ucore spins a good story but they need to finishinvestigating 2028? who writes this stuff?
HALIFAX, Nova Scotia, May 07, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV:UCU) (OTCQX:UURAF) (“Ucore” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce it has engaged IBC Advanced Technologies, Inc. (IBC) of American Fork, Utah, to commence advanced engineering and design procedures for the U.S. Specialty Metals Complex (SMC) to be constructed in Ketchikan, Alaska (see Ucore Press Release: https://ucore.com/ucore-announces-location-selection-for-u-s-strategic-metals-complex-smc).
On March 5, 2018, Ucore announced a 2020 production start date for the Ketchikan-based SMC (see Ucore Press Release: https://ucore.com/ucore-sets-2020-production-start-date-for-alaska-smc). The agenda includes an advanced engineering and design (E&D) program commencing in 2018, comprised of two primary phases:
| Phase | Engineering & Design Item and Description |
| 1. Plant | 1.1 Feedstock - Reconfirmation of Feedstock Geochemistry and Down Selection of Candidate Feedstocks; Feedstock Test Work; Consideration of Individual and Blended Production Lines Over the Life of the Plant.
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1.2 Plant Requirements - Finalization of the Plant Requirements Document.
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1.3 Process Flow Diagrams – MRT & non-MRT.
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1.4 Process & Instrumentation Diagrams – MRT & non-MRT.
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1.5 Arrangement Layouts & Details – MRT, non-MRT & On-site Analytical Laboratory.
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1.6 Equipment and Chemical Lists - Including Purchase Specifications (Categorized by Lead Time) – MRT, non-MRT & Laboratory.
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1.7 Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) Engineering – MRT & non-MRT.
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| 1.8 Utilities - Finalization of the Facility Dimensional, Power, Compressed Air, HVAC, Water, and Environmental Requirements. |
1.9 Economic Model - Routine Updates & Finalization of Engineering Inputs to the Project Economic Model and Schedule.
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| 2. Facility | 2.1 Codes - Building Code & Zoning Requirements.
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2.2 Site Specific Studies, including:
- Boundary Survey and Topography
- Soils Report
- Site Plan Design
- Architectural Rendering
- Review of Mechanical, Electrical & Environmental Requirements
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2.3 Facility Requirements - Finalization of the Facility Requirements Document.
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2.4 Design Engineering - Architectural, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Design Drawings & Specifications.
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2.5 Equipment Lists – Including Purchase Specifications (Categorized by Lead Time).
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| 2.6 Permit Applications |
2.7 Economic Model - Routine Updates & Finalization of Engineering Inputs to the Project Economic Model and Schedule.
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“Having IBC commence E&D activities is a significant milestone for the Alaska SMC,” said Mike Schrider, COO of Ucore. “Completion of IBC’s initial test work and engineering tasks will allow us to engage other engineering specialists regarding the non-MRT [Molecular Recognition Technology] portions of the Plant such as the product dissolution and acid/wastewater recycling sections. Once those systems are designed, we will then be in a position to commence discussions with local Alaskan engineers regarding our facility requirements to house the REE separation plant based on the specific site we select in Ketchikan.”
“The Ucore-IBC alliance in the REE sector builds on IBC’s proven capabilities to develop, scale-up and commercialize selective separation systems for a number of diverse and complex applications,” stated Jim McKenzie, President and CEO of Ucore. “By extrapolating the knowledge gained from the SuperLig® One rare earth pilot plant, we have a clear plan of execution for the Alaska SMC. When completed, we will have established a significant domestic source of saleable rare earth oxides, which will go a long way towards establishing technology metals independence for the US in an environmentally sustainable and safety conscious manner.”
The E&D process will culminate in a technical and economic document which will form the basis of financing discussions with the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (AIDEA), pursuant to Senate Bill 99 (SB99). In 2014, Ucore announced the SB99 initiative, which included the unanimous support of the Alaska State Legislature for the investment of up to USD $145 Million in REE mining and separation facilities in South East Alaska, subject to review and approval by AIDEA (see Ucore Press Release: https://ucore.com/ucore-comments-on-unanimous-passing-of-sb-99-by-alaska-state-senate).
Entrepreneur of the Year
Ucore is additionally proud to announce that the Company has been awarded Entrepreneur of the Year by the Ketchikan Chamber of Commerce. In an event hosted by the Chamber on April 21, 2018, Jason Custer, Executive Secretary for the Chamber attributed the recognition by the selection committee to Ucore’s tremendous investment in the region around the development of the Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Earth Project and now the proposed Ketchikan based strategic rare earth separation complex.
“Ketchikan was selected as the preferred location to construct Ucore’s inaugural Specialty Metals Complex to separate feedstock sourced from alternate projects, due to favorable container shipping logistics, an experienced and loyal local workforce, and the close proximity to our primary in-situ rare earth resource,” explained Randy Johnson, Advisory Board Member to Ucore. “We thank the Chamber for this overture of recognition. The award is a strong indication of the local support and the desire to diversify industry in Southeast Alaska and make this the environmentally conscience rare earth supply region for the nation.”