Ucore Separates Dy and Ho Sub-Groups at 99%+ Purity via SuperLig(R)-One Pilot Plant - Seite 2

Since announcement of the completion of SuperLig^® certifications; PLS analysis; automation control verification; water testing; process flow testing of the Plant; REE separation, as a group, from Gangue Metals; Sc separation from the group of REE; and separation of the HREE Class from the LREE Class, the following results have been achieved using the SuperLig®-One Plant:

• Separation of the Dy Sub-Group from the Ho Sub-Group - Efficient separation of Dy from Ho, which are adjacent elements on the periodic table ("Next Door Neighbors"), at the 99%+ level, demonstrates the uniqueness of the MRT approach. The separation of Next Door Neighbors Dy and Ho is one of the most difficult and time consuming separations for Legacy Separation Technologies. Highly selective, green chemistry separation of the Dy and Ho Sub-Groups from each other replicates previous lab work and makes available the individual separation of Heavy CREE, as desired. The total amount of REE recovered in the Dy and Ho Sub-Groups plus that recovered earlier in the LREE Class plus Sc is, within 1%, the same as the total REE content present in the original PLS. Minimal amounts of REE have been lost to the commons in previous separation steps using the MRT procedure. The recovery of REE at 99%+ by MRT contrasts sharply with recovery rates achievable by Legacy Separation Technologies, where large amounts of the initial REE may be lost as waste in tailings alone. Conservation of REE through the separation process preserves a valuable resource, avoids environmental contamination, and markedly reduces operating and capital expenses.

• REE Purity - 99%+ purities of each of the Dy and Ho Sub-Groups are readily achievable because the Gangue Metals, Sc and LREE have all been previously removed, at 99%+ purities and recoveries, from the PLS. Dy, which is now at 99.99% purity vs. the Ho Sub-Group, the LREE Class, Sc, and Gangue Metals, will be further purified from Tb, Gd, Eu and Sm in the next unit operation of the Pilot Plant. The sequential nature and simplicity of the SuperLig®-One flowsheet minimizes the number of stages needed to obtain high purity REE products and significantly reduces the time in process, or inventory time, for these products. Rapid achievement of high purity while minimizing waste generation and preserving critical resources is a hallmark of the SuperLig®-One Plant.

• Verification of Purities and Confirmation of Scale-up Parameters - 99%+ purities and recoveries of the Dy and Ho Sub-Groups have been verified analytically at IBC using inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy ("ICP"). Purities and recovery rates obtained are consistent with those found earlier at IBC using lab-scale test work (see PR dated March 2, 2015) and by an independent analytical laboratory. The analytically measured purities and recovery rates confirm that the SuperLig®-One Plant is scaling as expected. Scaling of the Plant is enhanced by the numerical knowledge of all operating parameters at the molecular level, which were determined previously at laboratory scale. Subsequent scaling then follows directly using well known chemical engineering principles, as seen in the functioning SuperLig®-One Plant.

The remaining stage of the SuperLig®-One Pilot Plant operation will demonstrate separation and recovery of individual Heavy CREE from the Dy Sub-Group. A qualified third party will observe and confirm production of 99.99% pure Dy from the Pilot Plant. An independent third party laboratory will be utilized to confirm the Dy purity.