Mineralization Confirmed In Underground Workings At Sheep Creek


VANCOUVER - US Critical Metals Corp. and US Critical Materials Corp. reported on the underground channel sampling completed at the Sheep Creek Rare Earth Project in southwestern Montana. The sampling was completed in Adit #1 and Adit #3 which were developed in the late 1950's for niobium mineralization by the Continental Columbium Company. Until now, the workings have not been accessed and evaluated for rare earth mineralization. A total of 23 samples were collected and described by the Partners, and were analyzed by Activation Laboratories (Actlabs), located in Ancaster, Canada.

Highlights from Underground Sampling Program: 1) A total of 23 carbonatite samples confirmed rare earth mineralization with grades up to 102,293ppm (10.23%) Total Rare Earth Elements (TREE) (Sample #720), including 13,940ppm (1.39%) combined neodymium and praseodymium, which are the most sought after of the Light Rare Earth Elements ("LREE") group. 2) Underground results reveal an average of 50,400 (5.04%) TREE, including an average combined 6,721ppm (0.67%) neodymium and praseodymium. These grades are consistent with the surface sample results and therefore suggest uniformity in the TREE content of the carbonatite bodies. 3) The carbonatites within the Sheep Creek mine workings are strongly enriched in LREE with an average value of 5.03% compared to 121.6ppm for Heavy Rare Earth Elements (HREE). 4) Preliminary geologic mapping has tentatively connected several of the carbonatite bodies suggesting continuity over several hundred meters. The exposures sampled in the adits are likely contiguous with surface exposures, a vertical distance of about 50 meters. Expanding both dimensions will be the focus of a drilling program.

James Hedrick, President, said, “The combination of surface and underground sampling gives us an indication that mineralization could be contiguous, and in combination with detailed mapping, will form the basis of our Phase I drill program. These results continue to support our geologic thesis and significantly advance our ability to generate high quality drill targets."