]
TSX.V: vrr www.vrr.ca
Figure 3. Besides the unique REE enrichment of apatite at Hecla -Kilmer and the implied basket value of
polymetallic mineralization including terbium and dysprosium , the economic scoping of surgical mining at
Hecla-Kilmer builds upon this series of photos: the apatite -carbonate-magnetite REE mineralization in the
middle photo comes to bedrock surface at the base of till below a typical drill site shown in the upper photo
at Pike Zone, itself just 23 km from the infrastructure at nearby Otter Rapids shown in lower photo.