ABx Group Ltd. has delivered promising results from its preliminary column leach tests, supporting the feasibility of heap leaching at its Deep Leads project in northern Tasmania.
Preliminary column leach results from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation on 26 kg bulk samples demonstrate very high extraction of high-value heavy rare earths.
The fist column test achieved 81 per cent extraction of rare earths, including 76 per cent extraction of dysprosium (Dy) and 79 per cent extraction of terbium (Tb), two of the highest value rare earths.
ABx Group said this record high extraction is the best result achieved in large-scale tests from any Australian clay-hosted rare earth deposit and demonstrates that ionic clay rare earths are especially suited to low-cost heap leaching.
ABx Group CEO Mark Cooksey said: “These preliminary column leach results are extremely encouraging. Achieving very high extractions of the most valuable and important heavy rare earths… strongly supports the potential for heap leaching at Deep Leads.
“Heap leaching potentially offers a compelling pathway to lower capital intensity, consistent with the ABx strategy to commence commercial production as soon as possible.”
Heap leaching involves forming a heap of clay ore on an impermeable and gently sloping pad and irrigating the pad with leachate.
The leachate then percolates downward through the heap and extracts rare earths into the solution.
Heap leaching is potentially lower capital cost than tank leaching, as less capital equipment is required.
The column leach tests will be completed before the end of December and will be unloaded in early January 2026.
Final results from the program will be reported once the analysis is complete.
