Longonjo mine
One of London-listed Pensana’s major potential customers has approved the product qualification specifications for Longonjo’s proposed mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product.
Longonjo, in Angola, is expected to produce 20 000 t of MREC starting in 2026 and 40 000 t of MREC from 2029 onwards following the planned expansion.
The Longonjo MREC contains 50% total rare earth oxide of which 24% is neodymium and praseodymium with minimal impurities and is radionuclide-free.
“We are very pleased to receive this important product quality approval for the Longonjo mixed rare earth carbonate, which follows extensive pilot plant test work in Perth, Western Australia.
“Our understanding is that there is expected to be a shortage of high-quality, clean product coming onto the market in the near future and this puts us in a strong position when looking to secure offtake arrangements,” says CEO Tim George.
At full production, Longonjo will produce about 5% of the world production of neodymium and praseodymium in the form of an exported MREC.
Pensana also has a fully permitted $250-million downstream separation facility at the Saltend Chemicals Park, in the Humber Freeport, in the UK.
Financing for each of the Longonjo and Saltend projects is currently under way.