Verde AgriTech Ltd (TSX: “NPK”)
(“
Verde” or the “
Company”) is
pleased to announce that 4,708 hectares of its mineral concessions
are prospective for Magnetic Rare Earths (“
MRE”)
mineralization. MREs, which in Verde’s find include
Praseodymium (“
Pr”), Neodymium
(“
Nd”), Dysprosium (“
Dy”), and
Therbium (“
Tb”), are in high demand due to their
critical role in the energy transition. These elements are
essential components in the production of high-performance magnets
used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other green
technologies, positioning Verde as a strategic player in supporting
the global shift towards renewable energy solutions.
“We are thrilled by the potential we have
uncovered in the Magnetic Rare Earth elements and are committed to
conducting thorough work to fully understand their scope and
application. Verde remains focused on its fertilizer business and
will investigate alternatives to generate shareholder value from
those concessions,” confirmed Cristiano Veloso, Verde’s Founder and
CEO.
Verde has initiated the re-assaying of select
historical drill holes within a geological formation previously
explored for phosphate. This strategic decision aligns with
evolving market dynamics in the rare earth elements
(“REE”) sector, driving Verde to reevaluate
historical exploration data with a new focus on potential REE
mineralization. As global demand for REEs intensifies, particularly
due to their essential role in renewable energy technologies, Verde
aims to further investigate the presence of high-value magnetic
rare earths within its concessions.
The Company reanalyzed 15 drill holes in the
mineralized zone of the Nau de Guerra Target and results
included1:
Hole |
From (m) |
To (m) |
Thickness (m) |
TREO2 (ppm) |
MREO3 (ppm) |
Nd2O3 (ppm) |
Pr6O11 (ppm) |
Dy2O3 (ppm) |
Tb4O7 (ppm) |
AP-ND-02 |
0 |
43 |
43 |
3,968 |
969 |
728 |
208 |
27 |
6 |
0 |
15 |
15 |
5,217 |
1,348 |
1,015 |
287 |
38 |
8 |
AP-ND-03 |
0 |
74 |
74 |
3,181 |
726 |
542 |
157 |
22 |
5 |
17 |
30 |
13 |
6,419 |
1,458 |
1,088 |
316 |
45 |
10 |
AP-ND-04 |
0 |
40 |
40 |
2,599 |
593 |
444 |
128 |
17 |
4 |
5 |
25 |
20 |
3,004 |
702 |
526 |
150 |
21 |
5 |
AP-ND-05 |
0 |
69 |
69 |
3,526 |
839 |
628 |
182 |
23 |
5 |
9 |
26 |
17 |
5,690 |
1,456 |
1,092 |
313 |
40 |
10 |
AP-ND-06 |
0 |
43 |
43 |
3,058 |
730 |
547 |
157 |
21 |
5 |
0 |
21 |
21 |
3,633 |
880 |
658 |
188 |
27 |
6 |
AP-ND-07 |
0 |
31 |
31 |
4,024 |
968 |
728 |
208 |
26 |
6 |
0 |
26 |
26 |
4,537 |
1,092 |
822 |
236 |
28 |
7 |
AP-ND-08 |
0 |
39 |
39 |
4,594 |
1,141 |
854 |
248 |
32 |
8 |
AP-ND-09 |
0 |
78 |
78 |
3,109 |
717 |
535 |
156 |
21 |
5 |
20 |
34 |
14 |
6,063 |
1,398 |
1,039 |
312 |
38 |
9 |
AP-ND-11 |
0 |
38 |
38 |
3,386 |
817 |
615 |
174 |
23 |
5 |
0 |
11 |
11 |
4,035 |
1,036 |
780 |
215 |
33 |
7 |
AP-ND-12 |
0 |
22 |
22 |
3,589 |
838 |
630 |
181 |
22 |
5 |
AP-ND-13 |
0 |
17 |
17 |
3,432 |
779 |
585 |
170 |
20 |
5 |
AP-ND-14 |
0 |
65 |
65 |
4,209 |
975 |
729 |
210 |
29 |
7 |
20 |
50 |
30 |
6,012 |
1,419 |
1,061 |
306 |
42 |
10 |
AP-ND-15 |
0 |
57 |
57 |
3,184 |
703 |
525 |
153 |
20 |
4 |
12 |
32 |
20 |
4,000 |
940 |
704 |
203 |
27 |
6 |
AP-ND-16 |
0 |
49 |
49 |
3,591 |
878 |
661 |
187 |
25 |
6 |
2 |
22 |
20 |
5,014 |
1,317 |
994 |
277 |
37 |
8 |
AP-ND-17 |
0 |
19 |
19 |
3,445 |
775 |
577 |
172 |
21 |
5 |
2 |
16 |
14 |
4,102 |
923 |
687 |
206 |
25 |
6 |
__________________
1 Oxide Conversion Factors: the conversion
factors for rare earth oxides represent the multiplier used to
convert the elements into their oxide forms. The conversion factors
are as follows: Cerium Oxide (CeO₂) = 1.2284; Dysprosium Oxide
(Dy₂O₃) = 1.1477; Erbium Oxide (Er₂O₃) = 1.1435; Europium Oxide
(Eu₂O₃) = 1.1579; Gadolinium Oxide (Gd₂O₃) = 1.1526; Holmium Oxide
(Ho₂O₃) = 1.1455; Lanthanum Oxide (La₂O₃) = 1.1728; Lutetium Oxide
(Lu₂O₃) = 1.1372; Neodymium Oxide (Nd₂O₃) = 1.1664; Praseodymium
Oxide (Pr₆O₁₁) = 1.2082; Samarium Oxide (Sm₂O₃) = 1.1596; Terbium
Oxide (Tb₄O₇) = 1.1762; Thulium Oxide (Tm₂O₃) = 1.1421; Yttrium
Oxide (Y₂O₃) = 1.2699; Ytterbium Oxide (Yb₂O₃) = 1.1387.
2 Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) refers to the
sum of the oxides of rare earth elements, which include: Lanthanum
Oxide (La₂O₃), Cerium Oxide (CeO₂), Praseodymium Oxide (Pr₆O₁₁),
Neodymium Oxide (Nd₂O₃), Samarium Oxide (Sm₂O₃), Europium Oxide
(Eu₂O₃), Gadolinium Oxide (Gd₂O₃), Terbium Oxide (Tb₄O₇),
Dysprosium Oxide (Dy₂O₃), Holmium Oxide (Ho₂O₃), Erbium Oxide
(Er₂O₃), Thulium Oxide (Tm₂O₃), Ytterbium Oxide (Yb₂O₃), Lutetium
Oxide (Lu₂O₃), and Yttrium Oxide (Y₂O₃).
3 Magnetic Rare Earth Oxides (MREO) refers to
the sum of the oxides of rare earth elements with magnetic
properties, which include: Praseodymium Oxide (Pr₆O₁₁), Neodymium
Oxide (Nd₂O₃), Terbium Oxide (Tb₄O₇), and Dysprosium Oxide
(Dy₂O₃).
Those results were noteworthy for the following
reasons:
- high grade TREO
- very high grade MRE
- mineralization proximity to surface with minimal
overburden
- excellent location close to Verde’s existing operations
Upon its preliminary success, the Company
decided to assess if ionic absorption clay mineralization was
present. Ionic absorption clay rare earths deposits are the gold
standard of REEs mining. These deposits have the industry’s lowest
OPEX and CAPEX. Verde sent samples to SGS lab, and the results
confirmed the presence of ionic absorption clay mineralization, yet
non-optimized recovery as detailed below:
Non-optimized results for Magnetic
REO
|
MREO(ppm) |
Nd2O3(ppm) |
Pr6O11(ppm) |
Dy2O3(ppm) |
Tb4O7(ppm) |
Head grade |
1,187 |
893 |
258 |
32 |
7 |
Leached grade |
399 |
302 |
84 |
11 |
3 |
Recovery (%) |
34% |
34% |
33% |
35% |
34% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ionic absorption clay mineralization is
confirmed when metallurgical recovery is achieved through ammonium
sulfate leaching tests, involving low-temperature,
atmospheric-pressure leaching followed by the selective
precipitation of REE, ensuring efficient extraction with minimal
impurities. In Verde’s case, samples were leached using a 0.5 M
ammonium sulfate solution at pH 4 for 30 minutes under ambient
conditions, demonstrating the effectiveness of this method.
Once ionic absorption clay mineralization is
confirmed it is also crucial to explore leaching contaminants which
would potentially increase costs. Again, results were very positive
with extremely low concentration of any contaminants as below:
IMPURITY |
Wt % |
Ca (Calcium) |
0.012 |
Al (Aluminium) |
0.008 |
Ni (Nickel) |
0.0005 |
Fe (Iron) |
0.0005 |
U (Uranium) |
<0.000004 |
Th (Thorium) |
0.00006 |
|
|
Verde has 3,640 meters of historical diamond
drilling covering the same geological formation where those
outstanding results were uncovered. The Company has resampled those
drill cores under supervision of independent Qualified Person
(“QP”) João Batista Guimarães Teixeira. The
Company expects to report those results shortly and, if warranted
by results, will undertake a resource calculation.
“No matter how exciting this discovery is, it
will not distract Verde from realizing its potential as a leading
low carbon sustainable Fertilizer supplier. The evaluation work is
being cost efficiently undertaken with a clear proposition to
generate shareholder value without generating any undue distraction
to our team,” stated Cristiano Veloso, Verde’s Founder and CEO.
Qualified Person
The information in this announcement that
relates to exploration results is based on information reviewed,
collated and fairly represented by QP Dr. João Batista Guimarães
Teixeira. Dr. Teixeira holds a PhD in Geosciences from Pennsylvania
State University (USA), an MSc in Economic Geology from the Federal
University of Bahia (Brazil), and a BSc in Geology from the
University of São Paulo (Brazil). He has held key roles at VALE's
exploration branch, DOCEGEO, including geologist, senior geologist,
and Project Manager, leading projects on geological mapping,
drilling, and economic evaluation of iron deposits at Serra dos
Carajás, gold, base metals, and bauxite exploration in the Amazon,
and copper exploration in high-grade terrains across Brazil. In
1998, he joined the Metallogeny Group at the Federal University of
Bahia, first as an invited researcher and later as an associate
professor. Currently, he is an independent consulting geologist
specializing in gold, iron, and nickel deposits, with numerous
publications in international journals such as Mineralium Deposita,
Economic Geology, Precambrian Research, and Ore Geology Reviews.
Dr. Teixeira has been a member of the Association of Professional
Geoscientists of Ontario (APGO) since 2007 and became a Fellow of
the Society of Economic Geologists in 2014. Dr. Teixeira is a
recognized Qualified Person (QP) under Canada’s NI 43-101
standards.
About Verde AgriTech
Verde Agritech is dedicated to advancing
sustainable agriculture through the innovation of specialty
multi-nutrient potassium fertilizers. Our mission is to increase
agricultural productivity, enhance soil health, and significantly
contribute to environmental sustainability. Utilizing our unique
position in Brazil, we harness proprietary technologies to develop
solutions that not only meet the immediate needs of farmers but
also address global challenges such as food security and climate
change. Our commitment to carbon capture and the production of
eco-friendly fertilizers underscores our vision for a future where
agriculture contributes positively to the health of our planet.
For more information on how we are leading the
way towards sustainable agriculture and climate change mitigation
in Brazil, visit our website at https://verde.ag/en/home/.
Company Updates
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Subscribe at the following link:
http://cloud.marketing.verde.ag/InvestorsSubscription
Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking
Statements
All Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resources
estimates reported by the Company were estimated in accordance with
the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute
of Mining, Metallurgy, and Petroleum Definition Standards (May 10,
2014). These standards differ significantly from the requirements
of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral Resources
which are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic
viability.
This document contains "forward-looking
information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation
and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United
States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This
information and these statements, referred to herein as
"forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this
document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or
future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions,
expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but
are not limited to, statements with respect to:
- the estimated amount and grade of Mineral Resources and Mineral
Reserves;
- the estimated amount of CO2 removal per ton of rock;
- the PFS representing a viable development option for the
Project;
- estimates of the capital costs of constructing mine facilities
and bringing a mine into production, of sustaining capital and the
duration of financing payback periods;
- the estimated amount of future production, both produced and
sold;
- timing of disclosure for the PFS and recommendations from the
Special Committee;
- the Company’s competitive position in Brazil and demand for
potash; and,
- estimates of operating costs and total costs, net cash flow,
net present value and economic returns from an operating mine.
Any statements that express or involve
discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs,
plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance
(often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects",
"anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages",
"assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or
variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or
results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur
or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar
expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be
forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements are based on
Verde's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various
assumptions made by them and information currently available to
them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but
generally these assumptions include, but are not limited to:
- the presence of and continuity of resources and reserves at the
Project at estimated grades;
- the estimation of CO2 removal based on the chemical and
mineralogical composition of assumed resources and reserves;
- the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock
conforming to sampled results; including the quantities of water
and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated
during mining operations;
- the capacities and durability of various machinery and
equipment;
- the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at
estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times;
- currency exchange rates;
- Super Greensand® and K Forte® sales prices, market size and
exchange rate assumed;
- appropriate discount rates applied to the cash flows in the
economic analysis;
- tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining
operation;
- the availability of acceptable financing under assumed
structure and costs;
- anticipated mining losses and dilution;
- reasonable contingency requirements;
- success in realizing proposed operations;
- receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable
terms; and
- the fulfilment of environmental assessment commitments and
arrangements with local communities.
- the development of the project is contingent upon the receipt
of necessary governmental permits and approvals, which may be
delayed or withheld. Additionally, evolving environmental
regulations and obligations may impose additional costs and
operational limitations.
Although management considers these assumptions
to be reasonable based on information currently available to it,
they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are
made assuming the correctness of other forward looking statements,
such as statements of net present value and internal rates of
return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking
statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also
prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs
will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable
over the relevant period.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements
involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and
specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections
and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that
assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers
not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as
a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to
differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives,
expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions
expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors
may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and
estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but
specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to
variations in the mineral content within the material identified as
Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves from that predicted;
variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical
characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure
is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that
will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being
different from what is expected to be encountered during mining
operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being
different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to
fluctuations in the Brazilian Real relative to the Canadian dollar;
increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or
unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work
force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms
of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being
greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to
changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in
project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating
to receipt of regulatory approvals; delays in stakeholder
negotiations; changes in regulations applying to the development,
operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently
exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which Verde
operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional
risks described in Verde's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR
in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) for the year ended December
31, 2021. Verde cautions that the foregoing list of factors that
may affect future results is not exhaustive.
When relying on our forward-looking statements
to make decisions with respect to Verde, investors and others
should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other
uncertainties and potential events. Verde does not undertake to
update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that
may be made from time to time by Verde or on our behalf, except as
required by law.
For additional information please contact:
Cristiano Veloso, Chief
Executive Officer and Founder
Tel: +55 (31) 3245 0205; Email:
investor@verde.ag
www.verde.ag | www.investor.verde.ag
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