Canada Rare Earth Corp. [LL-TSXV] has obtained the right to increase its ownership in the Bom Futuro tailings property in the state of Rondonia, Brazil, to a controlling 52% and to become the operator of the project.

Certain highlights of the Bom Futuro property include permit issued for extraction activities; 70 million tons of tailings accumulated from 25 years of tin mining by the Paranapanema Company and artisanal operators; tailings contain multiple essential, critical and commercially saleable minerals including tin/cassiterite, ilmenite, zircon and rare earths; tailings are situated on 590 hectares of 9,960 hectares of leased property; tailings derived from any current and future mining operations over the 26-year lease term are also included.

Information regarding the tailings is available in a NI 43-101 report and has been augmented through internal work and other NI 43-101 non-compliant sources; right of first refusal to purchase the mineral rights underlying the 9,960 hectares.

Currently, as project lead, Canada Rare Earth is conducting development work to finalize the operational plans and production estimates for the extraction of essential minerals including tin, zircon, monazite and ilmenite. This work includes bulk material tests, development of flow sheets, equipment selection, financial modelling and mineral/metallurgical analyses.

The company is well advanced in the process development and, based on the expected operational and commercial projections, the three owners of Bom Futuro unanimously agreed that Canada Rare Earth may increase its equity position to 52% from the current 20% by arranging financing for development and becoming the operator for the project. The company is working closely with its investment banking partners to raise funds to bring the property into operations.

Tracy A. Moore, CEO of Canada Rare Earth, explained: “Our team is extremely pleased to be nearing the financing and implementation phase of our project. In the very near term, we expect to capitalize on the essential minerals contained within the tailings, by applying more modern approaches, know-how and equipment than has historically been utilized. Our goal is to provide value to our shareholders and stakeholders and to become a significant, contributing member of the local community in proximity to the project which for years produced 3 per cent of the global tin supply.”

Peter Shearing, chief operating officer of Canada Rare Earth, elaborated, “We are very confident with our plans for Bom Futuro operations and are looking forward to transitioning from planning to implementation of the overall project.”