Markets

Rare Earth Minerals' 333pc rise after name change puts Aim under fresh scrutiny
What's in a name? About 10m, according to investors in Aim-listed Rare Earth Minerals Plc, whose share price rose 66pc yesterday.

Rare Earth Minerals' new website can still be found at www.zestmusic.com By Rowena Mason, Energy Correspondent 6:00AM GMT 31 Dec 2010
18 Comments
The company, which does not yet own any rare earth minerals or licences to mine them, was a loss-making music business called Zest until eight days ago.

It has not revealed how it plans to acquire any of the minerals on which China has a near monopoly. Nor has it disclosed the countries where it is targeting acquisitions with just 630,000 of cash in the bank.

However, since it proposed the name change on November 12, its share price has more than quadrupled from 0.35p, valuing it at 3.1m, to 1.52p, valuing it at 13.5m.

The rise is likely to raise further questions about the London Stock Exchange's governance of the AIM market - three years on since Roel Campos, an SEC commissioner, described the junior market as a "like a casino".

It has been under renewed scrutiny since Desire Petroleum's wild share spikes earlier this month. A spokesman for AIM declined to comment on whether the regulatory team is looking into Rare Earth Minerals

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One broker said: "It is penny stock madness, a herd mentality, though I'm not sure what they're trying to cash in on. It is just like a type of dotcom boom situation."

At the height of the dotcom boom, a string of cash shells - companies with a stock market quote but no actual business - listed on AIM. The value collapsed when the bubble burst, prompting the LSE to change its rules.

TD Waterhouse, the retail broker, said Rare Earth Minerals was its most traded stock yesterday, with the most buy orders and fourth most sell orders. "It's the first time I've ever seen it appear in the top ten," a spokesman said.

More than 143m shares changed hands, despite no new publicly available information.

The only announcement the company has made recently has been the award of 98m share options to "directors, staff , consultants and advisors" at 0.5p, redeemable in ten years.

The company's shares also rose sharply in January, when it appointed David Lenigas, a veteran of the world of penny stocks, as a non-executive. He is one of only two board members at Rare Earth Minerals and disclosed he was a director of 94 other companies including Solo Oil, Vatulouka Gold Mines and LonZim.

Last year, a study by Manchester Business School found AIM companies were no more likely to fail than those on other markets. However, they had more chance of survival if older, bigger, had a greater free float and a reputable nominated advisor.

Rare Earth Minerals was unavailable for comment.

std risks for rem..
Requirement for further funds
The existing resources of the Company may not be sufficient for the future working capital requirements of the Company or allow the Company to exploit new opportunities. It may therefore be necessary for the Company to raise further funds in the future, which may be by way of issue of further Ordinary Shares on a non pre-emptive basis. Although it is the Company's intention to issue Ordinary Shares to satisfy all or part of any consideration payable on an acquisition, vendors of suitable companies or businesses may not be prepared to accept Ordinary Shares at the quoted market price.

Market information and nature of Ordinary Shares
The market price of the Ordinary Shares may not reflect the underlying value of the Company's net assets. Potential investors should be aware that the value of shares can rise or fall and that there may not be proper information available for determining the market value of an investment in the Company at all times. An investment in a share which is traded on AIM, such as the Ordinary Shares, may be difficult to realise and carries a high degree of risk. The ability of an investor to sell Ordinary Shares will depend on there being a willing buyer for them at an acceptable price. Consequently, it might be difficult for an investor to realise his/her investment in the Company and he/she may lose all of his/her investment.

Risks relating to the Company and its business
An investment in the Company is speculative and involves a high degree of risk. Future results, including resource recoveries and work programme plans and schedules, will be affected by changes in market conditions, commodity price levels, political or regulatory developments, timely completion of exploration programme commitments or projects, the outcome of commercial negotiations and technical or operating factors.

Initial operational risks
The Company will initially be dependent upon the ability of the Directors to identify suitable investment opportunities and implement the Company's strategy. During this identification process, resources may be expended fruitlessly on investigative work and due diligence.

AIM
There can be no assurance that an active trading market for the Ordinary Shares will be maintained. AIM is a market for emerging or smaller growing companies and may not provide the liquidity normally associated with the Official List or other exchanges. The future success of AIM and liquidity in the market for the Ordinary Shares cannot be guaranteed. In particular, the market for the Ordinary Shares may be, or may become, relatively illiquid and therefore the Ordinary Shares may be or may become difficult to sell.

Share Price Volatility and Liquidity
The market price of the Ordinary Shares could be subject to significant fluctuations due to a change in investor sentiment regarding the Company or the industry in which the Company operates or in response to specific facts and events, including positive or negative variations in the Company's interim or full year operating results and business developments of the Company and/or competitors. The market price of the existing Ordinary Shares may not reflect the underlying value of the Company and it is possible that the market price of the Ordinary Shares will trade at a discount to net asset value. Potential investors should be aware that the value of shares and the income from them can go down as well as up and that investment in a share which is traded on AIM might be less realisable and might carry a higher risk than a share quoted on the Official List.

No Dividends
The Company has not paid any dividends on its Ordinary Shares. Any decision to pay dividends on its Ordinary Shares in the future will be dependent upon the financial requirements of the Company to finance future growth, the financial condition of the Company and other factors which the Board of Directors may consider appropriate in the circumstances.

i am all rem'ed out for now!! have a good evening all..

Exploration and Development
Exploration for REM is highly speculative in nature, involves many risks and frequently is unsuccessful. There can be no assurance that exploration efforts will result in the discovery of mineralisation or that any mineralisation discovered will result in reserves. If reserves are developed, it may take a number of years and substantial expenditures from the initial phases of drilling until production is possible, during which time the economic feasibility of production may change. No assurance can be given that exploration programs will result in reserves or that reserves may be economically mined. The long term profitability of the Company's operations will be in part directly related to the cost and success of its exploration programs, which may be affected by a number of factors that are beyond the control of the Company.

Estimates of Mineral Resources and Production Risks
Any mineral resource estimates provided by the Company will be estimates only, and no assurance can be given that any proven or probable reserves will be discovered or that any particular level of recovery of minerals will in fact be realised or that an identified reserve or resource will ever qualify as a commercially mineable (or viable) deposit which can be legally and economically exploited. In addition, the grade of mineralisation which may ultimately be mined may differ from that indicated by drilling results and such differences could be material. Production can be affected by such factors as permitting regulations and requirements, weather, environmental factors, unforeseen technical difficulties, unusual or unexpected geological formations and work interruptions. Any estimated mineral resources provided by the Company in future should not be interpreted as assurances of commercial viability or potential or of the profitability of any future operations.

Environmental Factors
Subject to the adoption of the New Investing Strategy and investments being made, the Company's operations will be subject to environmental regulation in the various jurisdictions in which it operates. Environmental legislation is evolving in a manner which will require stricter standards and enforcement, increased fines and penalties for non-compliance, more stringent environmental assessments of proposed projects, and a heightened degree of responsibility for companies and their officers, directors and employees. There is no assurance that future changes in environmental regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company's operations or result in substantial costs and liabilities to the Company in the future. Furthermore, environmental hazards which are unknown to the Company at present and which have been caused by previous or existing owners or operators may exist on properties that the Company acquires.

Title to Assets and Claims Titles and Indigenous Rights
The Company's title to its properties may be subject to disputes or other claims including indigenous land title claims. Although the Company will exercise the usual due diligence with respect to determining title to properties in which it wishes to acquire a material interest, there is no guarantee that title to such properties will not be challenged or impugned. There may be valid challenges to the title of the Company's properties, which, if successful, could impair the Company's ability to explore, develop and/or operate its properties or to enforce its rights with respect to its properties. Indigenous rights and title may be claimed with respect to the Company's properties or other types of tenure with respect to which mining rights have been conferred. In addition, other parties may dispute the Company's title to the properties in which it has an interest and such properties may be subject to prior unregistered agreements or transfers or land claims by indigenous persons, and title may be affected by undetected encumbrances or defects or government actions. An impairment to or defect in the Company's title to its properties could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, such claims, whether or not valid, will involve additional costs and expenses to defend or settle which could adversely affect the Company's profitability.

Dependence on Key Employees
The Company's future growth and its ability to develop depend, to a significant extent, on its ability to attract and retain highly qualified personnel. The Company will be highly dependent on the principal members of its senior management group and the loss of their services might impede the Company's business strategy and growth. The loss of one or more key employees could have an adverse effect on the growth and profitability of the Company. Given the increased activity in the resources area, there is intense competition for skilled mining personnel.

Financing Risks
The Company has limited financial resources and has no assurance that additional funding will be available to it for further exploration or to fulfil its obligations under any applicable agreements. Failure to obtain such additional financing could result in delay or indefinite postponement of further exploration plans.

Metal Prices
The Company's revenues, if any, are expected to be derived, in due course, in large part from the mining and sale of REM. The price of those commodities has fluctuated widely, particularly in recent years, and is affected by numerous factors beyond the Company's control, including international economic and political conditions, expectations of inflation, international currency exchange rates, interest rates, global or regional consumption patterns, speculative activities, levels of supply and demand, increased production of REM due to new mine developments and improved mining and production methods, availability and costs of metal substitutes, metal stock levels maintained by producers and others and inventory carrying costs. The effect of these factors on the price of rare earth, base and precious metals and minerals, and therefore the economic viability of the Company's operations, cannot be accurately predicted.

Regulations and Mining Law, Governmental Regulation
Mining operations and exploration activities are subject to extensive federal, provincial, state and local laws and regulations governing exploration, development, production, taxes, labour standards, occupational health, waste disposal, protection and remediation of the environment, reclamation, mine safety, toxic substances and other matters. Compliance with such laws and regulations increases the costs of planning, designing, developing, constructing, operating and closing mines and other facilities. It is possible that the costs and delays associated with compliance with such laws and regulations could become such that the Company would not proceed with or would postpone the development and operation of a mine or mines. Exploration, development and mining of properties in which the Company has an interest will be affected to varying degrees by: (i) government regulations relating to such matters as environmental protection, health, safety and labour; (ii) mining law; (iii) restrictions on production; price controls; tax increases; (iv) maintenance of claims; (v) tenure; and (vi) expropriation of property. There is no assurance that future changes in such regulation, if any, will not adversely affect the Company's operations. Government approvals and permits are required in connection with the exploration activities proposed for the properties in which the Company has an interest. To the extent such approvals are required and not obtained, the Company's planned exploration, development and production activities may be delayed, curtailed, or cancelled entirely. Failure to comply with applicable laws, regulations and requirements may result in enforcement action against the Company, including orders calling for the curtailment or termination of operations on the properties, or calling for corrective or remedial measures requiring considerable capital investment. Parties engaged in mineral exploration and mining activities may be subject to civil and criminal liability as a result of failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations. Amendments to current laws, regulations and permitting requirements affecting mineral exploration and mining activities could have a material adverse impact on the Company's operations and prospects.

Permits and Licences
The operations of the Company may require licences and permits from various governmental authorities. Obtaining the necessary governmental permits is a complex and time-consuming process involving numerous jurisdictions. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to obtain all necessary licences and permits that may be required to carry out exploration, development and mining operations at its projects.

Infrastructure
Mining, processing, development and exploration activities depend on adequate infrastructure. Reliable roads, bridges, power sources and water supply are important determinants, which affect capital and operating costs. Unusual or infrequent weather phenomena, sabotage, government or other interference in the maintenance or provision of such infrastructure could adversely affect the Company's operations, financial condition and results of operations.

Nature of Operations
The realisation of amounts shown for resource properties is dependent upon the discovery of economically recoverable reserves, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary financing to develop these properties, and future profitable production or proceeds of disposition from these properties.

Operating Hazards and Risks
Mineral exploration and mining involves many risks, which even a combination of experience, knowledge and careful evaluation may not be able to overcome. The work which the Company proposes to undertake will be subject to all the hazards and risks normally incidental to exploration, development and production of resources, any of which could result in work stoppages and damage to persons or property or the environment and possible legal liability for any and all damage. Fires, power outages, labour disruptions, flooding, explosions and cave-ins, are risks involved in the operation of mines and the conduct of exploration programs. Although the Company will, when appropriate, secure liability and property insurance in an amount which it considers adequate, the nature of these risks is such that liabilities might exceed policy limits, the liabilities and hazards might not be insurable, or the Company might elect not to insure itself against such liabilities due to high premium costs or other reasons, in which event the Company could incur significant costs or uninsured losses that could have a material adverse effect upon its financial condition.

Competition
The mineral industry is intensely competitive in all its phases. The Company will compete with many companies possessing greater financial resources and technical facilities than itself for the acquisition of mineral concessions, claims, leases and other mineral interests as well as for the recruitment and retention of qualified employees. The Company's inability to compete with other mining companies could have a material adverse effect on the Company's results of operations and business.

Uninsured Risks
In the course of exploration, development and production of mineral properties, certain risks, and in particular, unexpected or unusual geological operating conditions including rock bursts, cave-ins, fire, flooding and earthquakes may occur. It is not always possible to fully insure against such risks as a result of high premiums or other reasons. Should such events arise, they could reduce or eliminate any future profitability and result in increasing costs and a decline in the value of the Company's Ordinary Shares.

Risks Associated with Conflicts of Interest
Certain of the Company's directors and officers also serve as directors and/or officers of other companies or other managerial positions involved or related to natural resource exploration and development and consequently there exists the possibility for such directors and officers to be in a position of conflict. Any decision made by any of such directors and officers involving the Company will be made in accordance with their duties and obligations to deal fairly and in good faith with a view to the best interests of the Company and its Shareholders as a whole. In addition, each of the Company's directors is required to declare any interest in any matter in which such directors may have a conflict of interest in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Companies Act 2006 and other applicable laws.

Political, economic and regulatory regime
Projects in which the Company invests are likely to be in jurisdictions outside the United Kingdom and accordingly there will be a number of risks which the Company will be unable to control. Whilst the Company will make every effort to ensure it has robust commercial agreements covering its activities, there is a risk that the Company's activities will be adversely affected by economic and political factors such as the imposition of additional taxes and charges, cancellation or suspension of licences, expropriation, war, terrorism, insurrection and changes to the laws governing mineral exploration and operations. There is also the possibility that the terms of any licence the Company may acquire may be changed.

Currency Risk/
Currently the Company's majority of its costs and revenues are denominated in Pounds. As the Company moves forward with the proposed investing policy it may becomes more exposed to volatility in currencies fluctuation. This may result in additions to the Company's reported costs or reductions in the Company's reported revenues.

Due diligence costs
The Company may incur costs in conducting due diligence into potential opportunities that may not result in an acquisition being made.

Nice post Gibby covers just about everything out there at the moment !!
Me I think its all down to Lenigas and Rowan, do you trust them ? I vote yes at this time.

Rare Earth inerals are a no brainer if you got em you'l make money but as of yet we have none, theres the question however, these boys have plenty of links to various mining outfits and do you reckon they will come up with a deal or two ?

If they do then this share rockets no problem, so back to my initial question do you trust them to come up with the deals, me yes for sure , all points to these guys coming u with the goods why else would they bother, they have plenty of other interests to keep them busy.

cheers shanks - trust lenigas & rowan - lol they are businessmen........ but if they make me cash let them get on with it - i am in another company linked to lenigas - otc - ortac - very good price right now - bit of history:

2/8/10

TEMPLAR MINERALS(0.92p)which has not exactly been a roaring success so far is now trying it's luck on ORTAC.David Lenigas is stepping down as a Director:-

Templar Minerals reverse takeover of Ortac Resources.
StockMarketWire.com
2/8/10

TEMPLAR MINERALS is to acquire Ortac Resources for 7.5 million.

The Company will assume responsibility for the discharge of Ortac's liability to Tournigan Energy under the Tournigan Share Purchase Agreement.

Furthermore, the Company will be responsible for ensuring that the outstanding payment obligation of US$1.9 million to Tournigan by Ortac is met and therefore the total effective consideration will be approximately 8.7m.

Ortac's principal asset is the Kremnica Gold Project and it also has 100 per cent ownership interests in seven other licences in the east of Slovakia.

The acquisition constitutes a reverse takeover and the Board intends to change the name of the company to Ortac Resources.

Ortac is a gem - but i am sure you have seen it already

i think rem will eventually come good - but i do place in the high risk category - hoping rem will drop some more before topping up - lots of opportunities about right now

gl

DJ Rare Earth Minerals PLC Acquisition of Interest in Canadian Properties

TIDMREM

RNS Number : 8634F

Rare Earth Minerals PLC

04 May 2011

Rare Earth minerals plc

Acquisition of Interest in Canadian Properties

Rare Earth Minerals (AIM: REM) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement to acquire interests in 5 claims (No's S111889 to S111893) in Saskatchewan, Canada . The claims are situated in the Mudjatik domain, an area which has seen several periods of intensive exploration activity and hosts many interesting mineral showings. The claims consist of 3 separate groups totaling approximately 4,855 hectares in area. They are located in north central Saskatchewan and range from 5 to 16 kilometres west of a major highway and power facilities.

Under its agreement with the individual vendors of the interest ('the Cup Lake Syndicate'), Rare Earth Minerals may earn up to a 51% interest in the above mentioned properties after having paid a cash settlement of $50,000 USD and incurring exploration expenditures of at least $30,000 within 3 months. The Cup Lake Syndicate will act as the operator of an initial sampling program and will produce a report within 30 days of completion of this program. After review of this report, Rare Earth Minerals may elect to further participate in the development of these properties on a pro rata basis or alternatively, to not participate, in which case interest will be reduced to zero.

The Cup Lake deal is the first Rare Earth Minerals investment since the Company shareholders resolved on the 29(th) November 2010 to adopt a change in investing policy to acquire a diverse portfolio of direct and indirect interests in exploration and producing Rare Earth Minerals and/or Metals projects and assets.

The agreement is conditional, inter-alia, on REM being satisfied with the title to the claims and the parties have agreed to use best efforts to have a final agreement confirming a closing date by 15 June 2011.

Background of the area;

During the 1950's exploration of was concentrated only on the accessible and mapped areas of the time. The focus was solely for uranium and was met with some success as uraninite showings were identified in numerous instances. In the 1960's exploration surged again, this time prospecting centered around the search for base metals and much of the area was flown with geophysical surveys. Drilling was undertaken and some anomalous nickel assays were obtained in core assays.

It was during these periods of exploration for other minerals that the potential for rare earth elements ("REE") was revealed. Monazite and allanite bearing porphyry dykes and irregular masses up to 30 feet wide were discovered, both have the potential for hosting heavy rare earth elements. Occurrences such as these suggest there may be sufficient mineralization in the area to support complex pegmatites hosting many types of rare earths. Drill and assay results

I wonder exactly what expertise the Directors and hangers-on posess? If they were really tallented, wouldn't they be working in a senior position for one of the majors?

Or were they drifing about from student-sit-ins and led a hippy lifestyle... only to awaken + reappear just at the time minerals have become a traded commodity?

I think the company name should be ****poles.

- but no doubt many have made money out of other so-called investors.

The stock is all-but-back to the launch price.

Made a fortune at christmas with this stock. Did not have anything to do with minerals at that time. Were they not a record company.

Nice candle.



Camelot Trust Corporation Limited >17.3%

great day :-)))

htt the next rem lol!!

Sold a little bit of Coms today first thing to go into REM and REM went up..makes a change for me but both Coms, REM & CHA looking good!

Held up well...!

it has and up again today - maybe go into the .2 range today / tomorrow
lenigas has struck lithium which retails 5000 to 6000 / ton
gl

Yes, still looking good, I'm up x 3 on my initial (small) outlay and 50% up from a second purchase yesterday...onwards and upwards... I hope!

Well done sh.

More good news released this morning... now waiting on the estimates to be released within sereral weeks.... onwards and upwards!
Rare Earth minerals plc

("Rare Earth Minerals", "REM" or "the Company")


Final Drill Results Mexico Lithium Project



Rare Earth Minerals (AIM: REM) has received final analytical results for drill core from its Fleur-El Sauz Lithium Project in northern Mexico. The results provide continued firm evidence that Fleur-El Sauz has potential to be part of a major high grade lithium discovery.



In addition to the assay results shown below, the Fleur - El Sauz deposits identified to date remain open on strike and at depth.



Highlights:



· REM intersects significant lithium values in both Upper Clay and Lower Clay Units in all drill holes of the first phase programme conducted at its Fleur - El Sauz Lithium Project.



· All ten diamond drill holes, ES-01 to ES-10, show a 4 kilometre strike length for the lithium clay units on the concessions.



· Intervals with significant lithium (greater than 1,000 ppm Li) average 18.27 metres and 27.62 metres in true thickness for the Upper and Lower Clay Units, respectively.



· Preparation of a maiden lithium resource estimate is now underway, with results from this study expected within the next several weeks.





David Lenigas, the Company's Chairman commented:



"REM is pleased to report that the final holes confirm the extension of mineralisation through the Fleur - El Sauz licences and increase the potential of outlining a new and substantial lithium deposit.



"The total known world resource of lithium metal is estimated to be only just over 30 million tonnes, with total world annual production expected to rise from the current 150,000 tonnes of Lithium Carbonate Equivalent ("LCE") to 300,000 tonnes by 2020. The majority of current world production is based on brine pumping from Salars in South America, and deposits in China and Australia.



"Lithium is an important metal in today's quest for energy and energy storage solutions, for example in the fast-growing electric car market. To be part of this discovery is a very exciting prospect for the Company. The substantial amount of lithium-bearing clays present also represents an interesting opportunity for supply to the oil industry since these clays are becoming increasingly necessary for HTHP drilling muds now being used in deep oil and gas wells and for fracking.



"We are very pleased with the lithium grades obtained to date and widths of intercepts of the clay units in the holes. These results continue to demonstrate the persistence of the lithium-bearing clay units onto the joint venture lands and highlight the potential for a significant lithium resource to be outlined. The results from drilling are consistent with the mineralisation in the adjoining La Ventana deposit to the north-west. REM's management expects to provide an initial resource estimate within the next several weeks."



"REM will have 14 days after receipt of the initial resource estimate from Bacanora Minerals Ltd. ("Bacanora") to give final notice to increase its holding from 10% to 30% of the Fleur-El Sauz Joint Venture, under existing agreements with Bacanora."

Highlights:

· REM intersects significant lithium values in both Upper Clay and Lower Clay Units in all drill holes of the first phase programme conducted at its Fleur - El Sauz Lithium Project.

· All ten diamond drill holes, ES-01 to ES-10, show a 4 kilometre strike length for the lithium clay units on the concessions.

· Intervals with significant lithium (greater than 1,000 ppm Li) average 18.27 metres and 27.62 metres in true thickness for the Upper and Lower Clay Units, respectively.

· Preparation of a maiden lithium resource estimate is now underway, with results from this study expected within the next several weeks.

SP reacting nicely this morning

SP still looking strong....

fantastic day

atb