Definitive Eden Lake Rare-Earth Property Agreement Completed by Rare Element and Medallion
Exhibit 99.1
Definitive Eden Lake Rare-Earth Property Agreement Completed by Rare Element and Medallion
VANCOUVER, February 23, 2010 /CNW/ - Rare Element Resources Ltd ("Rare Element Resources" - TSX-V: RES) and Medallion Resources Ltd ("Medallion" - TSX-V: MDL) announce that they have completed and executed a definitive option agreement whereby Rare Element grants to Medallion an option ("Option") to acquire a 65% interest in a joint venture to explore the Eden Lake rare-earth-element (REE) property, located in western Manitoba, Canada ("Property"). Medallion has filed the definitive option agreement, along with an NI 43-101-compliant Technical Report on the Eden Lake property, with the TSX Venture Exchange for final approval. Option terms are presented below.
"We are pleased to confirm our working relationship with Rare Element, President Xxx Xxxxx and his team," said Xxxx Xxxx, president of Medallion. "As we evaluate available data and plan our upcoming 2010 program, it's clear to me that we have one of the best REE projects in North America. The Eden Lake REE geology is a unique combination of an alkalic intrusive complex with essential carbonatite, a large area of multiple styles of REE mineralization and a potential for elevated heavy REE's. Eden Lake also is one of the very few significant REE properties in Canada within practical range of roads, power and mining-friendly communities. Our team of recognized REE veterans is ready to go to work”.
Xx Xxxxx adds, "The execution of Rare Element's agreement with Medallion sets the stage for significant achievement at the Eden Lake REE property. The collation and re-evaluation of data and the completion of the airborne geophysical survey announced earlier this month is a solid beginning. We are excited by Medallion's rapid progress and Xx Xxxx'x enthusiasm, which are justified by the quality of the Eden Lake property."
Option Terms
For Medallion to maintain its Option to acquire a 65% joint-venture interest in the Property, Medallion must complete, over a five-year period, the following cash and share payments to Rare Element and complete the following Property-exploration expenditures:
Five-Year Option to earn 65%
interest in joint venture to Cash Medallion Property Work
explore Eden Lake property payment common shares commitment
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Initial payment $25,000
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At the signing of the
definitive agreement $25,000
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Upon TSX Venture Exchange
approval $50,000 200,000
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End of first year $50,000 200,000 $250,000
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End of second year $100,000 200,000 $500,000
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End of third year $200,000 200,000 $500,000
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End of fourth year $500,000 500,000 $500,000
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End of fifth year $500,000 500,000 $500,000
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TOTAL $1,450,000 1,800,000 $2,250,000
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Production from the Property will be subject to an underlying 3% Net Smelter Return royalty ("NSR") in favour of the prospector that originally staked the property. Half of this NSR may be purchased for $1.5 million.
Upon completion of the cash and share payments and work commitments, Medallion may exercise its Option to acquire a 65% interest in a joint venture with Rare Element that will be created to further explore and develop the Property (Medallion will hold 65% and Rare Element will hold 35%).
Medallion will be the operator of the exploration program during the Option period and, as the majority interest holder, Medallion would be the operator of the joint venture, as well.
The Eden Lake REE property is a recent discovery and one of the ten-most-promising North American REE prospects. A very large mineralized area, high-grade assays and multiple-mineralization styles support a number of targets for REE mineralization over a large surface area. Elevated yttrium and heavy-REE geochemical-sample values indicate a potential for concentrations of the more valuable heavy REE's. The property is located 20 kilometres northwest of the town of Leaf Rapids in western Manitoba, which offers supportive regional infrastructure & logistics. According to the Fraser Institute, mining-friendly Manitoba is considered the second-best jurisdiction in the world for exploration and mining. The property is expected to present few permitting, environmental or social concerns.
Rare Element Resources Ltd (TSX-V: RES - News) is a publicly traded mineral-resource company focused on rare-earth elements and gold. Rare Element has a 100% interest in the Bear Lodge property, Wyoming, which has a central core area of rare-earth mineralization and a surrounding cluster of gold occurrences. Rare Element is expanding and evaluating the rare-earth deposit, which has a NI 43-101-compliant resource, and is exploring other REE targets. In addition to the REE exploration and evaluation efforts, Rare Element and Newmont participate in the Sundance gold exploration venture on Bear Lodge property.
Medallion Resources Ltd (TSX-V: MDL - News) explores for rare-earth elements, which are required by many new energy-saving technologies. Increasing interest in energy conservation and environmental protection are fuelling intense interest in, and public awareness of these critical commodities. As understanding and demand increase, Medallion is well positioned to take part in potential breakthroughs in the exploration for these rare metals.
ON BEHALF OF THE RARE ELEMENT ON BEHALF OF THE MEDALLION
RESOURCES BOARD OF DIRECTORS RESOURCES BOARD OF DIRECTORS
"Xxxxxx X. Xxxxx", PhD, PGeo, "Xxxxxxx X Xxxx", PhD, PGeo,
President & CEO President & CEO
Xxxxxx X Xxxxx, PhD, PGeo, serves the Rare Element Board of Directors as an internal, technically Qualified Person. Technical information in this news release has been reviewed by Xx Xxxxx and has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements that are set out in National Instrument 43-101. This news release was prepared by Rare Element management, who take full responsibility for content. Neither 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.
Medallion management, who takes full responsibility for content, prepared this news release. Xxxxxxx X Xxxx, PhD, PGeo, who serves the Board of Directors of Medallion Resources as an internal, technically Qualified Person, has reviewed this release. The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Some of the statements contained in this release are forward-looking statements, such as estimates and statements that describe the Medallion's future acquisition and exploration plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that Medallion or its management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results in each case could differ materially from those currently anticipated in these statements. Such risks include expectations that may be raised by discussing potential acquisitions. Also, in order to proceed with Medallion's exploration plans, additional funding is necessary and, depending on market conditions, this funding may not be forthcoming on a schedule or on terms that facilitate Medallion's plans.
For further information
refer to Rare Element's web site xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx or contact:
Xxxx X Xxxxx, CFO, (000) 000-0000 xxx 000, xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Xxxxxx X Xxxxx, (000) 000-0000, xxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
refer to Medallion's web site xxx.xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx or contact:
Xxxxxxx X Xxxx, (000) 000-0000, xxxxxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Xxxxx X Xxxxxx, (000) 000-0000, xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
