Name of the Project
Browns Range heavy earths pilot plant development project.

Location
Western Australia.

Client
Northern Minerals.

Project Description
The project has been separated into three development stages and enables Northern Minerals to test the process and market the mixed rare-earth carbonate product, then develop the project to bankable feasibility study (BFS) level and finally build the full-scale operation.

Stage 1 includes the construction of a three-year, 60 000 t/y pilot plant operation. It will comprise an opencut mining operation, with processing through a beneficiation and hydrometallurgical pilot plant to produce 49 000 kg/y dysprosium, in 590 000 kg/y total rare-earth oxide (TREO) contained in a mixed rare-earth carbonate. This stage is important to derisk the operation by testing the process and improving knowledge of grade control and the poject’s geology.

Stage 2 involves developing the project to BFS level, based on the definitive feasibility study completed in March 2015; and the results of the studies, announced on August 27, 2015, aimed at reducing mining costs, boosting production, producing a premium product and increasing the ore reserve.

The final stage involves building the project to full-scale production based on the successful outcomes of stages 1 and 2. Once at full-scale, the project will process 585 000 t/y to produce 279 000 kg of dysprosium contained within 3 098 000 kg/y TREO (before yttrium rejection) in a mixed rare-earth carbonate.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create 50 construction jobs and 45 ongoing operational positions.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Value
The project has a capital cost of A$56-million.

Duration
Construction of Stage 1 is expected to take about nine months once product offtake and funding is in place.

Latest Developments
The Browns Range heavy rare earths pilot processing plant has officially been opened, with the project also officially being the first producer of heavy rare earths outside of China.

The pilot plant is expected to produce 573 000 kg of mixed heavy rare-earth carbonate containing terbium and dysprosium as revenue products over a three-year period.

The first heavy rare-earth carbonate production from Browns Range is slated for the September quarter.

Key Contracts and Suppliers
MACA (bulk earthworks), Primero (turnkey solutions provider) and Sinosteel MECC (engineering, procurement and construction contract).

On Budget and on Time?
Not stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
Northern Minerals, tel +61 8 9481 2344, fax +61 8 9481 5929 or email info@northernminerals.com.au.