InvestorIntel is digging for stories at PDAC 2022

PDAC 2022 is underway, and InvestorIntel is one of the media sponsors at the world’s largest mining and exploration convention. We are busy looking for new stories and meeting old friends at the first in-person PDAC since 2020.

Monday through Wednesday (June 13-15), InvestorIntel is conducting exclusive interviews with industry leaders, presidents and CEOs of some of the most interesting silver, gold, rare earths, uranium and other critical materials companies.

On Monday our first panel was Rare Earths, Sustainability & Meeting the EV Market Demand hosted by InvestorIntel CEO and Founder Tracy Weslosky with panelists Mark Chalmers, President and CEO of Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU | TSX: EFR) and Constantine Karayannopoulos, President, CEO and Director of Neo Performance Materials Inc. (TSX: NEO).

Our next panel discussion was hosted by Chris Thompson of eResearch on Silver, The Technology Metal & Market with Byron W. King, InvestorIntel columnist, Bald Eagle Gold Corp.‘s (TSXV: BIG) CEO Chris Paul, Silver Bullet Mines Corp.‘s (TSXV: SBMI) VP Capital Markets and Director Peter Clausi, and Simon Ridgway, Founder, Director, President and CEO of Volcanic Gold Mines Inc. (TSXV: VG).

To finish off Monday’s schedule, InvestorIntel columnist and renowned critical materials expert Byron W. King, led a panel discussion on Building the EV Material Supply Chain with Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp.‘s (CSE: API | OTCQB: APAAF) President Frederick Kozak, Search Minerals Inc.‘s (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) President, CEO, and Director Greg Andrews, Avalon Advanced Materials Inc.’s (TSX: AVL | OTCQB: AVLNF) President, CEO and Director, Don Bubar, and Vital Metals Limited‘s (ASX: VML | OTCQB: VTMXF) Managing Director, Geoff Atkins.

If you are at PDAC, be sure to visit the InvestorIntel media studio on Level 700.




Greg Andrews of Search Minerals talks about their newly released rare earths project PEA

In this InvestorIntel interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) President, CEO, and Director, Greg Andrews talks about the company’s new preliminary economic assessment report (PEA) reporting a low CAPEX and pre-tax NPV of $2.23B for their Deep Fox and Foxtrot Rare Earth Element (REE) deposits located in Labrador, Canada.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here), Greg explains how their technology and reduction in size of the equipment and reagents resulted in very low initial capital costs reported at just $422 million. Greg goes on to talk about how the four magnet rare earth elements present in Search Minerals’ project – neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium – drive over 90% of the gross revenue in the PEA due to increased and ongoing demand by the permanent magnet industry.

Greg also talks about Search Minerals’ other properties in its 63km district not covered in the recent PEA, including Fox Meadow where drilling is expected to commence in the fall on identified channel sample targets. He also provides an update on technological advances in the Company’s innovative patented Direct Extraction Metallurgical Process that significantly reduces CAPEX and operational costs while offering a more environmentally conscientious solution for managing waste residue.

To access the full InvestorIntel interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search is focused on finding and developing Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of southeast Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide and is road accessible, on tidewater, and located within 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for FOXTROT, and a resource estimate for DEEP FOX. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along the belt which include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Search has continued to optimize our patented Direct Extraction Process technology with support from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. We have completed two pilot plant operations and produced highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed rare earth concentrate for separation and refining. We also recognize the continued support by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its Junior Exploration Program.

Search Minerals was selected to participate in the Government of Canada Accelerated Growth Service (“AGS”) initiative, which supports high growth companies. AGS, as a ‘one-stop shop’ model, provides Search with coordinated access to Government of Canada resources as Search continues to move quickly to production and contribute to the establishment of a stable and secure rare earth element North American and European supply chain.

To learn more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].




Search Minerals moving forward with growing rare earths resource, new PEA and a commercial magnetic separation plant

It has recently been reported that the U.S. Government (subject to approval of the proposal) is likely to widen their definition of “domestic source” in the Defense Production Act to include the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and Australia. This is in addition to the current inclusion of Canada and of course the USA. If passed, this is great news for critical material miners located in these countries.

One such company is focused on the high value magnet rare earths and is advancing their project in Canada. Magnet rare earths prices, such as neodymium, have increased very significantly over the past year as EV demand surged.

Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) (Search) is developing their rare earths projects in Labrador, Canada. Their three projects include:

  • The Port Hope Simpson (PHS) Property (flagship) – Includes Foxtrot, Deep Fox, Silver Fox, Awesome Fox, and Fox Meadow deposits. Prospective for Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy), and Terbium (Tb), as well as Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf). The updated 2022 PEA is due soon in Q2, 2022.
  • The Henley Harbour Area in Southern Labrador.
  • The Red Wine Complex located in Central Labrador.

Search Minerals PHS Property showing the Foxtrot & Deep Fox deposits and other targets

Source: Search Minerals website

Search’s flagship PHS Property has been the Company’s focus with a PEA completed in 2016 on Foxtrot only, an updated Resource recently released (now includes both Foxtrot & Deep Fox), and an updated PEA to follow very soon. Given the larger resource (hence potentially longer mine life) and higher rare earth prices, the upcoming 2022 PEA is expected to potentially improve significantly on the 2016 PEA. Search President & CEO Greg Andrews, discusses the positive impact on their upcoming PEA in a recent InvestorIntel video here.

Details of the updated resource at Foxtrot and Deep Fox

As a result of the recent updated resource news the Foxtrot resource has grown by approximately 60% from the 2016 estimate and the Deep Fox resource has grown by 25% from the 2019 estimate. Search state in their April 11, 2022 resource announcement: “Revenue attributable to Pr, Nd, Dy, and Tb represent approximately 92% of the total revenue.”

Estimated Mineral Resources for the FOXTROT and DEEP FOX Projects as of December 31, 2021

Source: Search Minerals announcement on April 11, 2022

Both Foxtrot and Deep Fox Resources include open pit (OP) and underground (UG) components as shown on the models below. They will form the basis of the upcoming updated 2022 PEA. In both cases, mineralization remains open at depth.

Models showing the open pit and underground resource at Foxtrot and Deep Fox

Source: Search Minerals announcement on April 11, 2022

Next steps (including steps towards a full commercial magnetic separation plant)

The next steps for Search at their PHS Property will be the 2022 PEA release, further drilling to grow the resource (including at Fox Meadow), and further advancements with off-take agreements. In 2021 Search signed a non-binding MOU with USA Rare Earth LLC for the future delivery of a rare earth mineral concentrate supply containing 500 tpa of NdPr. The MOU also included a plan to expand the collaboration to include discussions regarding separation, marketing, and offtake of a portion of the future production at Search’s Deep Fox and Foxtrot deposits. There will also be the upcoming results from Search’s magnetic separation program using bulk samples from the PHS Property (Foxtrot & Deep Fox). The results of the testing will be used as part of a ‘scale up’ to a full commercial magnetic separation plant.

Search President & CEO, Greg Andrews, states: “We continue with our “Sprint to Production” and this is a very important step to scale up and produce more material for further separation into individual oxides of the permanent magnet material, Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy) and Terbium (Tb). These are the key elements which create the value in the rare earth element supply chain. Upon producing the oxides, Search will demonstrate the transformation of the permanent magnet oxides into metal.”

Closing remarks

Last month Search released a significant Resource upgrade at Foxtrot and Deep Fox deposits on their PHS Property. The results were strong growing the resources by 60% and 25% respectively. Both remain open at depth and the PHS Property has numerous other exciting rare earth targets such as Silver Fox, Awesome Fox, and Fox Meadow. This means the PHS Property should potentially continue to further grow the total resource size in years to come. Search did recently release encouraging assay results at the Fox Meadow target where Search plans to commence a 6,000 m drill program this fall.

The big next catalyst for Search is the upcoming updated 2022 PEA which should potentially see a significant improvement on the 2016 PEA. Following that it will be interesting to see Search’s progress towards becoming a rare earths miner as well as processor.

Search Minerals trades on a market cap of C$65 million.




Greg Andrews of Search Minerals on the positive impact of their updated resource estimate on its coming PEA

In this InvestorIntel interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Search Minerals Inc.’s (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) President, CEO, and Director, Greg Andrews, discusses the positive impact on its upcoming PEA of the recently increased mineral resource estimates for Search Minerals’ Deep Fox and Foxtrot Critical Rare Earth Element properties in South-East Labrador.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here), Greg Andrews tells InvestorIntel that its updated resource estimates will form the basis of Search’s upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). He goes on to explain how the PEA will take into account the significance of both the Deep Fox and Foxtrot properties. With Search Minerals positioned to become a reliable source of rare earths in North America, Greg also comments on how the 2022 Canadian Federal Budget is likely “to spur investment into all critical minerals, and the rare earths in particular.”

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search is focused on finding and developing Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide and is road accessible, on tidewater, and located within 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for FOXTROT, and a resource estimate for DEEP FOX. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along the belt which include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Search has continued to optimize our patented Direct Extraction Process technology with the support from the Department of Industry, Energy and Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. We have completed two pilot plant operations and produced highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed REO concentrate for separation and refining. We also recognize the continued support by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its Junior Exploration Program.

Search Minerals was selected to participate in the Government of Canada Accelerated Growth Service (“AGS”) initiative, which supports high growth companies. AGS, as a ‘one-stop shop’ model, provides Search with coordinated access to Government of Canada resources as Search continues to move quickly to production and contribute to the establishment of a stable and secure rare earth element North American and European supply chain.

To learn more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].




Jack Lifton, Byron King and Search Minerals’ Greg Andrews on the theory that endless cash will somehow make more battery materials appear

In this episode of Critical Minerals Corner, Tracy Weslosky and InvestorIntel Editor-in-Chief Jack Lifton are joined by Geologist and Newsletter Writer Byron King and Greg Andrews, President, CEO, and Director of Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) to discuss Modern Mineral Resource Theory (MMRT). Coined by Jack Lifton, MMRT evolved out of the Modern Monetary Theory (MRT) which he discussed in his recent InvestorIntel column titled – Squeezing the juice out of the idea that endless cash will somehow make more battery materials appear.

In the video, the panelists discussed the electric vehicle revolution, the supply chain challenges for rare earths and how Search Minerals is at the “sweet spot” of this electric vehicle revolution. Jack commented, “Search Minerals is expanding the global supply of critical metals through its new, innovative, process technology. This is the only way that critical metals supply can be reliably increased.”

To access the complete episode of this Critical Minerals Corner discussion, click here.




Greg Andrews on Search Minerals “Sprint to Production” with its rare earths deposits in Labrador

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky spoke with Greg Andrews, President, CEO, and Director of Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) about the commencement magnetic separation of bulk samples of Deep Fox and Foxtrot deposits at SGS Canada as Search Minerals “Sprint to Production” with its rare earths deposits in Labrador.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Greg Andrews highlighted the rising investor’s interest in the rare earths sector and the dearth of operating rare earth deposits outside of China. With the prices for rare earths on the rise, he went on to explain why Search Minerals’ updated 2022 PEA is expected to significantly improve the economics of its rare earths’ deposits. Providing an update on Search Minerals’ recent successful financing, Greg went on to explain why Search Minerals is “one of the most advanced rare earths companies in North America.”

To watch the full interview, click here.

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search is focused on finding and developing Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide and is road accessible, on tidewater, and located within 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for FOXTROT, and a resource estimate for DEEP FOX. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along the belt which include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Search has continued to optimize our patented Direct Extraction Process technology with the support from the Department of Industry, Energy ad Technology, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. We have completed two pilot plant operations and produced highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed REO concentrate for separation and refining. We also recognize the continued support by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador for its Junior Exploration Program.

To learn more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp., (IIC), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please contact us at +1 416 792 8228 and/or email us direct at [email protected].




Greg Andrews on Search Minerals ‘sprint’ towards rare earth production

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky spoke with Greg Andrews, President, CEO, and Director of Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) about Search Minerals’ ‘sprint’ towards production as they work towards strengthening the North American rare earths supply chain.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Greg Andrews said that Search Minerals recently signed an MoU for an offtake agreement with USA Rare Earth, thus ensuring that it has sales and revenues when production begins. He went on to say that Search Minerals is progressing towards announcing an updated PEA and explained why the updated PEA  is expected to be robust and economic at the current pricing of rare earths. With a loyal shareholder base and strong federal, provincial, local government and indigenous support, Greg told InvestorIntel that Search Minerals is progressing well towards its goal of going further down the rare earths supply chain to produce magnet metals and alloys.

To watch the full interview, click here.

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search Minerals is focused on finding and developing deposits of the Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), and of Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources, within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide that is road accessible, on tidewater, and has access to 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for its FOXTROT site, and a resource estimate for its DEEP FOX site. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along its part of the St. Lewis District, which are named, and include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Greg Andrews went on to emphasize that Search has continued to optimize its patented Direct Extraction Process technology with generous support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (“InnovateNL”), and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (“ACOA”). He said that Search has completed two pilot plant operations and produced a highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and a mixed REO concentrate for use in testing individual rare earth separation and refining.

To know more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp. (IIC) does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please email [email protected].




Greg Andrews with Jack Lifton on Advancing Search Minerals Towards a Total Domestic Rare Earth Supply Chain

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Jack Lifton spoke with Greg Andrews, President, CEO, and Director of Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY | OTCQB: SHCMF) about how its recent MoU for an offtake agreement with USA Rare Earth puts Search Minerals in the top tier of North American rare earth ventures.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Jack started by complementing Search as “Canada’s first rare earths company to be involved in a domestic North American total rare earths enabled product supply chain.” Greg Andrews then said that Search already has rare earth resources with excellent infrastructure, and has a patented selective extraction process. Greg also explained that Search is progressing towards its end goal of entering the high value add section of the rare earths supply chain, the production of metals and alloys.

To watch the full interview, click here.

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search Minerals is focused on finding and developing deposits of the Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), and of Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide and is road accessible, on tidewater, and located with access to 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for its FOXTROT site, and a resource estimate for its DEEP FOX site. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along its part of the St. Lewis District, which are named, and include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Greg Andrews went on to emphasize that Search has continued to optimize its patented Direct Extraction Process technology with generous support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador (“InnovateNL”), and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency (“ACOA”). He said that Search has completed two pilot plant operations and produced a highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and a mixed REO concentrate for use in testing individual rare earth separation and refining.

To know more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorIntel Corp. (IIC) does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all the material information concerning the “Company” being interviewed. IIC offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This presentation may contain“forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on Sedar.com and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

If you have any questions surrounding the content of this interview, please email [email protected].




Search Minerals’ Greg Andrews on the electrification of vehicles and the “push” for rare earth magnets

In a recent InvestorIntel interview, Tracy Weslosky speaks with Greg Andrews, President, CEO, and Director of Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY), about the electrification of vehicles and their collaboration agreements with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC) and USA Rare Earth.

In this InvestorIntel interview, which may also be viewed on YouTube (click here to subscribe to the InvestorIntel Channel), Greg started, “The recent Canadian government’s, the US government’s, the EU government’s rule on electrification and reducing internal combustion vehicles is a push in the right space for electrification which of course uses rare earth magnets.” He continued by saying that in the last year the OEMs have been investing a lot of capital in electrification of vehicles which again requires a secure supply chain of rare earths to make their business plans operable.

“The collaboration agreements with both SRC and USA Rare Earth is a critical next step for us to turn our product into oxides.” Greg said. He added that Search Minerals is exploring the proven Solvent Extraction Process with SRC and Continuous Ion Exchange process with USA Rare Earth to get their projects off the ground.

To watch the full interview, click here

About Search Minerals Inc.

Led by a proven management team and board of directors, Search is focused on finding and developing Critical Rare Earths Elements (CREE), Zirconium (Zr) and Hafnium (Hf) resources within the emerging Port Hope Simpson – St. Lewis CREE District of South East Labrador. The Company controls a belt 63 km long and 2 km wide and is road accessible, on tidewater, and located within 3 local communities. Search has completed a preliminary economic assessment report for FOXTROT, and a resource estimate for DEEP FOX. Search is also working on three exploration prospects along the belt which include: FOX MEADOW, SILVER FOX and AWESOME FOX.

Search has continued to optimize our patented Direct Extraction Process technology with the generous support from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, and from the Atlantic Canada Opportunity Agency. We have completed two pilot plant operations and produced highly purified mixed rare earth carbonate concentrate and mixed REO concentrate for separation and refining.

To learn more about Search Minerals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Search Minerals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.




MOU with the Saskatchewan Research Council signals another milestone for Search Minerals on their quest to produce rare earths in NA

A likely Biden victory in the USA is positive for all the rare earths miners. This is because one of Biden’s key policies is a massive $2 trillion green infrastructure and jobs plan over his first term in office that aims to have a US carbon pollution-free power sector by 2035. This would be a huge tailwind for the US renewable energy sector (solar and wind) as well as supportive to the US electric vehicle (EV) industry. Any North American rare earths suppliers who can potentially supply the USA and/or Canada with rare earths would be likely to benefit as North America embraces the green revolution.

One rare earth miner worth considering is Search Minerals Inc. (TSXV: SMY) (“Search”). Search is focused on finding and developing critical rare earth element mineral assets in Labrador, Canada.

In some very exciting recent news Search has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Saskatchewan Research Council (SRC). The MOU outlines a collaboration with SRC as they build their Rare Earth Processing Facility in Saskatchewan, Canada.

Search Minerals President and CEO, Greg Andrews, commented: “We anticipate using the (SRC) conventional solvent extraction process to enable Search to validate the ability to produce the individual rare earth oxides necessary to enter the rare earth supply chain.

Recent announcements regarding building electric cars in Canada and other government led initiatives for clean and green technology provides the framework for industry access to a secure rare earth supply chain in Canada. We believe Search is well positioned to capitalize on these opportunities.”

Search controls properties in three areas of Labrador, Canada. These are:

  • The Port Hope Simpson (PHS) Critical Rare Earth Element District in SE Labrador
  • The Henley Harbour Area in Southern Labrador
  • The Red Wine Complex located in Central Labrador

Search Minerals has nearby infrastructure in place at St. Lewis, Labrador, Canada

Source

Within the Port Hope Simpson District Search’s main discoveries are the Foxtrot Resource, Deep Fox, Fox Meadow, Silver Fox, and Awesome Fox deposits which contain rare earths including dysprosium (Dy), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), terbium (Tb), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), and hafnium (Hf).

The district covers a 63 km long and 2 km wide belt. At Foxtrot the total Indicated Resource is 7.392 million tonnes with grades of neodymium oxide (1,732ppm), neodymium (1,485ppm), praseodymium (397ppm), and dysprosium (191ppm). The 14 year Life of Mine (LOM) Foxtrot Project offers an IRR of 16.7% on an after tax Net Present Value (NPV) 10% of $48M, with a CapEx of only $152M. The NPV quoted above is only for the Foxtrot Project, so once the other projects are combined into a bigger project the NPV should improve.

At Fox Meadow, 2020 channel assay results outlined two mineralized zones on the surface: The NW zone is up to 175m wide and the SE zone is up to 116m wide. Combined, the mineralization is at least 790m long and contains similar grades of the REE magnet materials (Nd, Pr, Tb and Dy) as Foxtrot and Deep Fox. This is a good result as it means Search is continuing to find more REE mineralization to potentially further grow their resource.

At Silver Fox, Search has recently successfully expanded the Silver Fox high grade zirconium-hafnium (REE) mineralized zone. In the news release Search commented: “This surface expression is significantly longer, but thinner, than the surface expressions of the nearby and related Foxtrot and Deep Fox Resources. The mineralization is similarly hosted by peralkaline volcanic rocks and contains lower grades of the REE magnet materials (Nd, Pr, Tb and Dy) but significantly higher grades of Zr and Hf.”

At Awesome Fox, the 2020 channel program (7 new channels) along with previous channels has outlined a REE mineralized zone ranging from about 4-43m thick and 850m long.

Closing remarks

Earlier in 2020, rare earths expert Jack Lifton stated about Search Minerals: “I think it may well be Canada’s first commercial rare earth producer.” Given Search has completed a Resource estimate (Foxtrot, Deep Fox), a PEA (Foxtrot), has successfully produced 99% purity REO concentrate from their pilot plant and patented process, and now has a potential larger scale processing option with SRC; this all combines to suggest that Search Minerals is well on the way towards commercial production. Next steps would involve a BFS and potentially some trial production with SRC once their facility is built.

Search Mineral’s current market cap is only C$10.5M suggesting there may be plenty of upside potential ahead, especially if they continue to successfully advance towards production.