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The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has included Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp.’s (TSXV:QRE,OTCQX:QREDF,FWB:BR3) Elk Creek, Nebraska rare earth elements (REE) site in a federally funded research project on mineral resources that are important to the economy, national security, and land-use decisions.
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has included Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp.’s (TSXV:QRE,OTCQX:QREDF,FWB:BR3) Elk Creek, Nebraska rare earth elements (REE) site in a federally funded research project on mineral resources that are important to the economy, national security, and land-use decisions.
As quoted in the press release:
Quantum looks forward to cooperating with the grant recipients. Quantum has been testing historic and recent core samples at Elk Creek, including historic samples that were stored at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The principal scientists for the research will be Lang Farmer of the University of Colorado and Matt Joeckel and Richard Kettler of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. They were selected from among other applicants for MRERP funding from academia, state agencies, private sector organizations and other scientists.
The USGS grant announcement stated, “The University of Colorado and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln will conduct a collaborative research project to examine the age and origin of the REE resources of the Elk Creek deposit in southeastern Nebraska by investigating previously collected drilling core. The Elk Creek REE deposit is found in a rare carbonate-rich igneous rock known as carbonatite. In addition to REEs, the Elk Creek carbonatite may comprise the largest niobium resource in the United States. Niobium is primarily used as an alloying element in steels and superalloys, such as materials used in high performance aircraft. This research is expected to yield data and information that will advance exploration and assessment models for similar REE deposits.”
The total amount of the five MRERP grants from USGS is more than $260,000. For additional details, see https://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3082
Quantum Rare Earth Developments CEO Peter Dickie said:
“USGS has stated that in addition to REEs at Elk Creek, the site may contain the largest niobium resource in the U.S.”,”It’s an honor for Elk Creek to have been selected as the subject of one of five research grants from USGS under the 2012 USGS Mineral Resources External Research Program (MRERP).”
Click here to read the Quantum Rare Earth Developments (TSXV:QRE) press release
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