Great Western Minerals Forms Rare Earths Agreement with Ganzhou Qiandong of China

Great Western Minerals Group, a Saskatoon-based integrated rare earths processor, announced that it has negotiated a Heads of Terms agreement with Ganzhou Qiandong Rare Earth Group Ltd. of China (GQD) to build a rare earth separation plant in South Africa, located near Great Western’s Steenkampskraal operation. A new joint venture company, Great Western GQD Rare Earth Materials Co. Ltd., will be created in which Great Western will hold 75% ownership while GQD will hold the remaining 25%. The joint venture will be responsible for the design, manufacture, construction, commissioning and operation of the planned separation facility. Great Western Minerals specializes in alloys used in the battery, magnet and aerospace industries. Ganzhou Qiandong processes rare earth oxides.