ABx Group (ASX:ABX) has announced that the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) has produced the second mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) sample from ABx’s Deep Leads resource in northern Tasmania.
The sample was produced from the leachate that was generated in their recent column leach testwork.
The current sample of MREC contains higher proportions of some of the most valuable heavy rear earths, including dysprosium and terbium, with significantly lower amounts of impurities such as aluminium and iron.
Managing Director Mark Cooksey says that the recent work “is another example of the high purity MREC that can be produced from Deep Leads using the simple three-step process that has been used commercially for many decades”.
“Significantly, it indicates that ABx can produce a high quality MREC using either a tank leach or a column leach. This provides ABx with broad flexibility and scope for project optimisation.”
The material for the MREC sample is from a 100kg bulk sample taken from trial pit DLP002 at Deep Leads.
This sample allows for ABx to now provide more samples to prospective customers and offtake partners and provides ABx with additional input for their current engineering studies.
Rare earth refineries are currently seeking high quality MRECs with high proportions of heavy rare earths such as dysprosium and terbium due to their supply risks.
ABx notes that the company has achieved high extractions at ambient temperatures and pressures using minimal amounts of acid within a short time, leading to lower costs and lower impurities.
The MREC produced also has higher proportions of dysprosium and terbium as mentioned, and with magnet rare earth prices remaining high, there is a significant premium for rare earth sources coming from outside of China.
ABx is currently in discussions with potential offtake partners, having already executed a memorandum of understanding with Ucore Rare Metals (TSX-V:UCU)
ABx Group is focused on delivering materials for a cleaner future with priority projects in heavy rare earths, clean fluorine chemical production, and near-term bauxite production.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: ABx Group
