• Total Measured and Indicated (M&I) oxide resources increase 65%, from 571 million pounds to 944 million pounds of contained Rare Earth Oxide (REO)
• Total high-grade M&I oxide mineral resources of 14.7 million tons grading 3.22% REO at 1.5% cutoff grade
• Includes a high-grade core M&I resources of 6 million tons grading 4.72% REO at 3% cutoff grade that could support an initial higher-grade, lower production scenario and transition into full plant capacity and lower initial capital cost
• Includes high-grade Indicated (I) oxide mineral resource at the HREE-enriched Whitetail Ridge deposit of 2.25 million tons grading 2.61% REO at 1.5% cutoff grade

Lakewood, Colorado—Rare Element Resources Ltd. (NYSE MKT: REE and TSX: RES) announced a 65% increase to its total Measured and Indicated (M&I) rare earth elements (REE) resources estimate at the Bear Lodge Project, from 571 to 944 million pounds of rare earth oxide (REO). The updated NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate includes the first Indicated resource at the HREE-enriched Whitetail Ridge deposit and high grades of Critical Rare Earth Oxides (CREOs) in all deposits.

 
Randall J. Scott, President and Chief Executive Officer stated “We are extremely pleased with the meaningful increase in our estimated M&I resource at Bear Lodge. Our work in 2012 resulted in a much larger quantity of REE resource, confirmation of the peripheral zones of HREE-enrichment, and highlights the significance of this growing world-class source of CREOs. The increased M&I resource will be incorporated into the upcoming Feasibility Study, which is on schedule to commence in mid-2013.”

 
Critical Rare Earth Oxides (CREO)

 
Critical rare earth oxides (CREOs) are those with the highest value, and for which the strongest future growth is projected. We refer here to the oxides of Nd, Pr, Eu, Tb, Dy, and Y as CREOs. The resource estimates for the Greater Bull Hill and Whitetail Ridge REE deposits show high grades for all of the CREOs. The Whitetail Ridge deposit is particularly enriched in the HREE component of the CREOs as well as the exploration targets located further to the west.

Resource Estimate

The updated resource is derived from an REE drill hole database that includes 216 core holes and 16,920 assay samples, completed by the Company between 2008 and the end of 2012. The estimate includes deposits in the Greater Bull Hill area and the HREE-enriched Whitetail Ridge deposit. The drilling indicates significant potential for further expansion of all resources, including additional HREE-enriched resources at the Whitetail Ridge deposit and nearby targets.