OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) is conducting major flowsheet improvements to determine the optimal economic, scalable, and sustainable development path forward at the group’s Splinter Rock Rare Earth Project in Western Australia.
As part of an optioneering study, CPC Engineering and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) are reviewing testwork performed over the last nine months. The study is evaluating the multiple technically viable flowsheets to enable the techno economic assessment of each flowsheet.
The first outcomes of the study confirmed the inclusion of a Chlor-Alkali Facility as a key development. OD6 says the CAF facility will deliver operating cost savings and strengthen project economics.
In addition, onsite production of hydrochloric acid (HCI) and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) eliminates expensive transport of liquid reagents from Perth, which also reduces the environmental footprint.
CPC Engineering and OD6 also conducted a technical and cost review of reagent requirements and the most cost effective source for the Splinter Rock Project.
The two main reagent sourcing options include purchasing liquid HCI and NaOH from the Kwinana facility located 800km away from the project, as well as importing solar sea salt and converting it to HCI and NaOH in a CAF.
As part of the advanced metallurgical program, OD6 and ANSTO have demonstrated a multi-stage processing pathway that extracts and purifies rare earths from Splinter Rock’s clay-hosted deposits.
The flowsheet consists of heap leaching, nanofiltration, ion exchange, impurity removal, and production precipitation.
Managing Director Brett Hazelden says importantly, having a CAF onsite reduces operating costs, as well as unlocks strategic flexibility, providing two reagents required for a chloride-based solvent extraction process capable of selectively producing rare earth oxides.
“This outcome would enable 100% payability for those high-value products,” Hazelden says.
“The optioneering process is well advanced, benchmarking multiple technically viable flowsheets.”
OD6 is currently engaging drill contracts to begin a drilling program this month to conduct twin holed diamond core material of the original six holes.
The company is also continuing engagement with potential offtake partners, alongside government and potential financing partners.
The Splinter Rock Project contains an indicated resource of 119 million tonnes @ 1,632 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxide (TREO) and an inferred resource of 563 million tonnes @ 1,275ppm TREO with an overall ratio of 23% high-value magnetic rare earths.
OD6 Metals is an Australian explorer and developer focused on the critical minerals sector, primarily rare earths and copper.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: OD6 Metals
