Mkango Resources Ltd (AIM:MKA, TSX-V:MKA, OTC:MKNGF) has produced a neodymium and praseodymium-enriched rare earth carbonate as part of ongoing feasibility work at its Songwe Hill project in Malawi.
The carbonate graded 55% total rare earth oxides.
· Neodymium and praseodymium are key components of permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and many electronic devices and prices have risen by 85% and 135% respectively over the last 12 months
The rare earth carbonate produced at Songwe will feed Mkango's proposed Pulawy separation plant development in Poland.
Technical aspects of the feasibility study for Songwe are close to completion, with the majority of engineering workstreams 100% complete and most other key workstreams more than 90% complete. Negotiations of the Mining Development Agreement with the Government of Malawi are also well advanced.
"Completion of piloting is another major milestone for the development of Songwe and the related Pulawy separation plant in Poland, as Mkango moves towards finalisation of the feasibility study for Songwe,” said William Dawes, chief executive of Mkango.
“This puts Mkango in a rare class of having an independent rare earths project at this advanced stage of development. Through its investments across the supply chain, Mkango is uniquely positioned to be a future producer of rare earth oxides, recycled alloys and magnets, the latter through its 42% strategic interest in short loop rare earth magnet recycler, HyProMag."