­ Commerce Resources Corp. provided an update on the metallurgical programs focused on upgrading the Ashram Deposit's fluorspar component to acid-spar grade. The Ashram Deposit is one of the largest rare earth deposits being advanced globally, and the Ashram Deposit's fluorspar component also ranks as one of the largest fluorspar deposits globally. The company is engaged in a targeted mineral processing program at Hazen Research, CO, USA with the objective of unlocking the full value of the fluorspar component for the Ashram Project. In addition to the test work focused on upgrading of the current flowsheet's fluorspar concentrate, an alternative complimentary approach has also been pursued at the very front-end of the flowsheet. This test work includes a coarser-grind followed by a fluorspar pre-float as an initial beneficiation step to isolate a sizable portion of the fluorspar prior to material entering the primary REE recovery flowsheet. The company reported that the Phase I component of this fluorspar pre-float work program has now concluded. The Phase I program objectives included scoping flotation tests to identify a favourable reagent scheme as well as mineralogical work required to define the Phase II program, which will focus on removing impurities in order to obtain the proper acid-grade specifications as requested by industry. The Company is encouraged by the Phase I results, where mineralogical analysis concludes that the majority of the pre-float concentrate's fluorspar is present as liberated grains, suggesting favourable conditions for conventional physical separation methods to be carried-out in Phase II. Fluorspar prices remain robust ($400 to $500 USD/t), underpinned by strong market demand and long-term fundamentals from the steel and chemical industries. It is an essential raw material to the industry that is consumed during use and therefore cannot be recycled, resulting in new production being required over time to meet global demand. Acid-spar (>97% CaF2), accounting for roughly two-thirds of the market, is primarily used to manufacture hydrofluoric acid (HF) and subsequent fluorochemicals, which are used in a variety of modern consumer products including an estimated half of all new medicines (Roskill, 2019). Acid-spar is also used in the production of aluminum metal, to reduce process temperatures and energy consumption, and is also a key raw ingredient of materials used in enhancing the operational performance of lithium-ion batteries. Met-spar (>60% CaF2), accounting for roughly one-third of the global fluorspar market, is primarily used as a flux in the steel making process to lower the melting temperature, as well as to reduce slag viscosity and remove impurities. Met-spar is also used as a flux in the cement industry to speed up the calcination process. Similar to the prevailing dynamics for rare earth elements, China was historically the largest exporter of fluorspar. However, in the last 3 years, China has become a net importer. This has caused significant price appreciation for fluorspar, and market interest from industry in new sources.