Greenland Minerals Signs Memorandum of Understanding with China's NFC, to form Fully-Integrated Global Rare Earth Supply Chain
March 23 2014 - 11:25PM
Marketwired
Greenland Minerals Signs Memorandum of Understanding with China's
NFC, to form Fully-Integrated Global Rare Earth Supply Chain
PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA--(Marketwired - Mar 23, 2014) -
Greenland Minerals and Energy Limited ("GMEL" or "the Company")
(ASX:GGG)(PINKSHEETS:GDLNF) is pleased to advise that it has made a
significant step toward the establishment of an integrated global
rare earth supply business with the signing of a non-binding
Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China Non-Ferrous Metal
Industry's Foreign Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd. (NFC). The
MoU sets out a framework for both parties to cooperate in aligning
the rare earth concentrates from GMEL's Kvanefjeld Project, with
NFC's substantial rare earth separation experience and capacity, to
create a powerful force in global rare earth supply.
Over recent years GMEL has looked to identify and engage groups
that have the capability to work with the Company in establishing a
vertically-integrated rare earth supply business, in parallel to
advancing technical aspects of the Kvanefjeld Project. On the basis
of numerous meetings and technical due-diligence conducted over the
previous three years, a clear alignment of interests has emerged
between GMEL and NFC.
GMEL's Kvanefjeld Project, ideally located in southern
Greenland, is underpinned by one of the world's largest resources
of both rare earth elements and uranium, with scope to increase the
resource base several fold. The Project is now in definitive
feasibility study stage, and is scheduled to enter the permitting
phase in late-2014. Studies conducted to date indicate the
potential to develop Kvanefjeld as a cost-competitive, long-life
operation that will produce rare earth concentrates, uranium oxide,
zinc concentrate and fluorspar. The unique ore-type allows for a
simple and efficient processing route that is readily scalable with
low-technical risk. These attributes make Kvanefjeld a standout
amongst emerging mining operations with significant projected rare
earth output.
NFC has a strong reputation in engineering, financing,
constructing and operating mines, smelters, and refineries in many
parts of the world. NFC's participation in the rare earth industry
comes through its subsidiary Guangdong Zhujiang Rare Earths
Company; which holds the distinguished status as the first group to
carry out full separation of fifteen rare earth elements in China,
and is recognised globally as a leader in rare earth separation
technology.
NFC intends to increase its participation in the global rare
earth business, and has a new 7000tpa capacity rare earth
separation facility planned, with all approvals in place.
Upon completion, this will represent one of the world's newest,
largest-capacity and most technologically advanced rare earth
separation facilities. Of significance, the planned facility is
designed to process concentrates of a similar composition to the
'critical rare earth' mix aimed to be produced from Kvanefjeld, and
the capacity closely matches the volume of Kvanefjeld's stage 1
projected output.
The complementary aspects of GMEL's Kvanefjeld Project and NFC's
planned rare earth separation capability are clear, and represent a
compelling opportunity.
Under the terms set out in the MoU, both parties intend to
increase the technical cooperation to assist in the completion of
feasibility studies on Kvanefjeld, and finalise a mining license
application. The timing is important as the technical exchange is
designed to ensure that Kvanefjeld and NFC's new separation
facility are optimally aligned. Both parties are aiming to
establish a strategic cooperation agreement, and map out the
structure of a business partnership and associated commercial
considerations. The creation of a full value chain will have GMEL
well-positioned to commence marketing rare earths, and to secure
offtake agreements.
GMEL's vision for the Kvanefjeld Project has included the
establishment of an effective rare earth business, through
combining the cost-competitive production of critical rare earth
concentrates from Kvanefjeld with expertise and capacity in
downstream rare earth separation. The Company looks forward to
working with a group of NFC's capability and reputation to secure
this vision and establish a strong rare earth business
partnership.
With an avenue to establishing a strong rare earth business unit
taking shape, GMEL will increase its focus on structuring the
uranium business, and firming up an optimal uranium partner for the
Kvanefjeld Project.
ABOUT GREENLAND MINERALS AND ENERGY LTD.
Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd (ASX:GGG) is an exploration
and development company focused on developing high-quality mineral
projects in Greenland. The Company's flagship project is the
Kvanefjeld multi-element deposit (Rare Earth Elements, Uranium,
Zinc), that is rapidly emerging as a premier specialty metals
project. A comprehensive pre-feasibility study has demonstrated the
potential for a large-scale, cost-competitive, multi-element mining
operation. For further information on Greenland Minerals and Energy
visit http://www.ggg.gl.
Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd will continue to advance the
Kvanefjeld project in a manner that is in accord with both
Greenlandic Government and local community expectations, and looks
forward to being part of continued stakeholder discussions on the
social and economic benefits associated with the development of the
Kvanefjeld Project.
ABN 85 118 463 004
Greenland Minerals and Energy LimitedRoderick McillreeManaging
Director+61 8 9382 2322
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