ABx Group (ASX:ABX) has received confirmation from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) that the second mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) produced from Deep Leads is exempt from radiological control.
This second MREC recorded lower in radioactivity levels than the maiden product. ABx notes that this exemption from radiological control is critical to minimising regulatory compliance requirements for shipping and end-use. It also allows broader options for blending MRECs from multiple sources.
The low radioactivity levels mean that the company is well placed to meet the most stringent customer requirements, providing greater market access for ABx.
The company has continued to focus on customer engagement as well, distributing 10-gram samples of MREC to six potential customers in Australia and North America, and noting that feedback has been positive to date.
Customer feedback indicated that the product is of ‘high purity’ and suitable for processing, with customers working to develop collaborative supply pathways.
ABx currently has 90 grams of its second MREC sample, with the company intending to distribute sub-samples to a broader group of prospective customers.
Managing Director and CEO Dr Mark Cooksey says that the results continue to show the “outstanding characteristics” and quality of ABx’s MREC product.
“The maiden MREC already met exemption criteria for radiological control,” Cooksey says.
“To achieve an even lower level of radioactivity in the second MREC is an outstanding outcome and further enhances the attractiveness of the product for downstream customers.
“Many rare earth projects contain significant levels of uranium and thorium, which can introduce complexity, cost, and risk into mining, processing, and downstream refining, not to mention transport. Deep Leads is different.
“The positive feedback received from potential customers is highly encouraging and we look forward to expanding our customer evaluation program with the second MREC product.”
ABx continues to advance its commercialisation activities, with a focus on the distribution of samples from the second MREC, engagement with potential offtake and other partners, economic studies, and continued exploration work throughout the tenement area to expand the resource size.
ABx Group is focused on delivering materials for a safer, cleaner future through heavy rare earths, clean fluorine chemical production, and near-term bauxite production.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: ABx Group
