VANCOUVER, April 4 /CNW/ - Tasman Metals Ltd. ("Tasman" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSM) (Frankfurt:T61) (Pinksheets:TASXF). Mr Mark Saxon, President & CEO, provides an update on the metallurgical research, drilling and environmental monitoring underway on the Norra Karr heavy rare earth element (REE) project.  Norra Karr is the only NI43-101 compliant REE resource in mainland Europe.

SGS Minerals Services of Canada are completing mineralogical characterization, concentrate preparation and hydrometallurgical testing on a 100kg sample of representative Norra Karr mineralization.  To date, QEMSCAN^TM, electron microprobe and XRD (x-ray diffraction) has been applied to characterise mineralogy and distribution of REE's and other potentially economic elements.

"This first set of robust QEMSCAN^TM mineralogical results are encouraging, demonstrating that the ore mineralogy of the Norra Karr deposit is simple, and those ore minerals are liberating efficiently during crushing", said Mark Saxon, President & CEO.  "This mineralogical knowledge is being applied to the initial phases of concentrate preparation, and roast-leach hydrometallurgical processing that are now underway."

QEMSCAN^TM results confirm that the principal REE and zirconium bearing phases are zirconium silicates.  Eudialyte is most abundant zirconium silicate comprising 4.3% of the 100kg sample, whilst secondary is catapleiite comprising 2.5%.  Zircon and other REE phases are present in only trace amounts.  Other minerals in the sample are dominated by Na-Al silicates (36%), plus nepheline/microcline (31%) and clinopyroxene (24%).

Element deportment studies are in progress, and will be reported when final results are available.  However, microprobe analyses on 13 eudialyte grains indicated an average content of 5.0% TREO* ((total rare earth oxide) * in this instance, analysis is for partial TREO only, comprised of Y₂O₃ + La₂O₃ + Ce₂O₃), 12.4% Zr₂O and 0.75% Nb₂O₃.

The liberation and association characteristics of the zirconium silicates after crushing were examined.  Particle liberation describes the degree of separation of minerals-of-interest from other minerals, based on the 2 dimension mineral-of-interest area percent.  Perfect liberation therefore equals 100%.  Liberation analysis of the Norra Karr sample indicated that in crushed material where 80% passed -150 μm, 79% of zirconium silicates were well liberated (where ≥80% of the mineral-of-interest is separated from other minerals).  This is considered to be a high and encouraging degree of liberation.

The calculation of exposed surface area of the zirconium silicates after crushing indicates that a large portion of grains (up to 94% of the mass) had a surface exposure area greater than 50%. This well exposed surface area suggests good potential for recovery, as the minerals of interest are well exposed for chemical attack and breakdown, the metallurgical effect of which must be tested with extensive research.

In Sweden, the Norra Karr Phase 3 drill program is ongoing, with 2,746m completed in 17 holes (NKA11043 in progress). The objective of this drill program is to infill sections to 100m spacing, test the deeper parts of the mineralized intrusion and obtain additional drill core for ongoing metallurgical testing. Drilling is proceeding well with the REE mineralized intrusion having been intersected in all drill holes. The mineralized intrusion has now been intercepted to a maximum down hole depth of 298.8m in drill hole NKA11040, which ended in the intrusion at the limit of the available drill rods.  The maximum down hole depth prior to this drill program was 152.5m. Assay results are pending.      

In addition, the Company has retained independent consultants to initiate environmental monitoring of water quality, flora and fauna at the Norra Karr project site and surrounding area with the objective of gathering adequate baseline information to be used in support of a filing for a Mineral Lease application.

About Tasman Metals Ltd. 

Tasman Metals Ltd is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on Rare Earth Elements (REE's) in the European region and is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "TSM".  REE demand is increasing, due to the metals unique properties that make them essential for high technology and environmentally-beneficial applications. Since over 95% of REE supply is sourced from China, the European Union is actively supporting policy to promote domestic supply of REE's, to ensure the security of high-tech industry. Tasman's exploration portfolio is uniquely placed, with the capacity to deliver "high-tech" metals from politically stable, mining friendly jurisdictions with developed infrastructure.

The Company's Norra Karr project in Sweden is one of the most significant heavy REE resources in the world, and the only NI43-101 compliant REE resource in mainland Europe.  With a TREO (total rare earth oxide) cut off of 0.4%, the Inferred Mineral Resource comprises 60.5 million tonnes grading 0.54% TREO and 1.72% ZrO2 (zirconium oxide), with 53.7% of the TREO being the higher value HREO (heavy rare earth oxide).  The resource is unusually low in radioactive metals relative to peer projects, with less than 15 ppm each of uranium and thorium.

Samples submitted by Tasman Metals Ltd were analyzed by SGS Minerals Services in Lakefield, Canada, where calibration methodology and check sampling was applied according to standard industry practice.  The qualified person for the Company's exploration projects, Mark Saxon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tasman and a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and Australian Institute of Geoscientists, has reviewed and verified the contents of this release.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Forward Looking Statements. This Company news release contains certain "forward-looking" statements and information relating to the Company that are based on the beliefs of the Company's management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company's management. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations, competitive factors, general economic conditions, customer relations, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, changes in industry practices, and one-time events.  Should any one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein.