Quest obtains international patent for its selective thermal sulphation process

— Image courtesy www.questrareminerals.com

Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (TSX:QRM) (Quest) is pleased to announce that it has obtained issuance of international patent (PCT/CA2016/051489) from the World Intellectual Property Organization, for the unique characteristics and capabilities of its eco-friendly “Selective Thermal Sulphation (STS)”1 process.

The published patent titled “Rare Earth Ore Processing Methods by Acid Mixing, Sulphating and Decomposing”, comprises of Quest’s complete rare earth processing methods for its Strange Lake Complex Deposit - from preparing mineral concentrate using one or more beneficiation methods to reduce the amount of ore processed and economically maximize the recovery of rare earth elements to producing a leach solution containing the rare earth elements (REE), that is substantially free of gangue elements.

The STS process developed by Quest has been successfully tested and demonstrated at bench scale and has confirmed the ability to scale-up to commercial scale. Compared to alternative technologies, the superior efficiency of the STS process stems from the facts that it is (i) much simpler and less complex; (ii) it required fewer reagent and lower reagent dosages; (iii) rare earth elements are separated from major contaminants (i.e. Fe, Al, U); (iv) it minimizes process effluent and produces smaller quantities of inert residue; and (v) it entails low capital and operating costs.

Dirk Naumann, Quest Rare Minerals President, said, “ It is of great value that Quest’s entire STS process is being granted protection by way of an international patent. The Strange Lake Complex deposit is quite unique and we have achieved a very high level of customization to efficiently and cost effectively produce high purity mixed rare earth metal oxides in an environmentally friendly manner.”

Pierre Lortie, Chairman of the Board stated, “This patent attests the team's innovative approach and its metallurgical in-depth knowledge. The eco-friendly and efficient STS process is an important asset to Quest and confers a valuable competitive advantage by lowering operating costs. Refinement work continues following a mineral processing breakthrough that could enhance the extraction potential of the Strange Lake Complex Deposit thus enabling Quest to become the first producer of individual Dy, Tb, Pr and Nd metal concentrates in North America.