* Matamec Expl. Heavy REO (hREO) in Kanada *

"Matamec Exploration: Neues Verfahren senkt Förderkosten um 90 Prozent

Montreal 23.08.2011 (www.emfis.com) Wie das kanadische Seltenen-Erden-Unternehmen Matamec Exploration gestern mitteilte, hat man eine günstigere Möglichkeit gefunden, das Gestein der Kipawa-Lagerstätte zu verarbeiten.

Durch das neue Verfahren können die erheblichen Aufheizkosten der Säure, die für die Extrahierung der Rare-Earth-Metalle zwingend erforderlich waren, nahezu auf Null senken. Unterm Strich hätte dies zur Folge, dass die Förderkosten in Teilbereichen um 90 Prozent sinken. Für die Kipawa-Liegenschaft selbst hätte das kurzfristig keine allzu großen Auswirkungen, da der Produktionsbeginn noch in weiter Ferne liegt. Da hilft auch die recht hohe Konzentration an schweren Seltenen Erden nicht wirklich weiter, weil sich nicht abschätzen lässt, ob die Preise in einigen Jahren nicht auch in diesem Bereich unter die Räder gekommen sind.

Chance auf Patentierung

Dennoch ist die Nachricht alles andere als uninteressant. Sofern sich herausstellt, dass die Reduzierung der Förderkosten nicht nur die Kipawa-Lagerstätte begünstigt sondern auch für andere Seltenen-Erden-Vorkommen nützlich ist, könnte Matamec ein Patent anmelden und Wettbewerbern die Erlaubnis zur Nutzung dieses Verfahrens verkaufen. Auf diese Weise ließen sich möglicherweise erhebliche Einnahmen erzielen, die für eine Weiterentwicklung der Kipawa-Liegenschaft dringend benötigt werden.

Mutige Anleger, die noch nach einem Investment im Bereich der Seltenen Erden Ausschau halten, können sich die Aktie von Matamec Explorations auf jeden Fall einmal etwas näher ansehen, zumal es derzeit danach aussieht, als könnten die Papiere im Bereich um 037 Dollar einen tragfähigen Boden ausbilden."

Quelle: http://www.emfis.de/global/global/nachrichten/...Prozent_ID96591.html  

Gestern wurden in toronto 1,426,059 Stück umgesetzt!
Ein Vorbote? Die Ergebnisse der Scoping Study könnten jetzt jeden veröffentlicht werden..
(Matamec Scoping Study Due Beginning of Q4)

ich bin auf jeden fall gespannt..

gruß black.jack  

das q4 fängt natürlich erst im oktober an!
egal dauert ja auch nicht mehr so lange;)  

das tut weh..

jetzt hats uns auch erwischt.
charttechnisch erste kleine unterstützung bei 0,25$ca. sonst 0,2$ca

news:
Matamec Gets Full Coverage by Two Analysts

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 22, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that they now have full analyst coverage from 2 new analysts; Edward Otto from Cormark Securities and Jon Hykawy from Byron Capital Markets. These reports reaffirm the positive coverage from Luisa Moreno of Jacob Securities.  

sind das eine, aber wenn entsprechendes Volumen ohne News dahintersteht..... da weiss doch wieder einer mehr als wir.

      Date      Open      High       Low     Close    Volume       Chg§% Chg
09/22/2011     0.330     0.330     0.280     0.280   652,200    -0.050   -15.15%          §
09/21/2011     0.350     0.350     0.325     0.330   253,310    -0.020    -5.71%          §
09/20/2011     0.355     0.355     0.345     0.350   111,250    -0.005    -1.41%          §
09/19/2011     0.390     0.390     0.350     0.355   140,650    -0.030    -7.79%          §
09/16/2011     0.370     0.385     0.365     0.385   135,000     0.015 4.05%
§
Zuletzt kam doch wie gewohnt nur positives von Matamec. Ich kann nicht glauben, das dann an einem Tag 15% durch das Marktumfeld verlorengehen.  

ich denke eher das der absturz etwas mit der charttechnischen situation, kombiniert mit der marktlage zu tun hat. ähnlich wie bei indo mines letzter woche..
652200 gehandelte Stück sind zwar ne ordentliche anzahl, aber kein wirklich großes volumen unter dem ein großer aussteigt(mMn).

gestern gabs auch schon wieder news:

Matamec on the Path to Precipitating Mixed Rare Earth Oxide

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Sept. 26, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce the successful completion of two bench-scale purification and precipitation tests for the production of a mixed rare earth concentrate from the pregnant leached solution ("PLS"). The PLS is produced in a simple two step process: by magnetic separation and by proprietary leaching of Kipawa's Eudialyte mineralization.

The early purification and precipitation tests have demonstrated the ability to separate the Kipawa rare earths selectively from impurities such as iron and zirconium. It has been shown that over 95% of the iron and zirconium in solution will precipitate and can be removed by adding limestone into the PLS. This purified PLS can then be further treated to completely precipitate out the rare earths from solution. These simple and effective purification and precipitation tests lead towards the production of a high purity mixed rare earth oxide (TREO).

Optimization of the purification and precipitation process is ongoing at SGS Mineral Services in Lakefield, Ontario with the goal of producing a high value mixed rare earth product.

André Gauthier, the president of Matamec, comments on the progress to date: "With the purification and precipitation circuit tested in the lab", he says, "the entire Kipawa processing circuit for treating our unique Eudialyte mineralization, from crushing and grinding, magnetic separation, lixiviation, to purification and precipitation, has been demonstrated. This is a major milestone and provides a solid metallurgical foundation for the Preliminary Economic Assessment study, which is due to be completed in October 2011."

Aline Leclerc, V-P Exploration (Geo.) and Eliza Ngai (P.Eng) are Matamec's Qualified Person for this press release.
------------------------------------

Wenn im Oktober die Ergebnisse der PEA veröffentlicht werden gibt es endlich Klartheit und erste Zahlen wie "günstig" die Methode von matamec wirklich ist...

gruß black.jack

gruß black.jack  

Wie bei vielen anderen Werte auch. Alle haben ziemlich viel angst zur Zeit. Ich würde eigentlich zusehen dass ich paar aktien noch günstig nachkaufe...  

ab dem 15ten november ist matamec auf eingen messen und konferenzen vertreten.
http://www.matamec.com/vns-site/...ar=start&m=11&y=2011#start

wäre doch schön wenn sie bis dahin die ergebnisse der scoping study veröffentlichen..

gruß black.jack  

Scoping Study (PEA) 80% Complete on Kipawa Deposit

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 3, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that the independent engineering firm Roche has completed 80% of the scoping study (preliminary economic assessment) for the heavy rare earths Kipawa deposit. The results are now being checked and validated and will be published in November.

Andre Gauthier, the President of Matamec, "is pleased with the progress and very encouraged by the preliminary results."

Andre Roy (Eng.), from the engineering firm Roche and Robert Crepeau (Eng.), an independent consultant for Matamec, are the qualified persons supervising the technical results according to NI 43-101 regulation.  

Pilot Plant Planned for Kipawa by Mid-2012
November 17, 2011 (Source: Marketwire) -- Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:MAT) has retained SGS Minerals Service in Lakefield, Ontario to operate the mineral processing and hydrometallurgical pilot plants for their flagship Kipawa project. The pilot plants are scheduled to be completed by mid-2012.

Bench scale metallurgical testwork for the treatment of Kipawa's unique Eudialyte ore has been ongoing at SGS Mineral Services since early 2010. A successful treatment process has been developed which includes two steps: 1) physical concentration by magnetic separation and 2) a proprietary direct room-temperature leach for recovering the Rare Earth Elements (REE).

The two pilot plants include: a mineral processing pilot plant that treats 15 tonnes of ore, and a 10-day hydrometallurgical pilot plant that operates at 10 kg/h. The size and duration of the pilot plants were established in collaboration with SGS. A deposit payment has been made and the pilot plants are scheduled to be completed by mid-2012. In addition, an extensive bench optimisation testwork program is in place so that the process flowsheet can be optimized before commencing the pilot plants.

"We have reached yet another important milestone on the Kipawa project," says André Gauthier, the president of Matamec. "With the positive metallurgical results we have achieved to date, these pilot plants will help validate our entire treatment flowsheet for producing a valuable mixed RE product. At this point we are completely confident in being able to fast track our project to production."

Aline Leclerc, V-P Exploration (Geo.) and Eliza Ngai (P.Eng) are Matamec's Qualified Persons for this press release.

http://www.raremetalblog.com/2011/11/...-kipawa-by-mid-2012.html#more  

Preliminary Economic Assessment (Scoping Study) on Kipawa Deposit is Progressing

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 6, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that the independent engineering firm Roche and the independent firm SGS Canada Inc. - geological group Geostat ("SGS Geostat ") has almost completed the preliminary economic assessment (scoping study) for the heavy rare earths Kipawa deposit. The study consists of 14 parts of which the last four need to be completed (see table below). The results are now being checked and validated and will be published soon......

http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=46648364&qm_symbol=MAT

gruß black.jack  

Toyota Tsusho Corp. and Matamec Explorations Inc. Sign a MoU Concerning the Kipawa Heavy Rare Earths Deposit

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 12, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that it has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding ("MoU") with Toyota Tsusho Corp. ("TTC"), the trading company of the Toyota Motor Group. TTC is interested in the Kipawa Heavy Rare Earths Deposit in order to secure a Heavy REE supply for the production and marketing of hybrid and electric vehicles.

The main intent of the MoU is to accelerate the production from the Kipawa Heavy Rare Earths Deposit. To achieve this goal, TTC and Matamec intend, based on the conditions provided herein, to fast track the development of the Kipawa Deposit in mutual collaboration. Technical assistance may be provided in association with TTC's chain of suppliers.

The final consideration of the MoU is to establish a joint venture ("JV"), only for the Kipawa Deposit, between TTC and Matamec (TTC: 49%-Mat: 51%), and to finalize an independent and definitive feasibility study ("FS") and, upon satisfactory results, TTC shall arrange the financing through to production of the Deposit of a mixed rare earths oxide concentrate at a proportion of the fair market price of the individual elements. For the costs of the FS, TTC shall contribute an amount based on up to 49% of MAT's average market capitalization during the 90 day period ending November 30, 2011.

The MoU is divided into three stages with a go/no go decision possible for both parties at the end of the two first stages:

   A due diligence period which may extend to the end of March 2012 subject to the delivery of the PEA ("preliminary economic assessment") report whereby TTC will evaluate, at its own cost, all of the Kipawa Deposit data and during which a JV and off-take agreement will be prepared.

   A second period, if TTC decides to pursue further after the initial due diligence, where TTC would provide FS expenditures incurred from December 2011 to March 2012, and to provide time for both parties to negotiate and receive internal approval for the JV, the off-take agreement and other agreements customary for this type of transaction.

   A JV agreement would then be established for the Kipawa Deposit between TTC (49%) and Matamec (51%) with an off-take agreement, the whole with the contribution from TTC based on up to 49% of MAT's market cap for the 90-day period ending on November 30, 2012.

During the FS, the parties will test the potential to increase the resources of the Kipawa Deposit. During summer 2011, Matamec explored by trenching the lateral extension of the Deposit and discovered at 300 meters west an outcrop with significant eudialyte mineralization.

Regarding the Zeus property excluding the Kipawa Deposit, Matamec has located numerous REE prospects and they are presently being explored as Surprise which contains high grade mineralization of zirconium, niobium, tantalum and REE with more than 60% of heavies. The potential for finding new discoveries remains excellent. In addition, TTC and Matamec have agreed to negotiate in good faith for TTC to participate in the exploration and development of all other REE prospects found on the Zeus property.

André Gauthier, President of Matamec, notes "the Company has discussed and has negotiated with many end-users since January 2009. After nearly two years, TTC and Matamec have reached a way to develop the potential of the Kipawa Heavy Rare Earths Deposit in a manner that meets the needs of both companies."  

Tolle News. Finanzierung gesichert, Kurs wird angeschoben werden, es geht alles schneller als anzunehmen war. Das sind mal gute Aussichten!  

bist du hier auch noch dabei?

finde die news auch klasse.. überrascht bin icch auch. war ja immernoch am warten auf die veröffentlichung der scoping study.. nuja da werden die japaner sicher schonmal reingeguckt haben;)

Der markt nimmt die news auch gut auf.. gestern ein nettes plus an einem roten tag und heute  nach weniger als ner halben stunde schon 1,125,417 shares gehandelt. +31% auf 0,42$!

gruß niels  

Hatte zu Jahresbeginn nach 230% Anstieg meinen Einsatz abgezogen und nur den Gewinn stehenlassen. Ist zwar leider komplett dahingeschmolzen, aber das kommt wieder. Spätestens wenn das JV mit Toyota eingegangen wird, wird Matamec in kurzer Zeit schon zum Produzenten aufsteigen und dann sollten diese Explorerkurse der Vergangenheit angehören. Mit Toyota als Partner steht genügend Geld zur Verfügung, um den Weg dorthin zu nehmen. Und warscheinlich auch genug Geld, um das ganze so schnell wie möglich zu schaffen.

Matamec hat nicht nur eine weltweit erstklassige HREE-Liegenschaft, sondern mit Toyota auch einen sehr guten Partner, der wiederum im Bereich der Hybrid- und Elektrofahrzeuge eine führende Rolle innehat. Die wissen genau, was sie für Ihre Produktion brauchen und starten hier sicher keinen Versuchsballon.

...und wir reden hier "nur" von den HREE auf dem Kipawa-Deposit. Daneben gibts ja noch weitere Projekte ala Zeus und wie sie alle heissen. Da können wir uns wohl bald nen Monokel bestellen. ;)  

dass ich mat noch im depot habe. es sollen ja noch wunder geschehen;)

mal schauen wo sich ein Einstieg anbietet..

Hier noch ein paar charttechnische Tatsachen:  

so ähnlich hatte ich das damals auch gemacht. jetzt, fast ein jahr später hoffe ich auf eine zweite schöne fahrt mit dem matamec express;)

gruß black.jack  

Friday, December 16, 2011
Matamec's Toyota Deal Could Be the New Reality for the Rare Earth Sector

Rare earth explorers could be in for a rude financial awakening as they try to secure off-take agreements for what they have in the ground, according to Matamec Explorations President Andre Gauthier.

http://www.raremetalblog.com/2011/12/...d%2FIBmE+%28RareMetalBlog+%29

mfg
Arriba1  

@arriba danke für den artikel. mMn sehr informativ!

zum artikel..
Kann die Positionen beider Seiten verstehen.
Der vorwurf das matamec hier sein flagship project unter wert vertickt wird wohl erstmal so stehen bleiben müssen. allerdings kann man in einem so frühen stadium des projekts wohl kaum einen besseren deal erwarten.
Ich finde die Richtung die Andre Gauthier einschlägt sehr interessant, spannend und ist auf jeden fall einen versuch wert.
die reaktionen der rare earth "szene" oder der anderen companies, fallen sehr kritisch aus. ob die sich wohl ärgern das sie diesen weg nicht zu erst gegangen sind??

Andre sagt das er im interesse der shareholder gehandelt hat. Der andere weg wäre eine extreme verwässerung und verspätung. seine argumente leuchten mir ein und überzeugen mich.
man sieht wieviel probleme die unternehmen haben die den "anderen" weg gegangen sind. zB Arafura hohe verwässerung immer wieder produktionsbeginn verschoben. oder lynas probleme mit ihrem plant..

allerdings könnte ich mir vorstellen, das nun das kurzfrstige potential von mat eingeschrenkt wird. ich hatte auf die pea spekuliert, könnte mir vorstellen das die jetzt zum größten teil eingepriesen ist.
es kam das jv. das hängt noch an verschiedenen "schritten" siehe folie 15 der neuen präsentation (http://www.matamec.com/vns-site/uploads/documents/..._dec16_2011.pdf)
sehe bis das alles geklärt ist nicht mehr das große potential und werde wohl erstmal gewinne mitnehmen. liegt aber auch an der gesamt situation des marktes (will meine cash quote wenn möglich etwas hochschrauben)
auch pinetree hat ein paar seiner shares verkauft (http://canadianinsider.com/node/7?menu_tickersearch=mat)

Aber denke das das hier ein auf solidem grund gebautes unternehmen ist, welches es auch wirklich in produktion schaffen wird.
ich werde matamec weiter beobachten und wohl auch wieder einsteigen.
man bedenke auch Zeus ist mehr als nur kipawa..

war nur meine meinung. was denkt ihr?
gruß black.jack  

schon mal angesehen?  Da wird auch bereits 2014-15  als  Produktionsstart genannt

The goal is for the Kipawa Deposit to be in production for 2014-15
•Technical assistance will be provided (critical to fast track the project)

http://www.matamec.com/vns-site/uploads/documents/...n_dec16_2011.pdf

Gruß
Arriba1  

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Dec. 30, 2011) - Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company")(TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that the stock option plan was amended at the last Board of Directors meeting. Now a maximum of 12,000,000 shares may be issued in accordance with the stock option plan. This increase has received the regulatory approval. Matamec set up the plan for the benefit of its directors, officers, employees and consultants providing services on a continual basis. To date, 9,559,300 stock options have been granted to the directors, officers, employees and consultants of the Company, of which 3,054,300 have been exercised.

www.matamec.com

mfg
und Guten Rutsch für Alle
Arriba1  

Expert Analysis

The Critical Metals Report Interview with Jon Hykawy (1/3/12) "[Toyota] recently said through Toyota Tsusho America Inc. that it's negotiating a joint venture with Matamec. We believe that the primary reason is the quality of Matamec's deposit and the simplicity and inexpensive nature of its metallurgy. Similar deposits have required very large quantities of high-concentration acid to dissolve the rare earths and to crack the eudialyte that was contained in these deposits and allow for the extraction of the rare earths. Matamec doesn't have that issue.

Toyota Tsusho established the value of its 49% stake in Matamec in November. Toyota will be responsible for financing the entire Kipawa project in southwest Quebec. Matamec will then pay back its 51% portion of that in a manner to be determined over time. That is a huge plus for the company because it pushes a $180M capital expenditure off into the future. That's always very positive for NPV. . .It also reduces the risk of the project considerably because a very large Japanese company will bring the required debt and equity to the table and be paid back out of cash flows in the future."  

Matamec PEA Study Shows Robust Economics for the Kipawa HREE Project

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 30, 2012) - Matamec Explorations Inc. (TSX VENTURE:MAT)(OTCQX:MHREF)

Kipawa PEA Highlights

Very strong project economics:

-$606 million before-tax value (NPV8%);
-36.9% before-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR);
-$2.8 Billion revenue;
-$1.67 Billion Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA");
-A before-tax payback period in 2.4 years;
-CAPEX: $315.8 million (including contingency of $63.2 million or 25%);
-OPEX: $89.2 million per year or $16.97 / kg mixed TREO concentrate;
-Mine life: 12.9 years.

Robust project:

-straightforward mineralogy, ideal deposit geometry, simple processing flow-sheet, most infrastructure in place;
-79.8% of resources in the indicated category;
-Mineral concentrate grade of 1.11% TREO;
-Overall REE recovery of 81%;
-Average annual production of 5,072 tonnes of mixed TREO concentrate.

Fast-tracking development: first production planned for Q2 2016, possibly sooner.

http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=47923803&qm_symbol=MAT  

Neue REE Funde bei Matamec!
"Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec") (TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce the discovery of new rare-earth (REE) bearing mineral occurrences as well as Surprise-type REE-Niobium-Tantalum mineralization extending over a 1 kilometre strike length in numerous outcrops between the Surprise and Surprise Nord showings. In addition, a new showing was defined 1.5 kilometres to the west of Surprise and named the Certitude REE-Y-Nb-Ta showing. An average of 3.2% TREO @ 27% HREO+Y2O3 is shown for the 2011 Surprise area samples (16 samples) and 5.1% TREO @ 36% HREO+Y2O3 for the new Certitude showing (13 samples) (in samples with > 0.5% TREO). Up to 3.6% Nb2O5 and 360 ppm Ta2O5 is found in some of the samples (see Figure 1 and Table 1 for details)."

Quelle: http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=48957391&qm_symbol=MAT


Neuer Mitarbeiter:
"Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company" - (TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that it has appointed an experienced metallurgist to its Kipawa REE-Y-Zr deposit development team.

Director of Metallurgy: Mr. Paul Blatter, Metallurgist

Mr. Paul Blatter has been appointed Director of Metallurgy for Matamec Explorations Inc. Mr. Blatter holds a B.Sc. in Metallurgical Engineering (1999) from McGill University in Montreal, Canada, and he is a member of l'Ordre des Ingénieurs du Québec.

He joins Matamec to lead the mill process design team during the feasibility study, construction phase, and, subsequently, the mill commissioning, start-up, and operation. The Company will use his strong ore processing background, his experience in R&D, and his improvement skills to maximise the value from a new and challenging ore. He will also take on new challenges associated with REE ore valuation."

Quelle: http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=49091197&qm_symbol=MAT


Und ebenfalls interessant:
"Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec") (TSX VENTURE:MAT) is pleased to announce that Anthony Mariano, world-renowned rare-earth specialist, has identified significant quantities of both fergusonite (a rare-earth, niobium and tantalum oxide: Y(Nb,Ta)O4) and xenotime (a rare earth phosphate: YbPO4) at the Surprise showing located on Matamec's fully owned HREE-Y-Zr Zeus property (Figure 1: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/mata_fig1_0305.pdf). This is particularly significant as xenotime is one of the few rare earth minerals for which a commercial chemical extraction process has been fully developed.

The Surprise showing is located 12 km east of Matamec's Kipawa deposit, in the Temiscamingue region of southern Quebec, Canada (see Figure 1). The showing was mechanically trenched and channel sampled in 2010, returning high rare earth values combined with remarkably high heavy rare earth enrichment, as well as exceptional niobium and tantalum values (best interval is 2m @ 5.3% TREO (67% HeavyREO + Y2O3/TREO), 3.6% ZrO2, 3.9% Nb2O5 and 630ppm Ta2O5 (see August 19, 2010 press release)). A regional soil survey followed (see September 2, 2010 press release). Anthony Mariano then visited and collected samples from the site in May 2011. Samples were photographed and then characterized via transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (including backscattered images and element mapping), short-wave UV and cathodoluminescence. Since then, numerous REE-Nb-Ta outcrops have been discovered in the region, including the new Certitude showing located 1.5km to the west of the Surprise showing (see March 1, 2012 press release)."

Quelle: http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=49055539&qm_symbol=MAT


So langsam dürfte der Markt auch mal wieder ein paar Dollars in Matamec stecken. Immerhin ist dank Toyota die Finanzierung gesichert.  

Matamec Explorations Inc. ("Matamec" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:MAT)(OTCQX:MHREF) is pleased to announce that the mineral processing pilot plant operations for its flagship Kipawa rare earth project have commenced.

Press Release Highlights:

   Pilot plant operations have commenced in an independent laboratory to validate previous test results, but in a continuous manner and on a larger scale;

   The product of the pilot plant, the concentrate, will be used for the second pilot work scheduled to commence in early Q3 2012.

The mineral processing pilot plant was successfully commissioned last week at SGS Minerals Services. The plant consists of crushing and grinding circuits, followed by 2 stages of magnetic separation. The two main goals of the pilot plant are to validate the process on a larger scale and to generate sufficient feed for downstream hydrometallurgical work.

In the course of the next 3 weeks, 15 tonnes of ore will be treated continuously to produce approximately 5 tonnes of mineral concentrate. This mineral concentrate will be fed into the hydrometallurgical pilot plant to generate a mixed rare earth concentrate final product. The hydrometallurgical pilot work is scheduled to commence in early Q3 2012.

"The processing of rare earth ore is the biggest obstacle when developing a rare earth project." says André Gauthier, the president of Matamec, "Matamec and the SGS technical team have worked diligently for more than 2 years to develop a new process that is both simple and low cost. We are extremely pleased to successfully progress into the pilot plant phase in the development of Kipawa. Now with the added expertise provided by Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) network, Matamec is geared to fast-track the Kipawa rare earth project to production."

Link: http://tmx.quotemedia.com/...le.php?newsid=51766565&qm_symbol=MAT