Spectrum Rare Earths Provides Metallurgy Update

Spectrum Rare Earths (ASX:SPX) provided an update on metallurgical work at its Skyfall project. Results so far have showed positive mineralogy, with second stage testing already underway.

As quoted in the press release:

• Work to date has identified crandallite group and xenotime group minerals as the main REE rich hosts.Xenotime is particularly well understood from a mineral processing perspective and crandallite has similar chemical and physical properties.
• Importantly, these minerals are known to be susceptible to magnetic separation and froth flotation beneficiation techniques. These beneficiation steps are expected to be key components of a process
• flow sheet to produce an economic (or viable) mineral concentrate.
• The main gangue associations are relatively inert and are theoretically disposed of via standard beneficiation techniques to provide an efficient upgrade to any concentrate.
• The fine secondary (weathered) nature of the rare earth minerals suggests that they may be susceptible to milder or more efficient leaching techniques.
• A competitive advantage to the Skyfall Prospect is that it has very low levels of penalty elements thorium and uranium. This could lead to a ‘cleaner’ and more attractive concentrate product.
• Second phase testing already in progress. This includes grind size and beneficiation work.

Click here to read the Spectrum Rare Earths (ASX:SPX) press release