Exceptional extraction of gallium (84%) and REEs (80 – 95%) highlight the outstanding potential for Nimy to be a major supplier of these critical minerals to western markets
Key Points
- Early metallurgical testwork demonstrates high extraction of gallium and rare earth elements providing sound technical basis for process development
- Results demonstrate good extraction of both gallium (84%) and REEs (80 – 95%)
- The baseline extraction route is built on process technology and flowsheet knowledge developed by Nimy specifically for the Block 3 gallium-REE mineralisation – representing valuable intellectual property (IP)
- These results feed into beneficiation, reagent and process optimisation studies underway combining Strategic Metallurgy and Curtin University’s expertise to further enhance process performance
- Concurrently the MRIWA-Nimy-Curtin-Trailblazer project has commenced comprised of three stages:
- Stage 1: Metallurgical characterisation and beneficiation
- Stage 2: Hydrometallurgical extraction and purification of gallium
- Stage 3: Gallium compound production and flowsheet optimisation
- Testwork is ongoing to optimise this baseline flowsheet, with multiple flowsheets underway at varying levels of technical maturity with the potential to improve project economics through reduced operating costs, improved recoveries, simplified processing requirements or improved product outcomes
- The results will feed into the Block 3 Scoping Study now underway
Nimy Resources Limited (ASX: NIM or the Company) is pleased to announce strong results from metallurgical testwork on the high-grade Block 3 gallium–rare earth element (REE) Inferred Resource mineralisation at its Mons Project in Western Australia.
The results show the potential for Nimy to capitalise on the surging demand for non-Chinese sources of gallium and rare earths in North America and Europe.
Block 3 is one of the highest-grade gallium deposits in the world, with a maiden JORC Inferred Resource of 2,700 tonnes of contained gallium trioxide and 32,600 tonnes of contained total rare earths oxide using a 20g/t Ga₂O₃ cut-off grade (Table 3).
The results from the metallurgical tests will feed into the Block 3 Scoping Study now underway.
Importantly, the results also established the effectiveness of the flow sheet which Nimy has developed and is now the Company’s proprietary IP.
Nimy Managing Director Luke Hampson said:
These strong extraction results are another key milestone on the path to establishing Block 3 as a major source of much-needed gallium for western world markets.
We already know that Block 3 has a substantial resource with scope for significant growth and it is one of the highest-grade gallium deposits in the world.
Now our focus is on establishing the optimum processing route to maximise recoveries and economics through the Nimy, Strategic Metallurgy and Curtin University collaboration, tailored specifically to the unique minerology at Block 3.
This proprietary IP and process knowledge is a valuable asset for Nimy as we continue to optimise the baseline flowsheet, evaluate alternative processing routes and advancing the scoping study into potential development pathways and market opportunities for the project”
