Toronto – TheNewswire - January 26, 2023 – Nuinsco Resources Limited (“ Nuinsco ” or the “ Company ”) (CSE:NWI) today announced that it has commenced a new phase of metallurgical studies at its Prairie Lake critical minerals and phosphate project located near Terrace Bay, Ontario (“ Prairie Lake ” or the “Project” ). The new program follows from very successful earlier metallurgical work that demonstrated the Prairie Lake carbonatite can produce phosphate concentrate that exceeds 30% P 2 O 5 , suitable for use in agricultural applications with substantial rare earth element (“ REE ”) content, indicating excellent potential for economic viability.
“Importantly, this work will lead to the production of concentrate that will be used in planned studies of REE recovery,” said Paul Jones, Nuinsco’s CEO. “Apatite from the Prairie Lake project contains amongst the world’s highest known light rare earth element content.”
A 250kg sample of blended carbonatite-ijolite rock from the Prairie Lake project has been sent to SGS Laboratories Lakefield, Ontario facility where it will be evaluated through a series of studies. The intent of the current program is further understanding into mineralogical, chemical and physical characteristics of the rock that will provide more detailed insight into processing and concentration of the Prairie Lake feed.
“The new metallurgical work, currently in progress, will provide added insight into a critical facet of the development of the Prairie Lake project,” Mr. Jones added. “From our earlier studies we know that high value phosphate concentrate can be produced from Prairie Lake carbonatite rock. We are now expanding examination to include study into recoveries from ijolite rock, the other main rock type at the Project. The sheer magnitude of the mineral resource estimate at Prairie Lake (refer to news release dated May 31, 2022), the apatite containing amongst the highest rare earth element contents in the world, and the innumerable forecasts of dramatically increased global demand for phosphate and REEs over the coming decades, in agriculture, vehicle electrification, and a host of other applications, makes the Prairie Lake project an incredibly exciting and an extremely strategic and valuable asset.”
The current metallurgical program comprises mineralogical analysis, grindability and abrasion tests, a heavy liquid/dense media separation study, stage grinding, low intensity magnetic separation, gravity separation, batch phosphate/REE flotation tests, and niobium flotation. At the conclusion of the tests, apatite concentrate will be further evaluated for REE recovery. The Company has requested proposals for onward REE recovery test programs.
The Project benefits from being in a politically stable jurisdiction; is exceptionally located near to available rail, road, shipping, and power infrastructure; and is ideally placed in North America with respect to current supply chain concerns for critical minerals.
Prairie Lake consists of 46 mineral claims covering an area of ~630 ha. Prairie Lake is superbly located, easily accessed by an all-weather road from the TransCanada Highway located 28 kilometres to the south.
Laura Giroux, P.Geo, Chief Geologist, acts as Nuinsco's Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Ms. Giroux has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this news release.