Dec 4 2010
Rare Earth Metals Inc (TSX VENTURE:RA) has announced that it has entered into a joint venture with Ucore Rare Metals Inc (TSX VENTURE:UCU) to jointly fund exploration and development of the recently acquired Northcott Option, located in western Newfoundland.
The Northcott Property is a 20 claim unit property which was recently optioned by RA (see RA press release dated November 10, 2010 for a summary of the terms of the Northcott Option Agreement). Recent prospecting by the owners had identified an area of angular float containing anomalous Rare Earth Elements which exhibited high Heavy Rare Earth Element ratios. The property is underlain by the Hare Hill per-alkaline intrusive suite which is host to a number of known REE and U showings.
During a property examination by RA personnel, a total of four samples were taken and results ranged from 0.83% to 1.77% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) with an average of 1.22% TREO. The ratio of Heavy Rare Earth Oxides (HREO including Y2O3) to TREO ranged from 63% to 71% with an average of 68%. Within the REO package the most abundant oxides included Y2O3 which ranged from 0.38% to 0.83% (average of 0.55%), Ce2O3 which ranged between 0.10% and 0.22% (average 0.17%), La2O3 between 0.05 % and 0.10% (average 0.07%), Nd2O3 between 0.06% to 0.12% (average 0.09%) and Dy2O3 between 0.05% to 0.10% (average 0.07%). A trenching/sampling program focused on defining the mineralization controls is in progress.
Terms of the joint venture with Ucore allows for both companies to maintain a 50% interest in the Northcott Property by funding 50% of the acquisition, exploration and development costs. RA will be the operator and funding for the initial $50,000 trenching and sampling program has been guaranteed by both companies. Once either party has expended in excess of $200,000 on the Property, and decides not to fund future programs it will be diluted pro rata to a 1% NSR. The agreement is subject to TSX approval.
Wayne Reid, PGeo, is a qualified person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, and has reviewed and approved the technical information forming the basis for release.