Namibia Critical Metals has provided an update on the development of the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth project. The deposit has the potential for significant production of dysprosium and terbium, two of the most valuable heavy rare earth elements.

The Project is the company’s most advanced project being fully permitted with a mining licence issued in 2021, and is being developed in joint venture with Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (“JOGMEC”) targeting a long term, sustainable supply of heavy rare earths to Japan. SGS Minerals Services Canada (SGS) completed acid bake and leach test work on a bulk flotation concentrate which was produced by direct flotation of run-of-mine material from the Lofdal starter pit. The test results are very similar to the successful hydrometallurgical test work conducted on a flotation concentrate produced on sorter products.

“Another big milestone for the Lofdal project is completed. The test work by SGS confirmed the positive results achieved last year on the new fresh bulk sample from the Lofdal starter pit. This result will allow us to advance an assessment of large-scale production of a high purity Heavy Rare Earth Oxide product in Namibia.” commented Darrin Campbell, President of Namibia Critical Metals.

SGS used the proven hydrometallurgical flowsheet which was developed in 2021 with an acid bake to crack the main rare earth mineral xenotime, purify the pregnant leach solution and to precipitate a rare earth oxalate, which is subsequently calcined to form a product containing >98% total rare earth oxides (TREO). The acid bake process and concurrent removal of impurities is highly efficient and resulted in a >94% recovery of Dysprosium and Terbium in the leaching operation of the processing flowsheet.

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Results of the impurity removal and crude REE precipitation tests on the leached solutions are awaited to further corroborate chemistries between the test programs on the two flotation concentrates. While the results are very positive, there remains room to optimise these processes regarding OPEX and CAPEX as well as recoveries in continuous pilot plant testing during pre-feasibility study.

The addition of a hydrometallurgical plant at Lofdal would create further jobs in the southern Kunene Region of Namibia and provide a marketable product for export. The rare earth oxalate product with thorium and uranium levels below 3 ppm would be acceptable for import into Japan without restrictions or penalties.

Namibia Critical Metals owns a 95% interest in the Lofdal project with the remaining 5% held for the benefit of historically disadvantaged Namibians. The terms of the JOGMEC joint venture agreement with the company stipulate that JOGMEC provides $3,000,000 in Term 1 and $7,000,000 in Term 2 to earn a 40% interest in the Lofdal project.

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