Harena Resources advances mining study at Ampasindava as focus on magnet metals intensifies
This study comprises part of pre-feasibility study work that will underpin subsequent cost and logistics modelling ahead of the next phase of project development.
This study work is a critical path item towards achieving the company's goal of developing an environmentally responsible, and geopolitically neutral supply of magnet metals to feed the global defence, energy, and technology sectors.
Initial work indicates the clays can be mined with minimal grade dilution. In addition, the Resource indicates that large areas of higher grade are discretely placed throughout the mining areas. These high-grade areas will be the focus of initial mining in order to create improved technical and financial leverage for the operation and reduce start-up risk.
Ore will be extracted from four or five satellite pits operating within the high grade zones. Mining will be up-dip with excess water draining into sumps for evaporation. This reducing the moisture in the clay and providing material handling efficiencies.
The second pillar of design is to optimise the use of reagents and residence time on the heaps to achieve optimum recovery rate of rare earth minerals in the shortest, most cost effective, saline leach time. This approach will result in installed production capacity being rightsized to extract the most favourable economic zones of the ore body and recover REE minerals.
The third pillar of process design is to be achieved through further metallurgical testing at an on-site demonstration plant to be constructed following transition of the mining license. The higher value rare earth minerals will be prioritised in preference to low value products
The study will form the foundation for progressing a full mining licence application under the 2023 Madagascar Mining Code, a key milestone toward near-term development.
The pre-feasibility study is on track for submission to the Mining Cadastre Office in the third quarter of this year.
The focus will be on near-surface high-grade zones, reagent efficiency, and low-impact processing.
The study incorporates all prior exploration, metallurgical and mineral resource results compiled by SGS Canada, assessed against working plan for open cut, heap leach processing operation.
"We are moving decisively to advance the Ampasindava project forward as quickly as possible, especially given the current backdrop of geopolitical tensions with regard to trade tariffs and tightening export controls around heavy rare earth and NdFeB magnet materials,” said Joe Belladonna, Harena’s managing director.
“Completing the initial pre-feasibility study will bring us a step closer to supplying an independent, near term source of magnet metals into international markets, with a strong focus on technical viability, cost-efficiency, and responsible development."
View from Vox
Escalating geopolitical tensions and export controls around critical rare earth elements has intensified interest around projects like Ampasindava. Madagascar remains resolutely outside of the Chinese sphere of influence, and the project’s location on the northern coast means shipping of product directly to market will be relatively uncomplicated. The world needs neodymium , praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, and Harena aims to meet that demand.
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