St George Mining (ASX:SGQ) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Nanum Nanotecnologia to collaborate on the commercialisation of the cerium component in the large rare earths resource at the company’s wholly owned Araxá niobium rare earth element project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
Cerium comprises about 49% and lanthanum is about 25% of total rare earth oxide (TREO) content at Araxá.
St George is currently developing proprietary technology for the separation of the cerium and lanthanum from Araxá as part of the company’s downstream strategy to upgrade the concentration of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) and heavy rare earth in the rare earth product produced.
The separated cerium will then be available for manufacturing as a commercial product, which the company sees as adding significant value to the project.
The collaboration between St George and Nanum includes metallurgical testwork by St George on the rare earth materials from Araxá in order to maximise the recoveries of cerium and magnet/heavy rare earth elements.
The two parties will also conduct a review of the proposed technology for the production of cerium products, as well as a review of the processing flowsheet for the production of rare earths products with the aim to commercialise the cerium.
Both companies will also engage in a review for marketing strategies for the cerium products with a view for Nanum to secure a long-term offtake contract.
Executive Chairman John Prineas says that the magnet and heavy rare earths from Araxá a key driver for the operation overall.
“The opportunity to also monetise the cerium component of the Araxá rare earths deposit can add material value to a potential mining operation at Araxá,” Prineas says.
“Nanum is an industry leader in nano particles technology and a standout example of Brazil’s ability to be at the forefront of innovation for modern technologies.”
St George is focused on developing critical minerals projects in both Brazil and Western Australia.
Write to Amy Rotman at Mining.com.au
Images: St George Mining
