Meeka Metals Ltd (ASX:MEK) has outlined a path to commercialisation for rare earth elements (REE) sourced from its Circle Valley Project in Western Australia, demonstrating high extraction percentages in metallurgical test work conducted on the ore.
Testing by ANSTO resulted in a total rare earth extraction rate of up to 82%, averaging about 76%. The extraction percentage of high-value magnet rare earths was higher, peaking at 86% and averaging 82%.
The company is continuing test work to refine and improve the process, with a focus on upstream mineral processing techniques that could be used to upgrade mineralisation and remove non-target elements before extraction.
MEK looks to advance projects “at pace”
“When evaluating clay rare earth projects, key consideration is given to scale, grade and metallurgy,” Meeka Metals managing director Tim Davidson said.
“Drilling has demonstrated shallow high-grade rare earths are pervasive within our 100%-owned province-scale land package.
“With metallurgical results now showing there is a pathway to production of a commercial product, we plan to advance these large-scale, high-grade projects at pace.
“Drilling is planned at both Cascade and Circle Valley to progress toward delivery of a maiden mineral resource this financial year.
“Additionally, further test work is now underway to improve on and refine the metallurgical processes.
“Given the tier-1 location, geopolitically critical nature of the metals and high level of permanent magnet elements present, our projects are shaping up to be significant.”
Meeka expects to receive REE assays for the remaining 14,957 metres of drilling at Circle Valley before the end of August, and gold assays from the Murchison Gold Project by the end of September.
The company also intends to produce a quarterly report, pre-feasibility study for Murchison, and an audited annual report by the end of September, with more assays from the Cascade REE Project anticipated by the end of the year.