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Geomega Resources: Separation Process Receives Financial Support
Aug. 13, 2015 08:42AM PST
Rare Earth InvestingGeomega Resources (TSXV:GMA) announced that development of its proprietary separation process for rare earths has gained support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program. NRC-IRAP is providing Innord Inc. up to $200,000 over two years towards development of the process.
Geomega Resources (TSXV:GMA) announced that development of its proprietary separation process for rare earths has gained support from the National Research Council of Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program. NRC-IRAP is providing Innord Inc. up to $200,000 over two years towards development of the process.
As quoted in the press release:
The separation process is the final stage in producing pure individual rare earth oxides that follows a metallurgical process to extract the REE and niobium from the ore and produce a mixed REE concentrate and niobium oxide that was already developed by GéoMégA (see May 20, 2015 news release).
Based on electrophoresis technology, Innord’s proprietary separation process has the potential to significantly reduce the capital required to build REE separation facilities compared to conventional techniques (i.e. fractional precipitation, ion exchange and solvent extraction), optimize REE recovery and improve the environmental performance of operations. As pure individual rare earth oxides are essential to REE downstream processors and end users, a sustainable and competitive separation process is fundamental to developing a value added REE industry in Canada and Quebec.
Pouya Hajiani, Chief Technology Officer of GéoMégA and the inventor of the physical separation process stated:
Demonstrating credibility in process innovation through a junior exploration vehicle required multiple meetings, laboratory installations visits and a thorough review of our 2014 separation results and proposed prototype development program. This non-dilutive financial support will help Innord develop its proprietary separation process through the advisory services and technological expertise provided by NRC-IRAP. After years of relentless hard work culminating in Montviel’s hydrometallurgical leap as announced in May 2015, we are excited to be able to refocus again on the separation business.