DY6 Metals (ASX:DY6) has engaged Perth-based Met Chem Consulting for initial metallurgical evaluation to review historic testwork programs at the Tundulu Rare Earth Element and Niobium Carbonatite Project in Malawi.
Met Chem will also assess findings from a metallurgical report conducted in 2017.
The testwork by DY6 will focus on confirming the beneficiation results achieved by the previous laboratory. DY6 says conducting testwork at this early stage enables the company to ascertain the preliminary viability of producing two product streams.
DY6 adds the two product streams include a rare earths commercially saleable concentrate and a mixed phosphate concentrate containing rare earths.
The company has collected 63 metallurgical samples from 37 sample locations along an historic trench. The sampling intends to be representative of the mineralised bastnäesite and apatite carbonatite rock types exposed within the trench.
Historical results from the historic trench returned average grades of 7.1% phosphorus pentoxide and 1.8% total rare earth oxide across 83m.
Each sample will be analysed separately with a portable x-ray fluorescence onsite at DY6’s drill core warehouse, prior to dispatch to SGS Laboratories in Perth and South Africa.
DY6 adds that five bioavailability samples were taken across various trenches, targeting phosphate rich rocks with more than 15% phosphorous pentoxide.
Bioavailability is used for analysis on phosphorous rock sources to determine the solubility of phosphate in soils. DY6 says this analysis is useful in determining whether a particular phosphate rock type is suitable for direct fertiliser applications where it can be applied directly to the soil for uptake.
DY6 Metals is an emerging supplier of heavy rare earths and niobium. The company owns three prospective rare earths and critical minerals projects in Southern Malawi.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: DY6 Metals
