RB Energy Confirms Continuous Lithium Carbonate Production
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Jun 5, 2014) - RB Energy Inc. (the "Company" or "RBI" or "RB Energy") (TSX:RBI)(OTCQX:RBEIF) is pleased to confirm that it has achieved continuous production of battery grade lithium carbonate (99.9% Li2CO3) at its 100% owned Quebec Lithium operation located at La Corne, Quebec.
An initial shipment of finished product to our principal offtake partner, Tewoo, was scheduled for the beginning of this week. However, after further discussions with Tewoo it has been decided to delay the commencement of sales shipments until lithium carbonate production has reached 55 metric tonnes per week to confirm product quality consistency and to maximize shipping efficiencies. Accordingly, our efforts remain focused on continuing the commissioning process towards achieving this production level. In the meantime, shipments of larger samples to Tewoo and other customers continue on a regular basis.
Quebec Lithium remains on track to achieve commercial production levels by the end of the 3rd Quarter and "name plate" production (20,000 tonnes per annum) by the end of 2014.
Commenting on product shipment scheduling, Richard Clark, Pres. and CEO, stated:
"We are very excited to have achieved continuous production of high grade battery product at Quebec Lithium. We are now focused on increasing production levels, firstly towards meeting the initial shipping volumes required by our offtake partner Tewoo, secondly to reach commercial production levels and finally, to realize the design production threshold of 20,000 tonnes per annum. The commissioning process is on schedule and we will continue to keep the market updated with regular progress reports."
About RB Energy Inc.
RBI currently owns Aguas Blancas, a producing iodine mine in northern Chile, and Quebec Lithium near La Corne, Quebec. The Aguas Blancas operation is in production. The Quebec Lithium operation has completed construction and is in the commissioning phase. For more information regarding RBI, please refer to its public filings available at www.sedar.com.
The technical contents of this release have been reviewed by Mr. Kevin Ross, Eur. Ing., a Qualified Person pursuant to NI-43-101. Mr. Ross is Chief Operating Officer of the Company and a Member of The Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain information contained in this news release, including any information relating to the state of the lithium and iodine industries; statements regarding our ability and the timing to achieve and sustain commercial production and name-plate production levels of iodine; our ability to secure commercial orders from our customers; and our ability to become a material player in the lithium market are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the Company's expectations regarding the future growth, results of operations, business prospects and opportunities of RBI. These forward-looking statements also reflect the Company's current internal projections, expectations or beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company. In some cases forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. The estimates and assumptions of RBI underlying the forward-looking statements in this news release may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions upon which such forward looking information include, among other things, successful and timely commissioning, ramp-up and production at the Québec Lithium Project; the lack of any further significant capital expenditures during the commissioning stage or to bring the hydrometallurgical process plant into production; the continuing support and cooperation of RBI's off-take partners; as well as financial predictions premised on such assumptions. Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on reasonable assumptions, readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking information. RBI expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
On behalf of the Board,
Richard P. Clark, President and CEO