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Operations

GWMG focuses on three core components within its integrated supply chain strategy:

1. Exploration:

GWMG has adopted the following priorities for its exploration activities:

Heavy rare earth projects,
Politically stable environments,
Potential off-take agreements wherein GWMG may or may not undertake the exploration activities itself,
Increasing the supply of feedstock for the planned Steenkampskraal processing and separation operation.

Note: In above chart, following the Leaching stage, either a carbonate or chloride can
typically be produced. In this case the product will be a chloride.

2. Mining:

GWMG’s mining plan at Steenkampskraal revolves around the following:

Refurbishment of the mine shaft and related facilities.
Readying the mine for extraction activity.
Readying the formerly producing Steenkampskraal mine for production.
Beneficiation at Steenkampskraal site to produce a mineral concentrate.
Removal of thorium in the processing stage.
Leaching to produce a liquid chloride.
Working with GQD, a China-based joint venture partner that will provide technology and expertise to the design, construction and operation of separation facilities.
The separation of the 15 rare earth elements present into oxides at the separation plant at Vredendal, in the Western Cape, South Africa.
The shipment of selected oxides to GWMG’s processing plants LCM and GWTI, to potential joint venture purchaser(s) and the remainder being sold on the open market.

3. Alloy Processing:

GWMG’s alloy processing plan includes:

GWMG’s two wholly owned subsidiaries – Less Common Metals in Birkenhead, U.K. and – Great Western Technologies Inc. in Troy, Michigan.
The development of metal making capacity.
The expansion of LCM’s alloy production capacity by 100% by 2012 and then, based on industry demand, continued expansion of capacity.

Becoming a fully integrated rare earth producer.

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Operations