OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) reports that metallurgical testing on samples from its Splinter Rock Project in Western Australia can recover up to 90% magnet rare earths from multiple prospects.
Testing shows recoveries of 42% to 90% of magnet rare earths – including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium – from the Centre prospect.
Meanwhile, recoveries reached 44% to 76% from the Inside Centre prospect and 41% to 77% from the Prop prospect.
Overall, recoveries averaged 60% magnet rare earths. OD6 says recoveries for all magnet rare earths including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium are similar.
Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) is increasing in demand due to its importance in the rare earth magnets required in the motors and generators of electric and hybrid vehicles, wind turbines, and a variety of other clean energy applications.
These rare-earth magnets are 10 times the strength for the same weight as conventional magnets, and there is currently no known substitute.
OD6 selected 71 samples from a range of clays, locations and depths to better understand the potential for recovery of the valuable magnet rare earths at the two Centre and Prop prospects.
The work was being undertaken as part of a planned resource upgrade slated for release this quarter. Splinter Rock has an initial resource of 344 million tonnes @ 1,308 total rare earth oxides (TREO).
Managing Director Brett Hazelden says the results of testing align with the essential value drivers OD6 believes are crucial for the economic viability of clay hosted rare earth projects both in Australia and globally.
“The results continue to show that the Splinter Rock recoveries are as good as or better than the Brazilian clay hosted rare earth plays that have gained so much attention over the last 12 months,” he says.
“The Inside Centre recoveries of ~60% when combined with grades of between 1,400 to 2,200ppm TREO, across an extensive 2km by 1km area, with substantial thicknesses between 20 to 77m, a low stripping ratio, plus low acid consumptions continues to be a standout for the company.”
Clay hosted deposits can have advantages over their hard rock counterparts, including a higher proportion of magnet rare earths.
Hazelden says there are no private royalties over Splinter Rock and the project does not sit over farming land.
It is also located in a known wind and solar renewable energy corridor, and only a short distance to the major port of Esperance, he says.
OD6, which has a market capitalisation of $9.1 million, is undertaking further phase-four metallurgical leaching and processing optimisation work.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: OD6 Metals
