Commerce Resources Announces Significant Increase in Indicated Mineral Resource for the Ashram Rare Earth & Fluorspar Deposit, Quebec

Rhea-AI Summary

Commerce Resources has announced a significant update to the mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Ashram Rare Earth & Fluorspar Deposit in Quebec. The indicated resource tonnage has increased by 164%, now standing at 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF2, with inferred resources at 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF2. The deposit shows high percentages of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), important for magnet production.

The updated MRE includes data from 28,783 meters of diamond drilling and incorporates three monazite-mineralized zones. The geological model suggests a continuous mineralized carbonatite body, enhancing the project's extraction potential. A forthcoming niobium drill program aims to explore further resource potential.

This update reinforces Ashram's status as a major rare earth element (REE) deposit, with high strategic value due to its favorable element distribution. The company plans ongoing work to unlock the deposit's full potential.

Positive

• Indicated resource tonnage increased by 164% to 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF2.
• Inferred resource stands at 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF2.
• High percentages of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) in the deposit.
• Continuous mineralized carbonatite body enhances extraction potential.
• Three monazite-mineralized zones incorporated in the updated MRE.
• Ongoing niobium drill program to explore further resource potential.
• Updated MRE based on 28,783 meters of diamond drilling.
• Potential to become a major source of magnet-feed REE supply for North American and European markets.

Negative

• Additional metallurgical studies required for some rare earth element-bearing lithologies (BD-Zone) not included in the MRE.
• High operational and transportation costs considered in the pit design for potential extraction.
• Pit optimization relies on several economic parameters that are conceptual in nature.
• The project’s economic viability depends on market prices for REEs, which can fluctuate.

Highlights:

• The updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") considers 28,783 meters of diamond drilling to increase the Indicated Resource tonnage by 164%:
  • Indicated Resource: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO^ǂand 6.6% CaF₂, and
  • Inferred Resource: 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF₂.
• Contains a high percentage of the magnet feed rare earth elements neodymium (Nd) & praseodymium (Pr), exceeding that of several active global producers:
  • (Nd₂O₃ + Pr₂O₃) / TREO ("NdPr") of 21.2% (indicated) and 21.4% (inferred)
• The geological model interprets a single, continuous, mineralized carbonatite body outcropping at surface, with a footprint approximately 700 m along strike, over 300 m across, and 600 m deep as defined by the current resource estimate and remains open at depth.
• The MRE incorporates three monazite-mineralized zones (A-Zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)). Other rare earth element-bearing lithologies such as the BD-Zone require additional metallurgical studies and were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project.
• A forthcoming niobium drill program is set to investigate additional resource potential.

^ǂ TREO = sum of all lanthanide oxides + yttrium oxide

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / May 22, 2024 / Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)(FSE:D7H0)(OTCQX:CMRZF) (the "Company" or "Commerce") is pleased to announce an updated mineral resource estimate ("MRE") for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit (the "Ashram Deposit" or "Ashram"). The Ashram Deposit, wholly owned by the Company, is located in northeastern Quebec, Canada, approximately 130 kilometres south of the community of Kuujjuaq.

The updated MRE for the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit firmly establishes it as a globally significant rare earth element ("REE") deposit, and one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite REE deposits in the world: 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF₂ (indicated), and 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF₂ (inferred), at a cut-off of $287 Net Metal Return (NMR) per tonne ⁽⁷⁾.

Ashram also continues to demonstrate very high NdPr distributions (i.e., percent of neodymium plus praseodymium oxide of the TREO) at 21.2% NdPr (indicated) and 21.4% NdPr (inferred), exceeding that of several active global producers. The favourable distribution starts at surface, allowing these high value elements to be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario and thereby, enhancing the project's strategic value and operational efficiency. This enrichment in the magnet feed REEs also extends to dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

The MRE update underscores the Ashram Deposit's potential as a long-term, sustainable source of critical minerals, vital for the evolving technology and energy sectors. The Company remains committed to advancing the project, with ongoing work to further delineate the deposit's full potential, and a planned niobium drill program poised to unlock additional value.

Chris Grove, President and CEO of Commerce Resources, stated: "We are very excited by this updated mineral resource estimate for the Ashram Deposit, as it positions the Company to become the front-runner in providing a long-term source of magnet-feed REE supply to the North American and European markets. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world. This milestone will be the new basis of future economic and development studies that further de-risk and unlock the development potential of this asset. In addition to the Ashram Deposit, the Eldor carbonatite remains highly prospective for a number of high value commodities, including niobium and phosphate minerals."

Patrik Schmidt, Company Vice President of Exploration, comments: "We are thrilled with this updated resource estimate, which continues to demonstrate the consistency of the magnet-feed REE enrichment throughout the Ashram Deposit. This resource has firmly established Ashram as one of the largest monazite-mineralized carbonatite rare earth deposits globally and remains open at depth."

The primary objective of the mineral resource update was to increase the confidence of resources from the inferred category to the indicated category to support economic and development studies. This conversion was highly successful with an 164% increase in the indicated resource category compared to the prior MRE completed in 2012 (see news release dated March 6, 2012).

The 2024 MRE was completed in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 with an Effective Date of April 4th, 2024, and is based on 117 diamond drill holes totaling 28,783 metres of NQ, HQ and BTW size drill core.

Table 1: NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Statement for Ashram Deposit

Cut-off NMR ($/t)		287
Category		Indicated	Inferred
Tonnes	Mt	73.2	131.1
Total TREO	%	1.89	1.91
NdPr		21.2	21.4
TbDy		0.7	0.5
La2O3	ppm	4,829	4,969
Ce2O3		8,753	8,933
Pr2O3		907	927
Nd2O3		3,112	3,162
Sm2O3		412	385
Eu2O3		98	87
Gd2O3		223	195
Tb2O3		24	19
Dy2O3		102	73
Ho2O3		14	10
Er2O3		31	21
Tm2O3		3	2
Yb2O3		18	13
Lu2O3		2	2
Y2O3		419	280
Fluorspar (CaF2)	%	6.6	4.0

(a) TREO is sum of lanthanides (as oxides) + yttrium oxide
(b) NdPr distribution calculated as (Nd₂O₃ + Pr₂O₃) / TREO x 100
(c) CaF2 calculated from fluorine assay using factor of 2.055 (F to CaF2). Assumes all fluorine is contained within the mineral fluorite ("fluorspar").
(d) Cut-off expressed as NMR ($)/t only considers payable elements La-Nd-Pr-Tb-Dy.
(e) TbDy distribution calculated as (Tb₂O₃ + Dy₂O₃) / TREO x 100.
(f) Prices shown are in CAD
(g) Differences may occur in totals due to rounding.

Notes for Resource Table:

1. Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they have not demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this MRE are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.
2. Resources are presented as undiluted and in-situ for an open-pit scenario and are considered to have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. The constraining pit shell was developed using an overall pit slope of 52 degrees, and the resulting strip ratio is 2.7:1.
3. 3D modelling was prepared using Leapfrog Geo v.2023.2.1 with a database of 213 surface drill holes, 6 surface channels and 32,962 samples, of which 117 drill holes and a total of 18,495 assays were used to interpolate the block model mineralized zones.
4. Resources encompass three REE-bearing zones (A-zone, B-Zone, and Breccia (Classic)), each defined by wireframes. A value of zero grade was applied in cases of core not assayed.
5. High-grade capping was done on the composited assay data and established on a per-zone basis for each element.
6. Density values were interpolated using Ordinary Kriging for four rock types in the geological model, including the three mineralized rock types (A-Zone, B-Zones and Breccia (Classic)), with density averages of 3.08 g/cm³ for A-Zone, 3.00 g/cm³ for B-Zone, 3.05 g/cm³ for Breccia (Classic) and 2.92 g/cm³ for BD-Zone. Surrounding country rock lithologies were given a fixed density value from their range median values: carbonatites ranging from 2.85 to 2.97 g/cm³, Metavolcanic = 2.84g/cm³ and Lamprophyre = 2.97g/cm³." Grade model resource estimation was interpolated from drill hole data using an Ordinary Kriging interpolation method in a sub-blocked block model using blocks measuring 5 m x 5 m x 5 m in size and sub-blocks down to 1.25 m x 1.25 m x 1.25 m.
7. The MRE cut-off, expressed as a Net Metal Return (NMR) value, was calculated to be CAD154/tonne, which is based on a 3-year annualized average (2021, 2022, and 2023) for the five payable oxides^a; (USD1.25/kg for La₂O₃, USD95/kg for Pr₂O_3, USD95/kg for Nd₂O₃, USD1,500/kg for Tb₂O₃, and USD375/kg for Dy₂O₃), estimated metal recoveries, and operating costs for mining, processing, transportation and G&A. A cut-off of CAD287/tonne is considered as the base case for the MRE and is guided by reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe. The cut-off grade considers a CAD:USD exchange rate of 1.30
   (a) Sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024)
8. Inferred mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 200 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is shown. Indicated mineral resources are constrained to areas where drill spacing is less than 70 metres, and where reasonable geological and grade continuity is displayed
9. An open-pit mining method was considered for the MRE and a conceptual pit shell to constrain the resources was developed using Hexagon's MinePlan 3D software, Version 16.05.
10. Calculations used metric units (metre, tonne). Metric tonnages have been rounded, and any discrepancies in total amounts are due to rounding errors.
11. CIM definitions and guidelines (2019) for Mineral Resource Estimates have been followed.
12. The QPs are unaware of any known environmental, permitting, legal, title-related, taxation, socio-political or marketing issues or any other relevant issues that could materially affect this MRE.

Table 2 and Figure 1 illustrate the sensitivity of the 2024 Ashram Deposit MRE with respect to various Net Metal Return cut-offs for a potential open-pit scenario with reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The figures provided in these tables should not be interpreted as a mineral resource statement. The selected cut-off NMR for the base case is 287 $/tonne with the revenue factor 1 pit shell constraint.

Table 2: Mineral resource sensitivity analysis based on NMR $/t cut-off

Figure 1: Ashram mineral resource sensitivity analysis - grade-tonnage curve with base case NMR $287/t cut-off

Figure 2: Pit shell and mineralized footprint of Ashram's mineral resource estimate in plan, highlighting the deposit scale and drilling post-2012 MRE used to improve the Mineral Resource Estimate

Figure 3: Geological model cross-section of the Ashram Deposit highlighting carbonatite lithological domains considered in the mineral resource estimate (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). Note the BD-Zone (not shown) is currently not part of the MRE.

Figure 4: Cross-section showing Ashram indicated and inferred classifications within block model.

Figure 5: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross section displaying NMR ($/t) by block.

Figure 6: Ashram mineral resource block model - cross-section displaying TREO (%) distribution by block.

Figure 7: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying NdPr distribution.

Figure 8: Cross-section through the Ashram mineral resource block model displaying TbDy distribution.

Figure 2 shows the surface projection of the pit shell and mineralized footprint of the Ashram deposit, with its lithological domains (A-Zone, B-Zone, Breccia (Classic)). It also includes the BD-Zone, another REE-bearing lithology that requires additional metallurgical studies due to their different REE-bearing mineralogy. These were therefore not considered in this MRE but represent potential upside to the project. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the monazite-mineralized lithologies that form the basis of the updated mineral resource estimate. The geological model is supported by drill holes through to the end of the 2022 fall program (hole EC22-207). Multiple cross-sections displaying parameters of the resource block model are presented in Figures 4 - 8. Figure 4 displays the indicated and inferred resource breakout in the block model which is shown in subsequent figures as dashed contour lines. Figure 5 shows the NMR ($/t) distribution within the deposit, with Figure 6 showing the respective TREO (%) distribution within the same block model slice. Figure 7 and Figure 8 are cross-sections of the magnet feed REE-oxide ratios (NdPr and TbDy, respectively) within the block model. Figure 7 shows high NdPr near surface, making it a high-value target which continues to be favourable throughout the deposit. The TbDy distribution shown in Figure 8 is overlapping with the high NdPr near surface but is not as elevated at depth.

Pit Optimization
A pit design was developed which constrains the pit shell to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction. The pit geometry considered an overall pit slope of 52 degrees based on previous geotechnical studies. The pit design considered 3-year annualized average pricing (2021, 2022, and 2023) for five payable oxides (USD1.25/kg for La₂O₃, USD95/kg for Pr₂O_3, USD95/kg for Nd₂O₃, USD1,500/kg for Tb₂O₃, and USD375/kg for Dy₂O₃), which were converted to Canadian Dollars using an exchange rate of 1.30 CAD:USD. The pricing was sourced from Adamas Intelligence's Rare Earth Pricing Quarterly Outlook (Q1 2024).

The pit optimization considered the following combined metallurgical recoveries for the concentrator and hydromet plant: 60.5% for La₂O₃, 58.9% for Pr₂O_3, 59.0% for Nd₂O₃, 42.7% for Tb₂O₃, and 38.6% for Dy₂O₃. A mining cost of CAD8/tonne (plus an incremental mining cost with depth of CAD0.02/tonne for every 10m of depth), variable operating costs of CAD60/tonne milled for the concentrator, CAD3,000/tonne of mixed REO product for the hydromet plant, and CAD7,700/tonne of product for the separation plant, fixed annual operating costs of CAD25M, CAD10M, CAD11M, CAD10M, for G&A, the concentrator, hydromet plant, and separation plant respectively, and transportation costs of CAD200/tonne of mixed REO product. The operating costs have been established using a combination of comparable projects and industry benchmarks and are therefore conceptual in nature.

The aforementioned economic parameters result in a Net Metal Return (NMR) cut-off of CAD154/tonne. An elevated cut-off of CAD287/tonne was considered as the base case for the MRE to ensure reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction over a reasonable timeframe.

The resulting pit shell has a conical shape with a diameter of approximately 1,200m, a depth of roughly 600m, and has a 2.7:1 ratio of waste to mineralized material.

Metallurgical Methods
The mineral processing and hydrometallurgy assumptions are based on the optimized flowsheet announced in the March 4th, 2024 press release. This was a significant simplification and optimization of the Ashram Deposit's front-end mineral processing flowsheet whereby 30-35+% TREO monazite mineral concentrates at strong recovery are produced using only flotation. In addition, a streamlined hydrometallurgical flowsheet was developed by L3 Process Development ("L3") and demonstrated at bench scale for the downstream processing of the monazite flotation concentrate. The hydrometallurgical flowsheet uses a standard acid bake - water leach process followed by thorium removal and direct rare earth element ("REE") precipitation.

Qualified Persons
The independent qualified persons for the 2024 MRE, as defined by National Instrument ("NI") 43-101 guidelines, are Pierre-Luc Richard, P.Geo., of PLR Resources Inc. (Mineral Resource Estimate), Jeffrey Cassoff, P.Eng., of BBA Inc. (Pitshell optimization and cut-off grade), Jordan Zampini, P.Eng., from DRA Global (Mineral Processing parameters), and Tommee Larochelle, P.Eng., of L3 Process Development (Hydrometallurgical parameters). The effective date of the 2024 MRE is April 4th, 2024. The qualified persons have approved the technical contents of this press release.

Mr. Richard has worked in the mining industry for over 20 years with various commodities over the years, including REE projects. Mr. Richard has acted as QP or lead QP for a considerable number of technical reports, mineral resource estimates, and due diligence reviews as a consultant with different firms, and for PLR Resources since 2022. Mr. Richard has been involved with the Ashram project since 2021 and has visited the property.

About the Ashram Deposit
The Ashram Deposit is central to the Eldor Carbonatite Complex and bordered by an earlier staged calcio-carbonatite and various altered (fenitized) wallrock units. In contrast to its host rocks, the Ashram Deposit appears as a magnetic low and gravity high. Currently, the deposit geometry and geology can best be described as a moderate to steeply NE dipping ovoid, with simple rare earth mineralogy (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) that has an unusual enrichment in magnet feed elements (i.e. higher Nd+Pr Oxide/TREO). The Deposit is a single mineralized body outcropping at surface and has a drill delineated footprint of over 700 m along strike, 300 m across, and 600 m deep, and remains open at depth.

About Commerce Resources Corp.
Commerce Resources Corp. is a junior mineral resource company focused on the development of the Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth producers globally, with a specific focus on being a long-term supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide to the global market. The Ashram Deposit is characterized by simple rare earth (monazite, bastnaesite, xenotime) and gangue (carbonates) mineralogy, a large tonnage resource at favourable grade, and has demonstrated the production of high-grade (more than 30 - 45% TREO) mineral concentrates at high recovery (more than 60 - 75%) in line with active global producers. Additionally, the Ashram Deposit has a fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets.

For more information, please visit the corporate website at www.commerceresources.com or email info@commerceresources.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors
COMMERCE RESOURCES CORP.

"Chris Grove"
Chris Grove
CEO and President
Tel: 604.484.2700
Email: cgrove@commerceresources.com
Web: http://www.commerceresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward looking statements in this news release include that the updated mineral resource estimate positions the Company to become a frontrunner as a long-term source of magnet-feed REE to the European and North American markets; that the high NdPr distributions can be targeted early on in a potential open-pit extraction scenario; that there is potential upside of the REE-bearing mineralogy of the BD-Zone; the highly conceptual estimates of operating costs and economic parameters with respect to pit optimization to develop a constraining pit shell; that Ashram has the potential to become one of the largest fluorspar sources in the world and a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar markets; and that the Company is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth element producers globally, with a focus on being a long-term global supplier of mixed rare earth carbonate and/or NdPr oxide. These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these events, activities or developments from coming to fruition include: that we may not be able to fully finance any additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if we are able raise capital, costs for exploration activities may increase such that we may not have sufficient funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of any future work programs; geological interpretations based on drilling that may change with more detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may not prove successful or samples derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand for REE and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities; geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability; and despite the current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be commercially viable. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company assumes no responsibility to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Commerce Resources Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What is the updated indicated resource for Commerce Resources' Ashram Deposit?

The updated indicated resource is 73.2 Mt at 1.89% TREO and 6.6% CaF2.

How much has the indicated resource tonnage increased at the Ashram Deposit?

The indicated resource tonnage has increased by 164%.

What are the inferred resources at the Ashram Deposit?

The inferred resources are 131.1 Mt at 1.91% TREO and 4.0% CaF2.

What rare earth elements are prominent in the Ashram Deposit?

The Ashram Deposit has high percentages of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr).

How does the updated MRE impact Commerce Resources' strategic value?

The updated MRE enhances the project's strategic value by confirming high resource tonnage and favorable element distribution.

What future plans does Commerce Resources have for the Ashram Deposit?

Commerce Resources plans to continue exploring the deposit's potential with a forthcoming niobium drill program and ongoing studies.