Lindian Resources Ltd (ASX:LIN, OTC:LINIF) has secured important confirmation of the nature of rare earth element (REE) concentrate from the Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) not considering it to be radioactive for transport services.
Rare earth oxide (REO) mineralisation often forms in concert with uranium and thorium, radioactive elements considered deleterious to rare earth mining due to added complications in safe extraction, handling and transportation.
LIN recently produced a total rare earth oxide (TREO) concentrate grade of 66% using gravity and magnetic separation techniques.
Confirmation that this concentrate is not considered radioactive is a major win for the company’s development plans.
“Very significant for the project”
“Having confirmation from ANSTO Minerals, the highly regarded Australian Government nuclear science and technology organisation, that the rare earth concentrate from Kangankunde is not classified as radioactive for transport purposes (ie Class 7) is very significant for the project,” Lindian Resources CEO Alistair Stephens said.
“Firstly, it confirms the greatly simplified logistics options for transport of the concentrate, and secondly, it promises a broader range of global offtake options.
“Additionally, demonstrating production of a mineral concentrate grading 66% TREO, using only mineral beneficiation techniques, demonstrates a clear advantage for Kangankunde and what it can deliver for future offtake partners.
“The company will seek to produce a concentrate grade that maximises project profitability.”
Metallurgical testing ongoing
Lindian is advancing various metallurgical testing programs at present, including pilot-scale testing of the multi-gravity separator (MGS) at Coremet (Pretoria).
The company has also dispatched drill core to Australia for metallurgical testing at ALS Metallurgy’s laboratory in Perth.
This program will cover comminution, beneficiation and determination of REO concentrate product quality.
LIN said this work would provide insight to metallurgical variability and confirm processing requirements, which were being used for process design and product marketing purposes.
“We are also pleased to report that metallurgical testing is ongoing, with multiple testing programs underway,” Stephens continued.
“The technical team is diligently working through optimising and de-risking the process scheme, which includes pilot-scale testing as well as metallurgical variability testing.
“The resulting data will be used for process engineering and design for the Stage 1 processing plant, as well as provide a basis for an ensuing feasibility assessment.
“We are encouraged with the progress being made as we ramp up project development activities and we look forward to providing a steady stream of updates as the Stage 1 project starts to take shape.”