OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) has selected a preferred flowsheet for the Splinter Rock Rare Earths Project in Western Australia with the aim of producing mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) and mixed rare earth hydroxide (MREH).
The company engaged the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to conduct metallurgical testwork through its CPC optioneering study.
The innovative process flowsheet includes a MREC recovery of around 56% total rare earth oxide (TREO), and a MREH recovery of around 59% TREO.
The study intends to optimise heap leaching, impurity removal verification using nanofiltration recovery, and ion exchange selectivity.
OD6 says that this framework intends to achieve around 75% of neodymium and praseodymium recovery.
Managing Director Brett Hazelden describes initiating the preferred flowsheet framework as a “major milestone” for the project and the company.
“This outcome provides confidence in our ability to produce a high-value, low-impurity MREC or MREH product that is highly attractive to global supply chains,” Hazelden says.
“With this stage complete, we now move into large-scale testwork at ANSTO and commence mining studies at the Inside Centre Deposit.
“Importantly, discussions with potential offtake partners, separation facilities, end-users and governments continue to reinforce the strategic value of Splinter Rock.”
As reported by Mining.com.au in a quarterly review of the rare earths market, OD6 is currently conducting a metallurgical diamond core drilling at its cornerstone rare earth deposit, Inside Centre within the Splinter Rock Project.
The company intends to produce 1kg of MREC in bulk samples for ANSTO ahead of advancing offtake talks.
Located 150km2 northeast of the Esperance region, across a 2,579km2 tenement package, the Splinter Rock Project hosts a JORC-compliant resource of 682 million tonnes @ 1,338 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxide.
OD6 Metals is an Australian explorer pursuing development opportunities across the critical minerals sector, prioritising rare earths and copper exploration.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: OD6 Metals
