Highly Successful Rare Earth Column Leach Tests

Outstanding results have been obtained from two column leach tests conducted by ANSTO. Both column tests achieved more than 80% extraction of total rare earths excluding cerium, including over 70% extraction of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb), the two most sought after heavy rare earths.

These results are even better than we expected, as these extractions are even higher than achieved in previous tank leaching tests.

Given the strong customer interest in a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) from the Deep Leads resource, ABx is likely to engage ANSTO to produce another MREC sample from the product solutions from these column leach tests. This should be very similar to the maiden MREC sample produced in December: a very high proportion of heavy rare earths such as Dy and Tb, and low impurities. 

The results from these column leach tests will inform process flowsheet studies being conducted with engineering partners.