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Indiana Resources’ (ASX:IDA) metallurgical test work program has raised hopes of enhancing the beneficiation of selected clay-hosted Rare Earth Element (REE) following Air Core (AC) drill sample results from the Minos REE prospect at the Central Gawler Craton Exploration project in South Australia.
A high-grade flotation concentrate grading of 4.2% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) and 1.8% Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (MREO) was obtained with an impressive recovery rate of 89% for TREO and 91% for MREO from the minus 0.15mm fraction of the composite AC sample.
The program, conducted by metallurgical and analytical specialist Nagrom, used wet screening, wet high gauss magnetic separation and sighter flotation to assess the feasibility of practical beneficiation methods for the clay-hosted REE mineralization before investigating hydrometallurgical extraction techniques.
“High recoveries of both TREO and MREO to a 4% TREO flotation concentrate is particularly encouraging. We look forward to the next phase of hydrometallurgical test work which will focus on acid leaching of the concentrate,” Indiana Resources Executive Chair Bronwyn Barnes said.
Previous drilling activities revealed a significant REE enrichment zone within the regolith profile, extending from the surface to depths of up to 75 meters. However, further infill AC drilling is necessary to accurately assess the distribution and extent of the high-grade mineralization within each zone.
Indiana Resources plans to focus on potential attritioning methods to enhance clay separation efficiencies to ensure the optimal extraction of valuable rare earth elements.
IDA has been trading at 8.2 cents.
