TNR Gold Corp.: Preliminary Results at Seabrook Niobium-Rare-Earth Elements Property
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/25/11 -- TNR Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: TNR) ('TNR' or the 'Company') is pleased to announce the Company has completed preliminary work at the Seabrook Niobium and Rare Earth Elements ('REE') Property (the 'Property') in northern Ontario.
Key Highlights:
-- Preliminary analyses confirms significant historical REE grades;
-- 45% of samples report greater than 0.20% TREO;
-- Cerium, Neodymium, Lanthanum and Niobium oxide grades range up to:
3,233 ppm Ce2O3, 1,779 ppm Nd2O3, 1,163 ppm La2O3, and 1,903 ppm Nb2O5;
and
-- Preliminary soil orientation survey completed, awaiting results.
'We are encouraged by the rare-earth element levels and the corroboration of historical results reported from this initial sampling program,' states Gary Schellenberg, President and CEO of the Company. 'This was the first step in a fully warranted comprehensive evaluation of the multi-commodity potential of the Property.'
Seabrook Niobium - Rare-Earth Elements Project Update
Results from 22 geochemical and mineralogical characterization samples (grab samples(i)) are consistent with historical work by exploration companies and published work by Ontario government geologists. The following table summarizes samples containing greater than 0.20% Total Rare-Earth Oxides Yttrium ('TREO Y').
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Sample ID TREO% CeO2 ppm Nd2O3ppm La2O3 ppm Nb2O5 ppm
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16205 0.71 3233 1779 1163 594
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16204 0.48 2026 1065 842 1903
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16206 0.42 1851 799 903 302
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16222 0.31 1242 549 634 436
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16207 0.28 1283 702 365 144
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16203 0.28 1236 500 585 388
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16211 0.27 1277 552 568 346
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16216 0.25 1032 545 486 104
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16209 0.24 1113 367 620 396
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16208 0.24 1089 321 677 714
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The Seabrook Carbonatite Complex hosts Niobium and Rare-Earth Element mineralization with Light Rare-Earth Elements (LREEs) dominating. LREEs account for 94% of TREO Y in samples with greater than or equal to0.20% TREO Y. Three LREEs account for approximately 84% of TREO Y in samples with greater than or equal to0.20% TREO Y. These are Cerium (approx. 44%), Neodymium (approx. 20%) and Lanthanum (approx. 20%).
This initial survey of the property was conducted under the supervision of Dr. Frederick Breaks, P. Geo., and the Company's special advisor on Rare - Earth Element ('REE') exploration. Further mineralogical work is underway. Subsequent to the identification of historical workings in the hematite alteration zone an orientation soil survey was conducted in this area. Results of the soil survey are pending.
(i) Note: grab samples are by definition selective and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property.
About the Seabrook Project
The Seabrook Project is located 100 kilometres northeast of Sault Ste. Marie in northern Ontario, covers 512 hectares and is accessible year round. The property encloses the Seabrook Carbonatite Complex which forms the area of prospective geology. Access to the property is by major paved highways with the final 10 kilometres on unpaved forest service road. Electrical transmission lines cross the southwest corner of the property.
The Seabrook Carbonatite is approximately 1.5 x 2.5 kilometres in area and elongated along a north-south trend forming a tadpole shaped complex consisting of sovite and silicocarbonatite in the bulbous northern portion and ijolite in the tail to the south. The entire complex is enveloped by a well developed aureole of fenitized granitic rocks.
Limited historical exploration of the Seabrook Carbonatite has indicated significant REE potential. In 1955, W. Bussineau reported 4 grab samples(i) grading 0.6, 1.5, 4.7 and 10.3% Nb2O5. In 1971, Canpac Minerals Ltd. and Gunnex Ltd. reported grab samples grading up to 0.90% Nb and outlined 3 areas of high Nb values that were never followed up by drilling. In 1977, as part of a geological survey of the Chapleau area for the Ontario Division of Mines, Thurston et al published data on a sample from a hematite-rich carbonate rock estimated to cover a 90m by 90m area and grading 0.47% Ce2O3 and 0.22% La2O3 where only those two Rare-Earth Elements (Ce and La) were analyzed.
Mr. John Harrop is the Company's qualified person on the Seabrook Project and as required under NI 43-101 and has reviewed the technical information contained in this press release.
Terminology used in this News Release
REE (Rare-Earth Element): any of Lanthanum (La), Cerium (Ce), Praesodymium (Pr), Neodymium (Nd), Samarium (Sm), Europium (Eu), Gadolinium (Gd), Terbium (Tb), Dysprosium (Dy), Holmium (Ho), Erbium (Er), Thulium (Tm), Ytterbium (Yb) and Lutetium (Lu) which form the Lanthanide series. Yttrium (Y) is also included as a REE.
TREO (Total Rare-Earth Oxides): The chemical component each REE is often given as an oxide rather than simple element. The combined total of La2O3, CeO2, Pr2O3, Nd2O3, Sm2O3, Eu2O3, Gd2O3, Tb2O3, Dy2O3, Ho2O3, Er2O3, Tm2O3, Yb2O3 and Lu2O3 is given as an aggregate grade summary. TREO Y indicates Y2O3has been included in the aggregate.
LREE (Light Rare-Earth Element): Elements Lanthanum to Europium
HREE (Heavy Rare-Earth Element): Elements Gadolinium to Lutetium and Yttrium.
RM (Rare Metal): A number of metallic elements not included in other groups such as REE, precious metals, base metals, etc. Although Rare Metals are not as rigorously defined as other groups and have quite different chemistry, they generally include Li, Be, Rb, Cs, Zr, Nb, Hf and Ta. Other elements are sometimes included.
ABOUT TNR GOLD CORP.
TNR is a diversified international mineral exploration company focusing on the advancement of existing properties and identifying and acquiring new prospective projects. TNR has a portfolio of 18 active projects, of which 9 rare metals projects, including Mariana, is now held by TNR's now-listed subsidiary, ILC. TNR remains a large shareholder in ILC at 28% of outstanding shares.
The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the TNR and ILC's commitments to generating projects, diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President
Statements in this press release other than purely historical information, historical estimates should not be relied upon, including statements relating to the Company's future plans and objectives or expected results, are forward-looking statements. News release contains certain 'Forward-Looking Statements' within the meaning of Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements are based on numerous assumptions and are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company's business, including risks inherent in resource exploration and development. As a result, actual results may vary materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.
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Contacts:
TNR Gold Corp.
Gary Schellenberg
President
(604) 687-7551 or 1-800-667-4470
(604) 687-4670 (FAX)
info@tnrgoldcorp.com
www.tnrgoldcorp.com