November 3, 2014 skip to content

Canada Rare Earth Enters into Joint Venture Agreement for the Exploration & Development of the Mata Azul Rare Earth Property in Brazil

November 3, 2014 

Canada Rare Earth Corp. (“Canada Rare Earth“or the “Company “) (TSX.V: LL)  is pleased to announce that it has entered into a joint venture agreement  with Mineracao Mata Azul S.A. (“Mata Azul”) to advance exploration and establish and operate mining and concentration operations for rare earth and other mineral rights owned by Mata Azul (the “Joint Venture”). This business arrangement allows Canada Rare Earth to control the exploration and development of the Mata Azul property and ratifies the previously announced agreement between the Company and Mata Azul which provides the Company with the right to purchase all of the rare earth concentrate from the project.

Pursuant to the Joint Venture Agreement Canada Rare Earth will hold 80% and Mata Azul will hold, on a non-dilutive basis, 20% of the issued capital of a newly formed company (the “Joint Venture Company”). Canada Rare Earth has the right to appoint three of four directors and Mata Azul may appoint the fourth director. Mr. Tracy A. Moore, CEO of Canada Rare Earth will be appointed the chairman of the Joint Venture Company. The Joint Venture Company has until November, 2015 to raise US$5 million of equity capital in order to acquire all of the rare earth and other mineral rights owned by Mata Azul for nominal consideration.  The US$5 million of equity capital will remain to the credit of the Joint Venture Company after it receives the transfer of the Mata Azul mineral rights.

In order to arrange this transaction and secure services for planned activities, Canada Rare Earth has agreed to redistribute to Mata Azul 50% of dividends in excess of US$2 million each year which, Canada Rare Earth would otherwise be entitled to receive from this business division (the “Dividend Redistribution”) up to a specified maximum.  The Company has also allocated to a third party who has been integral in facilitating the transaction with Mata Azul and with whom the Company will continue to collaborate with  in arranging financing for the project,  30% of  the Company’s initial 80% equity position  in the Joint Venture Company, net of the Dividend Redistribution.  Additionally the Company has allocated 5% of the Company’s initial 80% equity interest, net of the Dividend Redistribution,    to CEC Rare Earth Corporation (“REC”) on the condition that it discounts its future professional fees regarding the Mata Azul project by $250,000. Canada Rare Earth has the option for three years to acquire REC’s 5 % interest for $750,000.

Tracy A. Moore, CEO and President of Canada Rare Earth explained: “ Mata Azul and Canada Rare Earth have discussed and developed our going forward strategy for nearly one year to ensure that our views of developing the business are compatible. We have spoken with prospective financiers and prospective customers to understand how best to plan and execute our business.”

“Canada Rare Earth has embarked on a rather unique strategy with four simultaneous facets in order to establish our vertically integrated business within the rare earth industry,” Mr. Moore added. “Many participants in the industry apply a sequential approach such as exploration leading to mining leading to concentration leading to separation and then leading to sales.  In contrast, we have focused on what is the key to the industry – separation of rare earths into their individual elements with a high degree of purity – from 99.9% to 99.999% pure oxides. The four main aspects of this business strategy that must come together in unison include: (1)  establishing a long term, consistent supply of concentrate containing a significant proportion of critical and heavy rare earth elements; (2) developing or accessing a refinery to produce high quality, individual rare earth oxides including critical heavy elements; (3) securing three to seven international  customers to purchase  60-80% of the separated elements on a long term basis; and (4) arranging suitable financing for the project.”

 

Canada Rare Earth cautions investors that the proposed Mata Azul project is in the conceptual stage and there is no assurance that results of exploration of the property and associated metallurgy will be sufficiently successful to warrant development or that rare earth concentrate will be produced to the standards and volumes that would be required to make the project commercially viable.  

ABOUT CANADA RARE EARTH CORP.

 

Canada Rare Earth Corp. is developing a vertically integrated business within the global rare earth industry by focusing on establishing rare earth separation refineries. This initiative is undertaken in conjunction with CEC Rare Earth Corporation, which has access to personnel experienced with designing, building and operating rare earth separation refineries.  Additionally, the Company has several exploration properties exhibiting multi element potential including rare earths. Information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under the Company's profile at www.sedar.com. For more information, please visit the Canada Rare Earth Corporation web site at www.canadarareearth.com.

 

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF CANADA RARE EARTH CORP.:

 

Tracy A. Moore, CEO & President

 "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." The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements."  Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining, exploration and operations; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to the price fluctuation of rare earths and other commodities; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.  These forward looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances.  Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections

 

For more information on the Company, Investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

 

Tracy A. Moore

CEO & President

(604) 638-8886

 
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