Quantum CEO Sees China's Rare Earth Restrictions as Opening for Obama to Act
June 24 2011 - 8:00AM
Marketwired
Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp. (TSX VENTURE: QRE)(OTCQX:
QREDF)(FRANKFURT: BR3) -
"President Barack Obama should counter China's actions and move
aggressively to set up a U.S. stockpile of rare earth materials,"
said Peter Dickie, CEO of Quantum Rare Earth Developments Corp.
(http://www.quantumrareearth.com/).
"China's activities go far beyond a wake-up alarm. The time to
act is now," Dickie said. "The combination of a crackdown on mining
activities in China and that country's own stockpiling are causing
chaos in markets for rare earths, which are vital to high-tech
industries. We can't have just one country, China, producing 97
percent of the world's rare earths without a strong response to
ensure North American supply."
Quantum currently is conducting drilling operations in
southeastern Nebraska, in the Elk Creek community, to determine the
extent and composition of both niobium and rare earth elements
("REE's"). Recent tests have shown that a large deposit of niobium
exists on the project area, and Quantum is hopeful that previous
drill results on REE portions of the property, such as Drill hole
EC-93: 155.5 metres of 2.70% Total Rare Earth Oxides ("TREO"),
including 54.9 m of 3.30% TREO can be successfully followed up on
through the current drilling campaign.
Niobium is used as a steel hardener for high-strength, low-alloy
steel, including 'super alloys' for aerospace and defense
industries, and as a steel hardener in natural gas pipelines. It is
also used in high-tech magnets, included those in MRI machines. The
U.S. government considers niobium to be a strategic metal.
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has stated, "The Elk
Creek carbonatite, located south of Lincoln (Nebraska), has the
potential to be one of the largest global resources of niobium and
rare-earth elements (REE)."
Quantum also supports activities in the U.S. government and
Congress to strengthen the nation's rare earth materials security,
including the National Strategic and Critical Minerals Policy Act
of 2011, legislation by U.S. Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO). The bill
directs the Department of the Interior to coordinate a
government-wide assessment of the nation's mineral resources and
availability for critical mineral needs.
In addition, Quantum has also voiced its strong support for a
provision in the Fiscal Year 2012 U.S. defense authorization bill
that directs the Department of Defense to set up an inventory of
rare earth materials and supply sources. The language was authored
by Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO).
On Behalf of the Board,
Peter Dickie, President, CEO
"Neither the 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) 568-7365 (604) 568-7506 (FAX)
www.quantumrareearth.com
Niocorp Developments Ltd. (TSXV:QRE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
Niocorp Developments Ltd. (TSXV:QRE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024