Oct 17 2014
Ucore Rare Metals Inc is pleased to announce the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to engage a consulting firm to prepare a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the Company's Bokan - Dotson Ridge heavy rare earth deposit in Southeast Alaska.
The preparation of the BFS has been timed to allow responding consultants access to final metallurgical work and the operation of the forthcoming Bokan pilot plant before finalizing the BFS.
"The completion of our infill diamond drill program at Bokan this summer has allowed us to continue uninterrupted toward mine development", said Ken Collison, COO of Ucore. The 5,000 meter drill program consisted of 2,500 meters of infill drilling; 1,500 meters of deep targeted drilling to expand the Bokan resource at depth; as well as 1,000 meters of geotechnical and groundwater drilling to support environmental analysis and the permitting process.
"The preparation of the BFS is a milestone for Ucore, and marches us yet another step closer to construction at Bokan Dotson-Ridge", said Jim McKenzie, President and CEO of Ucore. "Our project continues to progress according to plan. It's especially gratifying to be making these material advances during a market down cycle. Ucore's fundamentals are strong, and this work positions us to take advantage of higher prices in the future."
To make the most efficient use of time, and specifically in order to shorten the timeline to construction, the permitting process at Bokan will continue during the preparation of the BFS. This simultaneous undertaking is designed to ensure the mine construction is ready to commence with minimal delay, upon the issuance of required mine building permits.