Building a world-class supplier of critical rare earth …...Building a world-class supplier of...
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Building a world-class supplier of critical rare earth metals
June 2015
Enabling green technologies through a reliable supply of rare earth metals
TSX: QRM
Forward Looking Statements Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes “forward-looking statements”within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievement of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.
Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
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Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Estimates of Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resources
This presentation uses the terms “Measured, “Indicated”and “Inferred” Resources. U.S. investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. “Inferred Resources” have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an inferred resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. U.S. investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource exists, or is economically or legally mineable.
National Instrument 43-101
This presentation may include historical reserve and resource information in respect of the project areas that do not conform to the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 and which has not been verified by the Company.
DisclaimerForward-Looking Statements
A Profound Transformation is Occuring inOur Modern Economy
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Modern economies are evolving from a vegetal basis to a mineral basis.
Permanent Magnets
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…recognition that responsibility towards the environment cannot be eschewed is spurring green technological innovations
Wind Turbines Automotive
Consumer Electronics Industrial
What are rare earth?
First uses in:
• Lantern mantle
• Flint stone
• Today:
• Magnets for motors and generators
• Fluorescent lamps and LED
• Gasoline refining
• Phones and screens5
Rare earth uses: magnets
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Lighting and catalysis
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Permanent Magnets
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And more Permanent magnets applications are being developed
Siemens' lightweight 260kW motor
“Researchers at Siemens have developed an electric motor that weighs just 50 kilograms, yet delivers a continuous output of about 260kW –about five times more than conventional drive systems of a similar weight.”
Aircraft Engines
Flight testing scheduled before the end of 2015
Source: Siemens AG
Permanent Magnets
9Source: Deutsche Bank
0
5,000
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
30,000
35,000
40,000
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018
REE
to
nn
es
Rare Earths in Permanent Magnets
Wind Turbines Automotive Consumer electronics Industrial
11% CAGR
…are essential for the efficiency of a wide array of green technology applications
REO (MT) 2014 2020 2030
Dysprosium 1,200 2,000 3,250
Neodymium 21,000 36,500 57,000
Praseodymium 7,000 12,000 19,000
Terbium 60 160 250
Gadolinium 600 1,000 1,600
Samarium 1,200 1,600 2,500
Market Value* (US$) $2.6 bil $4.6 bil $7.1 bil
Rare Earth Demand
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Demand growth for permanent magnets will drive growth for critical rare earth metal oxides
* Based on March 2015 prices
27%
15%
33%
4%
17%
4%
HREE ~27%
1%
34%
49%
4%
12% 1%
HREE ~1%
7%
24%
43%
5%
18%
3%
HREE ~7%
A Strong Competitive Position
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Heavy Rare Earths Lanthanum Cerium Praseodymium Neodymium Samarium
Molycorp(Mountain Pass)
Lynas(Mount Weld)
Quest Rare Minerals(Strange Lake)
Avalon(Nechalacho)
44%
12%
28%
3%
11% 3%
HREE ~44%
• Quest’s HREE+Y content in head grade is substantially larger than current producers and peers, with ~44% HREE+Y
• Industry is facing a scarce supply of HREE+Y
• Demand for HREE+Y is growing faster than LREE
• LREE: Over-supply when Molycorp and Lynas are at full production
Source: Quest PEA March 2014, Molycorp 2012 Annual Report, Avalon FS April 2013, www.lynascorp.com
A Strong Competitive Position
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Financial difficulties
* Weighted average price based on target output and March 2015 prices
Quest’s business is measurably different from that of Molycorpand Lynas
$47.96
$19.46
$33.04
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
Quest Molycorp Lynas
Basket Price*
146%
45%
Both Molycorp and Lynas
• High production costs
• Product mix weighted to low value light rare earths
Can
$/k
g
Solid Economics
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Quest is profitable even at cyclical low prices
Quest Basket Price = weighted average price of Quest REO output, C$1.10 exchange rate
$96
$61
$46 $48
$70
$61 $62
$0
$10
$20
$30
$40
$50
$60
$70
$80
$90
$100
Aug-12 Aug-13 Aug-14 Mar-15 PEA StormCrow
Adamas
Cn
$ /
kg
Quest Basket Price
ACTUAL PROJECTED
LOM Avg Income Statement (C$) with 2014 Prices
Revenues $507 mil
COGS $356
Gross Margin $151
Overheads $17
EBIT $134
EBITDA $200
Quest’s ProjectQuest has more than 60 years of supply
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DomainTonnes LREO
(Recoverable)
HREO+Y(Recoverable)
TREO+Y(Recoverable)
HREO+Y:TREO+Y
(x1000T) (x1000T) (x1000T) (x1000T) Ratio
Indicated
Enriched Zone 20,020 92 69 161 43%
Granite 258,108 909 407 1,315 31%
Total 278,128 1,001 475 1,477 32%
Inferred
Granite 214,351 755 307 1,062 29%
Strange Lake B Zone Mineral Resource Estimate (Recoverable REE)
>100 yrs
Quest 43-101 April 9, 2014– B-Zone Resources estimated by Micon at Aug 31, 2012, assumes production of 11,000 Mt of REO per yr
0
20
40
60
80
100
La Pr Sm Gd Dy Y Tm Lu U Nb Si FeM
etal
Ext
ract
ion
(%
)0
20
40
60
80
100
La Pr Sm Gd Dy Y Tm Lu U Nb Si Fe
Me
tal E
xtr
ac
tio
n (
%)
Quest’s Extraction ProcessSimple, Low Technical Risk and Environmentally Sound
Selective Thermal Sulphation (STS)
• STS reduces recovery of Zr, Nb, Fe, and Ti into the leach solution (PLS)
• Low free acid PLS (pH = ~2)
• High quality PLS - Low impurity
• Negligible Si in PLS
• Dramatically simplified hydrometallurgical flow sheet without solvent extraction (SX) to produce mixed REE oxide
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Unselective process
low quality leach
solution
Metal Extraction Plot for STS Process and Water Leach
Quest STS process high
quality leach solution
Unselective Process Metal
Extraction
Quest STS Process Metal
Extraction
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Quest’s Mixed Rare Earth Oxide Product
• 98.4% TREO mixed rare earth oxide produced at bench scale at SGS
• Like Strange Lake ore, product is ~40% Heavy REO
• Product greatly exceeds Chinese refinery impurity specifications (92% TREO, 6,350 ppm Al)
• With addition of heavy metal precipitation and better control of oxalic acid dosage, product expected to meet extremely stringent non-Chinese specification
Analyte UnitBench scale testing result
(SGS COX2 Calcine)Mass balance projection
Non-China Spec Maximum Allowable
Th ppm 5.4 2.4 11.0
U0 ppm 140.2 3.6 3.8
Al ppm 53.8 1.0 500.0
Fe ppm 71.0 0.3 1,000.0
Mg % 0.006% 0.000% 0.6%
Ca % 0.145% 0.011% 1.0%
Na % 0.008% 0.002% 1.0%
F ppm 101.58 367.28 1,000.0
Zn ppm 711.06 0.00 50.0
TREO % 98.4% 99.7% NA
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Quest’s Key Process Steps
PURE METAL OXIDES
LAC BRISSON BÉCANCOUR, QUEBEC
TransportAcid bake (600C) & leach
Precipitation Separation/ Refining
BeneficiationMine Recycled
Mine output varies to achieve
constant flotation concentrate
volume and grade
20% Mass pull
Transport of flotation
concentrate
Input of recycled material
Simplified process to produce a relatively pure REE concentrate
Separation into individual pure metal oxides
Material Flow
(MT/Yr)
3,550,000 Mined
material
1,850,000Mill feed
300,000Flotation
concentrate
~10,000 recycled
phosphor material
11,270Mixed REE concentrate
11,050 Pure REO
Lac Brisson Mine Site - Quest
Open pit
Mid-grade pile
Waste rock pile
TailingsDry stack
Mill and Concentrator
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Flotation REE slurry concentrate
Water / agent
Reject slurry
Add cement
De-water
Dry stack tailing
De-water
Ship con to VB
Mining rock
Crushing-wet milling
No dust
Separation of REE minerals from granite gangue
20% REE concentrate80% gangue
Negative water balance = no water discharge into environment
Tailings management at Lac Brisson
DRY STACK PROCESS
• Flotation reject de-watered
Water back into process
• Damp reject material mixed with cement
• Concrete stacked in contained site
Rain water on tailing site contained and monitored
If required can be treated
• This is not a tailings pond
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Quest’s ProjectA limited Environmental Footprint
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• Wind power at the mine site
• 80% of mined material kept in the North, only 20% transported to the South
• Recycling / recovery of sulphuric acid in the processing
• Processing located at a designated industrial park in Becancour• Simple process with minimal residue (dry stacked, no tailings pond)
• Recycled florescent lamp material mixed with the mined material at Becancour• First such recycling facility in North America
Quest’s Execution Plan
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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Updated PFS Bankable
Feasibility Study
Production
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)
Full Piloting
FEL3 / Basic Engineering –North & South
Impact and Benefit Agreements
Construction
Commission
Government & Community Support
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Quest’s Project involves the following government authorities:
Federal
Quebec
Newfoundland and Labrador
Nunatsiavut
Kativik
• Numerous consultations with Federal, Quebec and NFLD governments
• Early engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders
• Joint Quest – Becancour Committee including community leaders and representatives
All levels of government have been receptive and supportive of Quest’s Project and have provided constructive comments on the draft Project Descriptions
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Quest’s Current Development Work
Reduced operating costs
• Mining, beneficiation, transport
Lower capital cost at Bécancour
Beneficiation
Further evaluation of ore sorting at pilot scale
• Reduce grinding cost
Flotation – reconfirm REE recoveries at scale
• Target 80% TREO recovery at 20% Mass Pull
Selective Thermal Sulphation
Reduction of acid dosage and consumption
Evaluate higher leaching pulp density
Hydromet
Confirm heavy metal sulphide precipitation
Recovery and recycle of oxalate
Cerium separation
Reduced operating costs
• Acid bake water leach (ABWL)
Reduced operating costs
• Hydromet
Lower separation capital & operating costs
Summary / Corporate Strategy Objectives
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• Become a world-class producer of rare earth oxides for the permanent magnet industry
• Provide key permanent magnet customers with a secure and growing supply of rare earth oxides from a stable political and legal jurisdiction
• Be a structurally low cost producer of rare earth oxides
• Execute all operations to the highest environmental standards and in a socially responsible manner
• Be a catalyst to the establishment of an alternative rare earth supply chain – from mine to end use – in Canada, ideally centered in Quebec
Contact Information
Dirk Naumann
Quest Rare Minerals Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
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Corporate Office
1155 University StreetSuite 906Montreal, Québec HB3 3A7
Tel: (514) 878-3551
Toll Free: 1 (888)878-3551
Fax: (514) 878-4427