Key points
- Pacific Rare Earths was formed in 2018 to manage a rare earths study on rock phosphate nodules and sea floor muds on the Chatham Rise.
- A 2009 independent report filed with the Australian Securities Exchange found Korella mine holds an inferred yttrium JORC resource of 4.2 million tonnes at 746 grams Y per tonne.
- A one-tonne sample of run-of-mine Korella phosphate has been sent for pilot plant testing to prove HREE concentration using sensor-based ore sorting.
- CSIRO in Western Australia has received three sets of samples to study extraction of rare earths from Korella phosphate using biomining technology.
Chatham Rock Phosphate Ltd. has provided a further update on the activities now taking place under the umbrella of its 100-per-cent-owned subsidiary Pacific Rare Earths Ltd. (PRE).
PRE was originally formed in 2018 to project-manage a rare earths elements (REE) study on rock phosphate nodules and sea floor muds on the Chatham Rise.
PRE is now co-ordinating the scoping study for concentration of total rare earth oxides (TREO) from the company’s Korella mine and Korella South exploration area.
Three rare earth oxides, Yttrium, neodymium, and dysprosium, described as critical minerals and heavy rare earth elements, are found in abundance at Korella and Korella South as well as Chatham Rise.
Chatham’s resources:
According to an independent report filed with the Australian Securities Exchange in 2009, Korella mine has an inferred yttrium JORC resource of 4.2 million tonnes at 746 grams per Y/tonne (that is, 0.96 kilogram Y2O3/t).
Neodymium and dysprosium were also identified at that time in both overlying sediments and the phosphate.
Recent portable X-ray fluorescence analyses have shown the pervasiveness of both yttrium and neodymium in primarily the Korella phosphate.
At the same time wet chemistry analysis of Korella phosphate samples has confirmed the presence of dysprosium and anomalous concentrations of gadolinium and samarium.
Korella phosphate is the major host of the HREE.
- According to an independent report filed with the Australian Securities Exchange in 2009, Korella mine has an inferred yttrium JORC resource of 4.2 million tonnes at 746 grams per Y/tonne (that is, 0.96 kilogram Y2O3/t).
- Neodymium and dysprosium were also identified at that time in both overlying sediments and the phosphate.
- Recent portable X-ray fluorescence analyses have shown the pervasiveness of both yttrium and neodymium in primarily the Korella phosphate.
- At the same time wet chemistry analysis of Korella phosphate samples has confirmed the presence of dysprosium and anomalous concentrations of gadolinium and samarium.
- Korella phosphate is the major host of the HREE.
The current sampling and testing program for Korella and Korella South to identify all HREE will be expanded progressively to quantify resources.
Processing and enrichment
PRE recently engaged a third party to undertake sensor-based ore sorting of Korella phosphate testing in order to most effectively aid in REE enrichment.
In the first instance a 75 kg sample of overlying silicious sediments and phosphate was tested. Initial results showed that sensor-based (density criteria) ore sorting was highly effective in separating phosphate from waste.
With HREE concentrated in the phosphate, this has provided impetus to undertake further testing.
A one-tonne sample of run-of-mine phosphate has been sent for pilot plant testing to prove HREE concentration using sensor-based ore sorting technology.
Further, as recently announced, the company has engaged CSIRO (the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation) to study the extraction of rare earths from Korella phosphate using biomining technology. Three sets of samples have now been sent to CSIRO in Western Australia for the studies.
The Australian government is assisting building an on-shore REE processing capacity.
Marketing
Australia is a major non-China resource of rare earth elements, now being classified in Australia as critical minerals. Australia has recently signed critical minerals agreements with South Korea.
Other relevant international developments include the United States legislating in favour of using non-China REE in defence materiel and Japanese interests signing an agreement for exploration and joint development in Queensland.
The PRE target market will involve the sale of TREO with 50 per cent heavy rare earths content to Japan.
About rare earth elements
Yttrium, neodymium and dysprosium are the three critical minerals that are described as heavy rare earth elements.
They are present as an integral part of the technology supporting modern life. This includes magnets, computer hard drives, wind turbines, electric vehicles, lasers, TV/computer screens, exotic light sources and superconductors.
Recent market prices of these rare earth elements are:
Yttrium oxide: $12.28 (U.S.) per kilo;
Dysprosium oxide: $366.61 (U.S.) per kilo;
Neodymium oxide: $129.54 (U.S.) per kilo;
Gadolinium oxide: $66.48 (U.S.) per kilo;
Samarium oxide: $3.71 (U.S.) per kilo.
- Yttrium oxide: $12.28 (U.S.) per kilo;
- Dysprosium oxide: $366.61 (U.S.) per kilo;
- Neodymium oxide: $129.54 (U.S.) per kilo;
- Gadolinium oxide: $66.48 (U.S.) per kilo;
- Samarium oxide: $3.71 (U.S.) per kilo.
