Quantum Announces Airborne Geophysical Survey of Elk Creek Carbonatite
December 07 2010 - 2:05AM
Marketwired
Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. (TSX VENTURE: QRE)(PINK
SHEETS: QREDF)(FRANKFURT;BR3) ("Quantum", the "Company") is pleased
to announce that it has retained the services of Fugro Airborne
Surveys Corp. of Ottawa, Ontario for a high-resolution airborne
gravity and magnetic survey of the Elk Creek Carbonatite, located
in southeast Nebraska.
The Elk Creek Carbonatite is an intrusive complex of carbonatite
and related rocks, and is host to significant niobium and rare
earth element (REE) mineralization. The property was held under an
option agreement during the 1970's and 1980's by Molycorp Inc., at
which time considerable exploration of the project took place. At
least 113 core holes were completed within the outline of the
seven-kilometre-diameter geophysical anomaly, with 25 holes
completed within a core zone, where high-grade niobium
mineralization was identified. Based upon the exploration a
historic resource estimate of "39.4 million tons of 0.82 per cent
Nb2O5, and is open to the north, west and at depth", was prepared
by Molycorp Inc. for this core zone (Molycorp internal memorandum,
Feb. 5, 1986).
In addition to the historic core zone of niobium mineralization,
anomalous niobium and REE mineralization was identified during the
wide-spaced exploration drilling of the property by Molycorp Inc.
Highlights include:
-- Hole EC-40, northeast of the Core Zone, intersected 24.4 metres of 0.65
per cent Nb2O5, and 0.31 per cent rare earth oxides (REO);
-- Hole EC-55, within the Western Anomaly, intersected 192 m of 1.31 per
cent REO's, including 33.5 m of 2.09 per cent REO's; and
-- Hole EC-93, within the Eastern Anomaly, intersected 140.2 m of 2.19 per
cent REO's, including 18.3 m of 3.12 per cent REO's.
The Elk Creek Carbonatite is defined by an oval-shaped magnetic
and gravity anomaly approximately 7 kilometres in diameter, making
it one of the largest carbonatite complexes known worldwide.
Associated with the carbonatite and carbonatite breccias are lesser
amounts of basalt, lamprophyre, and syenite. These Late
Proterozoic-age intrusive rocks are situated approximately 200
metres below an almost flat-lying cover of Pennsylvanian-aged
marine carbonate and shale.
It is anticipated that the airborne survey will be initiated
within the next few weeks and will take four to five days to
complete. The survey represents the first modern geophysical
methods applied to the Elk Creek Project since the late 1970's to
early 1980's, and represent the first step in the exploration of
the project by Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. Data from the
survey will be used to assist with the planning of the ongoing
exploration and development of the project. A total of 1,160 line
kilometers will be completed, with 200-m spaced lines.
All niobium and rare earth element drill results, as well as
estimates of historic resources predate, and are therefore
non-compliant with, National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101)
reporting standards. The company is not treating the historical
estimates as current mineral resources or reserves. The company has
not undertaken any independent investigation of the drill results
or resource estimates, nor has it independently analyzed the
results of the previous exploration work in order to verify the
resources, and therefore the historic drill results and estimates
should not be relied upon. The company believes that these
historical drill results and estimates provide a conceptual
indication of the potential of mineral occurrences within the
project, and are relevant to the ongoing exploration.
About Carbonatites: Carbonatites are very rare and unique rock
types, with approximately 500 complexes known worldwide. Often
containing a variety of exotic minerals, carbonatites have been
known to produce economic concentrations of rare earth elements,
niobium, copper, iron, apatite, vermiculite and fluorite; with
significant byproducts which may include barite, zircon, tantalum,
gold, silver, uranium, nickel and platinum group elements.
Qualified Person: All field and office exploration is being
conducted under the supervision of Mr. John Gorham, P. Geo., of
Dahrouge Geological Consulting Ltd., a qualified person under
National Instrument 43-101. He has read and approved the technical
disclosure contained in this news release.
On Behalf of the Board,
Peter Dickie, President, CEO
Cautionary note: This report contains forward looking
statements, particularly those regarding cash flow, capital
expenditures and investment plans. Resource estimates, unless
specifically noted, are considered speculative. The company has
filed a National Instrument 43-101 report on the Archie Lake
property, and an historic NI 43-101 report on the Elk Creek
project. Any and all other resource or reserve estimates are
historical in nature, and should not be relied upon. By their
nature, forward looking statements involve risk and uncertainties
because they relate to events and depend on factors that will or
may occur in the future. Actual results may vary depending upon
exploration activities, industry production, commodity demand and
pricing, currency exchange rates, and, but not limited to, general
economic factors. Cautionary Note to US investors: The U.S.
Securities and Exchange Commission specifically prohibits the use
of certain terms, such as "reserves" unless such figures are based
upon actual production or formation tests and can be shown to be
economically and legally producible under existing economic and
operating conditions.
"Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services
Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX
Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release."
Contacts: Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. Peter Dickie
President and CEO (604) 669-9330 (604) 669-9335 (FAX)
www.QuantumRareEarth.com
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