OTHER MATERIALS

PRISM is Developing a World-Scale Portfolio of Critical Minerals

The unique properties of PRISM’s polymetallic ore presents potential for economic value in alternative markets.

An authoritative study commissioned by the Alberta Energy & Utilities Board/Alberta Geological Survey in 1999 entitled “Special Report 08 – A Study of Potential Co-Product Trace Elements Within The Clear Hills Iron Deposits, Northwestern Alberta” by Reg Olson et al. The report revealed not only the presence of gold, but many path-finder elements that are closely associated with gold and other precious metals (i.e. antimony, arsenic, barium, bismuth, mercury, selenium, and tungsten).

Canada’s has recently updated its list of critical minerals and rare-earth metals, in light of which the Clear Hills polymetallic ore should be investigated further as new characterization techniques are available that weren’t present in 2008-2011.

The image below is a QEMscan of the Densely Oolitic Iron Stone (DOIS) as described in PRISM’s NI 43-101 technical resource report.

Materials present in the PRISM ore and overburden are listed below along with possible market uses:

Silicates

  • Use of silicates for thermal energy storage blocks

  • Combining carbon into the silicates during the reduction process to add to concrete/cement as a “carbon sink”

  • Silicate sands for fracture-drilling operations

Phosphorous

The ore includes ~2% phosphates. Depending upon purity these may be value towards battery metals. Phosphates are also associated with rare earth metals such as lanthanium.

Clays

The ore body is overlain by a thick bentonite clay deposit. PRISM has identified a number of applications for these valuable clays, and will be conducting ongoing research and product development initiatives with a focus on addressing the many markets and applications available for these environmentally-friendly aggregate products.

Markets for lightweight aggregates include the construction, geotechnical, horticulture, hydroponics, filtration and decorative stone products.