Buffet Chairman Of Eramet / France Had Interview With Pressmen In Tokyo- Project To Develop Rare Metals In Gabon Is Proceeding

摘要

Mr. Patrick Buffet, Chairman and CEO of Eramet in France, came to Japan and had an interview with pressmen on the 6th of July at Hotel Okura in Tokyo. At this meeting, Buffet Chairman explained about the Eramet Group's activities as follows ; (1) Mabounie Project to develop rare earths in Gabon - (1-1) investigating to develop such rare earths as niobium and tantalum in Gabon and scheduled to commence these productions in 2018 to 2020, (1-2) to apply for hydrometallurgical process, (1-3) already carried out in 2011 the test productions on a small scale in France, (1-4 ) planned to construct a demonstration plant in Gabon and to implement the test on a commercial scale in 2014 with an expectation to see its results in 2015 and (1-5 ) to require in advance the removal of uranium and thorium and to introduce the technology for separation developed by Areva.