Hi Ausheds,Just as the size of the grade is nearly irrelevant...

Hi Ausheds,

Just as the size of the grade is nearly irrelevant except that the size of the resource must be able to economically spread the capital costs it is the same with the grade of the ore.

We know that the grade of Charlie Creek can be increased from 0.03 to between 2-12% by gravity concentrating with spirals (washing).

The question becomes in a comparison between Mt Weld and Charlie Creek is not grade or size of resourece but cost to seperate the individual rare earth elements, both fixed and variable costs, in comparison with the value of the basket of ore.

To get that 9.6% grade ore out of Mt Weld it requires the ore to be removed from a hard rock resource. The ore then needs to be crushed and still a percentage of material containing the ore will still be contained in or with the rock. How deep was the Mt Weld ore? Because the cost of removing that material you can add that to the costs too. Restoration cost will also be more expensive at a hard rock mine.

To get the 2 - 12% grade of ore out of Charlie Creek only needs to be washed. No need to crush the ore and the compounds containing the rare earths Monazite and Xenotime are mixed but not joined. Further the ore is contained from the surface. The alluvium left after the gravity concentrating can be replaced nearly immediately reducing costs.

Besides the rare earths being contained in Monazite and Xenotime as they are only mixed therefore the concentrate that can be created can be increased to greater grade by dry processing to over 40%, thus reduced processing costs.

There are a lot of unknowns but the management of CUX have stated the costs of obtaining the wet processed ore of 2-12% will be less than hard rock mines with grades of ore .5 - 15%. So taking management at their word I think Mt Weld will be shown not hold a candle on Charlie Creek as a resource.

Further, the TREO at Charlie Creek is not only contained in a favourable materials for processing they will be contained in a high concentrate meaning less material needs to be processed for obtaining the seperate elements. Threfore less costs. This will mean either a higher price should be obtained for the concentrate by a take-off partner or cheaper cost for processing.

In summary Ausheds, I think your conclusion is the wrong way around and strictly on a resource comparison basis Mt Weld will be found not to hold a candle on Charlie Creek.

Thanks for the best wishes for the NY and the same to yourself along with the other valued CUX posters.

Cheers