Tasman And Flinders Mutually Agree to End Merger Negotiations
Vancouver, Canada
Tasman Metals Ltd. (“Tasman”) (TSXV: TSM) (Frankfurt: T61) (NYSE-MKT: TAS) and Flinders Resources Limited (TSXV: FDR) (“Flinders”) announce that negotiations with regard to the previously disclosed potential merger of the two companies (see joint press release dated 12 December 2013) has concluded, with a decision to not proceed. This decision not to proceed with the merger was taken mutually by the Boards of Directors of both companies, after discussion with various stakeholders including shareholders and customers.
Tasman’s primary focus is the Norra Kärr rare earth element (REE) deposit in central-southern Sweden, one of the world’s largest known heavy REE projects, with additional work underway on the nearby Yxsjöberg tungsten project, historically northern Europe’s largest tungsten producer. Flinders is developing the Woxna flake graphite deposit in central Sweden, and is on target to become the first TSX Venture Exchange listed company to produce and sell graphite, scheduled for the 3rd quarter 2014.
Mark Saxon, Tasman’s President & CEO states, “With Tasman’s management focused on delivery of a pre-feasibility study on one of the world most significant heavy REE deposits, the Board has chosen to conclude merger discussions with Flinders at this time. Both companies have numerous milestones over the remainder of 2014 and are reviewing many growth opportunities. We wish Flinders all the best with the imminent Woxna mine re-start, and will watch Flinders develop with much interest.”
Blair Way, Flinders’ President & CEO states, “With July scheduled for the re-start of graphite production from the Woxna project, it is important that we stay focused to ensure we deliver on this milestone. We wish Tasman success for their pre-feasibility study on the Norra Kärr rare earth project.”
In addition to developing the above major assets, management of each company continues to review opportunities and assets that can complement existing business strategies and corporate skills.
For additional information, please contact:
Jim Powell
Telephone: +1 647 478 5806
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 and a qualified person as defined under NI 43 101, has reviewed and verified the contents of this news release.
Flinders’ Qualified Person, Mr. Michael Hudson, a Director of Flinders, a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists and a qualified person as defined under NI 43 101, has reviewed the scientific and technical disclosure in this news release.
About Tasman Metals Ltd.
Tasman is a Canadian mineral 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. Tasman’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. Tasman is now focused on the safe, sustainable and responsible development of its Scandinavian mineral portfolio.
About Flinders Resources Limited
Flinders is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol FDR and owns 100% of the Woxna Project, a unique and strategic European graphite project in central Sweden. The Woxna Project, with rated capacity of 10,000+ tonnes per year of flake graphite, operated from 1996 to 2001 when production was halted due to falling graphite prices. Since then, the Woxna Project has been placed on care and maintenance.
Materially better graphite prices today and forecast growth in graphite demand is why Flinders is in the process of re-starting the Woxna Project. The Woxna Project is fully permitted and requires moderate capital investment to restart the facility and commence production. The Woxna Project is unique due to its high quality large graphite flake, long life expandable resource, first class existing infrastructure, potential to upgrade to value added lithium battery graphite and its strategic position within the European Union.
On behalf of the Board of Tasman Metals Ltd.,
“Mark Saxon”
Mark Saxon, President and CEO On behalf of the Board of Flinders Resources Limited,
“Blair Way”
Blair Way, President and 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 Tasman 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.