- Nimy Resources metallurgical testwork returns 84% gallium and 80–95% rare earth extraction
- Baseline flowsheet incorporates proprietary IP developed specifically for Block 3
- Results will feed into optimisation work and the Block 3 scoping study now underway
Special Report: Nimy Resources has provided an initial processing route for its Mons gallium and rare earths project in WA, with metallurgical testwork from Block 3 returning strong extraction rates.
Gallium extraction reached 84% while REE extraction ranging from 80% to 95% across elements tested.
Nimy Resources (ASX:NIM) says its baseline extraction route uses process technology and flowsheet knowledge developed specifically for Block 3, forming proprietary IP for the company.
These results will feed into beneficiation, reagent and process optimisation studies together with Strategic Metallurgy and Curtin University, as well as the ongoing Block 3 scoping study.
Managing director Luke Hampson said the results marked another step in furthering Block 3.
“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,” he said.
Extraction route
Metallurgical work tested multiple recovery methods for gallium and rare earths from Block 3 material over various weathering profiles.
Method 6 delivered the strongest results in both oxide and transition sighter tests.
Transition material achieved 84.1% gallium extraction, with strong recoveries for yttrium, neodymium, gadolinium, dysprosium and scandium.
Subsequent flowsheet work showed gallium and rare earths can be recovered from leach solution into a mixed gallium-REE intermediate product using conventional impurity removal and product recovery techniques.
This provides Nimy with a baseline processing route for preliminary process design and early economic assessment.
Flowsheet and research work
Nimy continues to assess alternative processing routes as it advances towards a preferred flowsheet.
Several options are progressing at different stages of technical maturity, with potential to improve economics through lower operating costs, higher recoveries, simpler processing or improved product outcomes.
The next phase will compare these routes across technical maturity, capital intensity, operating costs, recovery performance and overall project value.
The MRIWA-Nimy-Curtin-Trailblazer research program is also underway.
This covers three stages: metallurgical characterisation and beneficiation, hydrometallurgical extraction and purification of gallium, plus gallium compound production with flowsheet optimisation.
Nimy expects the research to provide further insight into mineralogical controls on gallium and rare earth recovery, informing selection of the preferred flowsheet for future development studies.
Block 3 base
Block 3 sits at the centre of Nimy’s gallium strategy at Mons.
At a 20g/t Ga2O3 cut-off, Block 3 hosts an Inferred Resource of 64.3Mt at 42g/t Ga2O3 and 507ppm TREO, containing about 2700t of gallium trioxide and 32,600t of total rare earth oxides.
At a 70g/t Ga2O3 cut-off, Block 3 contains 7.2Mt at 102g/t Ga2O3 for about 740t of contained gallium trioxide and 538ppm TREO.
The current resource covers oxide and transition material to about 100m depth across 0.4km2 inside a broader 30km2 target area, and remains open at depth and along strike.
Strategic pull
The metallurgy work comes as western governments and industry seek more diversified sources of gallium outside the dominant Chinese supply chain.
Gallium compounds are used across semiconductors, communications, power electronics and defence technologies, including gallium nitride applications.
For Nimy, the next question is whether the early extraction results can be translated into an economic flowsheet capable of supporting development of Block 3.
Next steps
Work ahead includes further metallurgical characterisation through the weathering profile, beneficiation studies, flowsheet optimisation and completion of the Block 3 Scoping Study.
The MRIWA-Curtin-Nimy program will also progress work towards production of a high-grade concentrate and gallium compounds.
Nimy is continuing soil sampling for gallium and pathfinder elements to identify additional targets across Mons, while progressing engagement with potential offtake partners.
This article was developed in collaboration with Nimy Resources, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.
This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.
