Tasman completes drill program for bulk metallurgical sample at Norra Karr Project, Sweden

VANCOUVER, Dec. 9, 2014 /CNW/ - Tasman Metals Ltd. ("Tasman" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSM) (Frankfurt:T61) NYSE-MKT: TAS).  Mr Mark Saxon, President & CEO, is pleased to announce the completion of a drill program to collect a representative metallurgical sample at the 100%-owned Norra Karr heavy rare earth element (REE) project in Sweden.  In addition, guidance on the imminent completion of the Norra Karr Preliminary Feasibility Study ("PFS") is provided.

The recent diamond drill program has delivered approximately 8 tonnes of large diameter core that will be used for additional metallurgical test work during 2015.  The cost of this drill program was borne by the EURARE project, of which Tasman is a research partner.  EURARE is a research project co-funded by the European Commission under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (Grant Agreement NMP2-LA-2012-309373).  

An array of shallow holes each 83.7mm in diameter and up to 12m in length was drilled across an area approximately 250m x 550m.  The Norra Karr REE deposit begins at surface with a width of 350m, a length of 800m lying typically beneath less than 1 metre of soil cover, making representative sample collection by such drilling both simple and cost effective.

"The collection of this large metallurgical sample places Tasman in a good position for the ongoing optimization of our process flowsheet during 2015" said Mark Saxon, Tasman's President and CEO.  "We certainly appreciate the funding contribution of the European Commission via the EURARE project for this work, and their on-going interest in development of a European REE supply chain." 

Tasman and its consultants are now approaching completion of the PFS on the Norra Karr project.  The PFS is substantially complete, with only financial modeling and final validation to be completed.  Release of the results of the PFS is anticipated for January 2015. 

Norra Karr is unusually rich in the heavy REE dysprosium (Dy) that is essential to high strength permanent magnets which operate at elevated temperature.  Recent upwards price movements in Dy (eg SMM Information and Technology, 5/12/14) and the long term growth forecast for permanent magnet consumption of 5-10% provides a positive background for the release of this PFS.

Mr Saxon continues "After the challenging market conditions of 2014, the Tasman team is looking forward to taking the next steps in project development during 2015, with our PFS in hand and improving market conditions for REE's."

Norra Karr lies 15km NNE of the township of Gränna and 300km SW of the capital Stockholm in mixed forestry and farming land, and is secured to Tasman with a 25-year Mining Lease.  The project is proximal to road, rail, power and operating ports, plus skilled personnel, minimizing the need for offsite infrastructure to be built by the Company. 

Tasman's Qualified Person, Mr. Mark Saxon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tasman and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and verified the contents of this news release.

About Tasman Metals Ltd. 

Tasman is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on critical metals including Rare Earth Elements (REE's) and tungsten (W) in Scandinavia. Tasman is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TSM" and the NYSE-MKT under the symbol "TAS".  REE and tungsten demand is increasing, due to the metals' unique properties that make them essential for high technology and industry.  Since over 95% of REE and 80% of tungsten supply is sourced from China, the European Commission promotes policy to develop domestic supply of critical metals to ensure the security of industry.  Tasman receives research funding from the European Commission.

Tasman's exploration portfolio is uniquely placed, with the capacity to deliver strategic metals from politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions with developed infrastructure and skills.  The Company's Norra Karr and Olserum projects in Sweden are two of the most significant known heavy REE resources in the world, enriched in dysprosium, yttrium, terbium and neodymium.  The Company is now focused on the safe, sustainable and responsible development of its Scandinavian mineral portfolio.

About EURARE 

The EURARE project has received funding from the European Community's Seventh Framework Programme ([FP7/2007-2013]) under grant agreement n°309373. This publication reflects only the author's view, exempting the Community from any liability". Project web site: www.eurare.eu.

On behalf of the Board,

"Mark Saxon" 
Mark Saxon, President & CEO

The TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange), the NYSE - MKT nor the Frankfurt Stock Exchange accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Cautionary Note to U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources and Reserves. In this news release, the definition of "mineral resources" is that used by the Canadian securities administrators and conforms to the definition utilized by CIM in the "CIM Standards on Mineral Resources and Reserves – Definitions and Guidelines" adopted on August 20, 2000 and amended December 11, 2005.

The standards employed in estimating the mineral resources referenced in this news release differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and the resource information reported may not be comparable to similar information reported by United States companies.  The term "resources" does not equate to "reserves" and normally may not be included in documents filed with the SEC.  "Resources" are sometimes referred to as "mineralization" or "mineral deposits."  While the terms "mineral resource", "measured mineral resource", "indicated mineral resource" and "inferred mineral resource" are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, they are not defined terms under standards in the United States and normally are not permitted to be used in reports and registration statements filed with the SEC. The terms "mineral reserve," "proven mineral reserve" and "probable mineral reserve" are Canadian mining terms as defined in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") and the CIM - CIM Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, adopted by the CIM Council, as may be amended from time to time by the CIM. These definitions differ from the definitions in the United States Securities and Exchange Commission Industry Guide 7 ("SEC Industry Guide 7") under the Securities Act of 1933. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or prefeasibility studies, except in rare cases. Disclosure of "contained ounces" in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute "reserves" by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

The estimation of measured, indicated and inferred mineral resources involves greater uncertainty as to their existence and economic feasibility than the estimation of proven and probable reserves.  U.S. investors are cautioned (i) not to assume that measured or indicated resources will be converted into reserves and (ii) not to assume that estimates of inferred mineral resources exist, are economically or legally minable, or will be upgraded into measured or indicated mineral resources.  It cannot be assumed that the Company will identify any viable mineral resources on its properties or that any mineral reserves, if any, can be recovered profitably, if at all. As such, information contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein concerning descriptions of mineralization and resources under Canadian standards may not be comparable to similar information made public by United States companies in SEC filings.

Cautionary Statements. Certain statements found in this release may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect the speaker's current views with respect to future events and financial performance and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations, competitive factors, general economic conditions, customer relations, uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing, unexpected geological conditions, success of future development initiatives, the interpretation and actual results of the Preliminary Feasibility Study, imprecision in resource estimates, ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, changes in industry practices, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, environmental and safety risks, and one-time events.  Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially due to the uncertainties and risks, known and unknown, associated with such statements. Shareholders and other readers should not place undue reliance on "forward-looking statements," as such statements speak only as of the date of this release. Except as required by law, Tasman disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities law.

SOURCE Tasman Metals Ltd.