Search Minerals Reports High REE Extraction from Deep Fox Mineral Sample

Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV:SMY) announced the results of a bench-top demonstration test on a mineral sample from the Deep Fox project. The test was done using the Search Minerals Direct Extraction Process, and was completed at SGS Laboratories in Ontario.
As quoted in the press release:

The Deep Fox sample (a surface channel sample) containing 1.59% TREE including 2,470 g/t Neodymium (Nd), 697 g/t Praseodymium (Pr) and 306 g/t Dysprosium (Dy) was crushed to pass 10 mesh in particle size. The sample was mixed with sulfuric acid and heated at 190 °C for 8 hours before water leaching for 36 hours at 90 °C.
At the end of the water leach, the remaining solids were filtered and washed. The washed solids, the leachate and the wash solution were then analyzed.
Test Highlights:

• Deep Fox extractions of 90.8% Nd, 90.5% Pr, 81.3% Dy and 82.5% Terbium (Tb) – (complete extractions shown below in Table 1 below).
• The extractions from Deep Fox compare favourably with the extractions from the Foxtrot recent pilot plant sample of 85% for Nd, 86% for Pr, 68% for Dy and 71% for Tb, (See Search News Release-October 15, 2015 – Search Minerals announces expansion of the Deepwater Fox “Critical REE” prospect in the Port Hope Simpson REE District).
• The Deep Fox surface channel sample was approximately 1.65 times higher in TREE grade compared to the Foxtrot Pilot Plant sample.

Greg Andrews, president and CEO of Search, commented:

We are very encouraged by these high extraction results from our Deep Fox channel samples. The metallurgical process refined and verified at pilot plant scale for our Foxtrot material has, during this bench scale testing, performed even better with the Deep Fox material. Deep Fox channel grades are up to 15% higher than those at Foxtrot along a similar strike length. A primary objective noted in our recently announced decision to raise $3 million through private placement is to validate our Port Hope Simpson Critical Rare Earth District concept by drilling Deep Fox. Obviously, these recovery rates provide an additional incentive to drill this prospect.
Search continues to optimize the extraction recoveries of the key rare earth elements which are crucial for the permanent magnet market. These elements include: Neodymium, Praseodymium, Dysprosium, and Terbium. All these elements are forecasted to be in short supply due to rapidly growing demand for renewable power generation, electric mobility, and energy-efficient technologies.

Click here to read the full Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV:SMY) press release.