Bayan Mining and Minerals (ASX:BMM) has commenced a three-month phase one research program at the University of Queensland (UQ) to evaluate its exclusively licensed yttrium upgrade processing technology patent.
Led by Professor James Vaughan and the university’s hydrometallurgy research group, the program aims to evaluate and optimise the patented ion exchange process originally developed by the Colorado School of Mines (Mines).
The research will assess the patent’s applicability across representative rare earth process streams using synthetic solutions derived from Mary Kathleen tailings that are doped with yttrium and select heavy rare earths.
Testing will evaluate resin loading, rare earth selectivity, and yttrium recovery under conditions consistent with the patented process.
CEO Nathan Kong says the program marks an important step in the company’s strategy to build upon work started by Mines.
“By partnering with UQ’s hydrometallurgy research group, we are aiming to generate the independent, high-quality technical data required to optimise the yttrium upgrade patent and position the technology for pilot-scale assessment,” Kong says.
“The ability to selectively upgrade yttrium and heavy rare earths from mixed rare earth streams is increasingly strategic for both commercial and defence supply chains.”
Bayan notes data generated from the phase one program will inform the design basis, scale, and configuration of a subsequent pilot-scale program.
The company holds exclusive licences to four rare earth processing technologies originally developed by Mines, covering leaching, beneficiation, yttrium upgrade, and ancylite processing methods.
Bayan Mining and Minerals is an explorer focused on sourcing critical minerals for the US clean energy and tech sectors.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Images: Bayan Mining and Minerals
