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- Vital Metals’ (VML) test work yields encouraging results for stage two operations at the Nechalacho Rare Earths Project in Canada
- The metallurgical test work on ore samples shows potential to use a similar process flowsheet as the North T zone for the Tardiff zone
- This work also suggests including another process such as gravity and flotation separation in stage two to achieve a high-grade rare earth concentrate
- Vital expects to begin production at North T this month which will position it as the first rare earths producer in Canada and the second in North America
- Company shares are up 4.26 per cent and are trading at 4.9 cents
Vital Metals (VML) has received positive results from metallurgical test work at the Nechalacho Rare Earths Project in Canada.
The test work was conducted using ore samples from the Tardiff zone which lies within the rare earths project.
Vital conducted this work to test the amenability of ore from the Tardiff zone to the stage one flowsheet being constructed for the North T zone. The company also tested the potential to produce a product with a rare earth oxide (REO) grade of more than 35 per cent with reasonable recoveries.
Pleasingly, the metallurgical test work showed potential to use a similar process flowsheet across both of Vital’s planned stages of production — the North T zone in stage one and the Tardiff zone in stage two.
The work also indicated that an additional beneficiation step, such as a flotation plant, will be necessary for the second stage. This will significantly reduce capital costs and risk.
“The ability to utilise plant and equipment from the stage one – North T operation in stage two is critical to achieving our target of funding the development of the Tardiff zone out of stage one operating revenue,” Managing Director Geoff Atkins said.
Vital expects to begin production via ore sorting from the North T zone this month. Once in production, it will reportedly be the first rare earths producer in Canada and the second in North America.
After North T, the company plans to mine the Tardiff zone with development targeted to commence in 2025.
Company shares were up 4.26 per cent and were trading at 4.9 cents at 10:27 am AEST.
