VHM Limited (ASX: VHM) has announced successful results from the Pilot Hydromet plant, and the production of high quality Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) for the Goschen Rare Earths and Mineral Sands project.
This pilot-scale test confirmed that the Goschen Rare Earth Mineral Concentrate (REMC) is highly amenable to conventional sulphate bake processing to produce a MREC product.
Recoveries of 97% of critical light rare earths neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pd), and for critical heavy rare earths, 92% for dysprosium (Dy) and 94% for terbium (Tb) from the REMC feed are achievable using the processing pathway that has been developed at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization test facility (ANSTO).
The company have validated the flowsheet developed during the pre-pilot bench scale test work at a larger and continuous scale.
Further, previous test works of the Goschen ore body have been confirmed, that show exceptionally high extractions to water leach can be achieved with overall recovery rates to final MREC.
Final product review samples will be provided to potential offtake partners or as part of strategic partnership discussions, and the successful trial of the pilot plant is another important step along the path towards financial investment decision.
Goschen’s first production of REMC, zircon, and titania products remain on schedule for 2025 with production of MREC product to follow.
VHM managing director, Graham Howard commented, “The performance of the Pilot Hydromet plant is outstanding. I’m incredibly grateful to the team at ANSTO who have worked closely with our VHM processing team and advising consultants to reach this milestone. These recoveries are world leading and meet required specifications of Western strategic offtake partners. The success of this plant opens opportunities for VHM to partner with other industry players.”
To find out more, please visit www.vhmltd.com.au