Tasman announces filing of NI 43-101 Technical Report on Pre-Feasibility Study for the Norra Karr heavy rare earth element project in Sweden

VANCOUVER, March 20, 2015 /CNW/ - Tasman Metals Ltd. ("Tasman" or the "Company") (TSXV:TSM) (Frankfurt:T61) NYSE-MKT: TAS).  Mr Mark Saxon, President & CEO, announces that the Company has filed on SEDAR and EDGAR, the National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report (the "NI 43-101 Technical Report") in support of the Company's news release dated January 21, 2015.  The NI 43 101 Technical Report provides results of the recently completed positive Pre-Feasibility Study (the "PFS") for the 100% owned Norra Karr heavy rare earth element (REE) deposit in Sweden.    

The NI 43-101 technical report can be accessed from the Company's website at www.tasmanmetals.com, under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or through EDGAR at www.sec.gov.  The PFS confirms Norra Karr to be an economically robust project, with a long mine life, and the capacity to be a major producer of the most critical REE's, dysprosium (Dy), yttrium (Y), neodymium (Nd) and terbium (Tb). 

As previously reported, PFS highlights include:

• After-tax Net Present Value (NPV) of US$313 million using a 10% discount rate
• Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 24% pre tax and 20% after tax using a 10% discount rate
• Initial capital cost of US$378 million including contingency – low for long mine life heavy REE producer
• Major exposure to the most critical REE's, with 74% of revenue from magnet metals Dy, Nd, Pr, Tb, Sm
• Norra Karr is the only REE project at PFS stage within the European Union
• Project able to produce more than 200 tonnes of dysprosium oxide per year for at least 20 years
• Unconstrained mine life is in excess of 60 years with extensive mineralization below and along strike from 20-year pit
• No requirement in flowsheet or economic model for proprietary or commercially untested technologies

Tasman is now focused on process optimization of the existing flowsheet, with numerous opportunities relating to process improvements and cost reductions available. 

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, has reviewed and verified the contents of this news release.

About Tasman Metals Ltd. 

Tasman is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company focused on critical metals including REE's, tungsten and chromite 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 80% of REE and 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.  The Company'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.  The Company is now focused on the safe, sustainable and responsible development of its Scandinavian mineral portfolio.

On behalf of the Board,

"Mark Saxon"             
Mark Saxon, President & 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 the Company 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.

Cautionary Statements. Certain statements found in this release may constitute forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements reflect the speaker's current views with respect to future events and financial performance and include any statement that does not directly relate to a current or historical fact. Such statements reflect the current risks, uncertainties and assumptions related to certain factors including, without limitations, competitive factors, general economic conditions, customer relations, uncertainties related to the availability and costs of financing, the interpretation and actual results of the Norra Karr PFS, changes in corporate goals, unexpected expenditures, unexpected geological conditions, success of future development initiatives, imprecision in resource estimates, ability to obtain necessary permits and approvals, relationships with vendors and strategic partners, the interest rate environment, governmental regulation and supervision, seasonality, technological change, changes in industry practices, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, environmental and safety risks, 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. Forward-looking statements cannot be guaranteed and actual results may vary materially due to the uncertainties and risks, known and unknown, associated with such statements. Shareholders and other readers should not place undue reliance on "forward-looking statements," as such statements speak only as of the date of this release.

SOURCE Tasman Metals Ltd.

Investor Information: www.tasmanmetals.com, 1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7, Company Contact: Mariana Bermudez [phone], Email: [email protected]