Forum Announces Kipawa West Heavy Rare Earth Exploration Program
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA -- (Marketwire) -- 10/05/11 -- Forum Uranium Corp. (TSX VENTURE: FDC) is pleased to advise that an exploration program has commenced on its Kipawa West heavy rare earth property in southwestern Quebec, located 95 km northeast of North Bay, Ontario. The property adjoins Matamec Exploration's Zeus project in association with the Kipawa alkaline complex. The program will consist of prospecting, mapping and soil geochemical sampling to locate the source of numerous boulders containing anomalous rare earth elements discovered to the west of Matamec's Kipawa heavy rare earth deposit.
Anomalous heavy rare earth elements, grading from 1.34% to 16.77% TREO (See News Release dated July 14, 2011) were discovered by prospecting along the Kipawa alkaline complex. In the area of this discovery, Heavy Rare Earth Oxide (HREO) to Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) ratios are high, ranging from 0.8% to 57%. Forum plans to follow-up with a drill program upon completion of this program.
Forum can earn a 50 per-cent interest in the property from Aurizon Mines Ltd. by completing $200,000 in exploration in 12 months and a further $150,000 within 24 months, including 1,000 metres of drilling. Forum can increase its interest to 65% by establishing a NI43-101 resource estimate within four years of the agreement date.
About Forum's Rare Earth Portfolio
Forum identified its Nutaaq rare earth prospect in Nunavut while exploring for uranium in 2008. A detailed sampling program was completed this summer and results are expected this month. Forum initiated a search for other rare earth exploration opportunities in 2009. Jim Allan, the sole member of Forum's Rare Earth Advisory Board, identified and staked the Kipawa deposit for Unocal Canada Ltd. in 1985 and managed the initial 12 hole drill program in 1988. Mr. Allan was instrumental in the identification of the Aurizon opportunity for the Company.
Forum engaged Alex Knox (P.Geol.) and Daniel Beauchamp (P.Geol.) to consult on Forum's Nutaaq prospect and to evaluate a number of grassroots rare earth opportunities across North America for the Company over the past two years. Mr. Knox and Mr. Beauchamp are not members of any Forum advisory body and Mr. Knox will not be involved in this exploration program. Daniel Beauchamp (P.Geol.) is the Qualified Person that has reviewed the contents of this news release.
Matamec (Source: Matamec website) reports an NI 43-101 compliant resource of 8,249,000 indicated tonnes grading 0.596% TREO and 2,011,000 inferred tonnes grading 0.572% TREO at a cutoff of 0.04% TREO. The Kipawa deposit is a good source of heavy rare earth oxide and the HREO to TREO ratio is very high at 36%. Matamec is making progress on the metallurgical processing of its coarse grained rare earth deposit and plans to release a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) in the fourth quarter. It is Forum's goal to establish a NI43-101 resource in this emerging heavy rare earth potential production centre.
To view Figure 1, please click on the following link: http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/f104m.pdf
About Forum Uranium
Forum Uranium Corp. is a Canadian-based energy company with a focus on the acquisition, exploration and development of Canadian uranium and rare earth projects. Forum has assembled a highly experienced team of exploration professionals with a track record of mine discoveries and proactive community consultation. The Company has a strategy to discover near surface mineral deposits nearby existing infrastructure by exploring on its 100% owned properties and through strategic partnerships and joint ventures.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Richard J. Mazur, P.Geo., President & CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Contacts:
Forum Uranium Corp.
Matt Terriss
Director, Corporate Affairs
604-630-1585
604-689-3609 (FAX)
info@forumuranium.com
www.forumuranium.com