Greenland Minerals and Energy: beneficiation circuit delivers high grade low mass rare earth concentrate

Greenland Minerals and Energy (ASX: GGG) which is fresh from a transformative move to 100% of the Kvanefjeld multi element project in August, has now delivered a technical breakthrough in the area of mineral beneficiation.

Studies demonstrate that not only are the Kvanefjeld resources extensive, but the minerals are fundamentally amenable to concentration, allowing for efficient and cost effective rare earth element and uranium extraction.

Through a simple flotation step, the ore is transformed into a much higher-grade mineral concentrate that constitutes less than 15% of the original mass.

Importantly, test work demonstrates total rare earth oxides (TREO) grade increases of greater than ten times, which is a very high upgrade ratio within the specialty metals sector.

The method has now been successfully piloted under continuous operation to produce a bulk mineral concentrate, with this concentrate now being tested to establish the most favourable downstream leach solution chemistries.

The outcome from the effective beneficiation provides a major downsizing of hydrometallurgical leach circuits, and is anticipated to lead to significant reductions in overall capital and operating costs.

Kvanefjeld hosts 6.6 million tonnes of TREO as defined by internationally recognised standards, 350 million pounds uranium and 3 billion pounds of zinc.

The next step - fast tracking test work

Moving the project forward quickly, Greenland Minerals is now fast tracking test work to identify the most suitable leach chemistry for the mineral concentrate.

The outcome will be an increased news flow from the company, with results to be released over the coming months, along with further enhancements to the beneficiation circuit.

The technical advances are in line with the company's current focus of identifying and delivering the optimal development scenario for the project.

Originally published at: http://www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/20586/greenland-minerals-and-energy-beneficiation-circuit-delivers-high-grade-low-mass-rare-earth-concentrate--20586.html