ABx Group Limited (ASX: ABX) has reported strong extraction results from larger-scale slurry tests conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) on material from its Deep Leads ionic adsorption clay rare earth project in northern Tasmania.
The tests returned recoveries of 60–66% for dysprosium (Dy) and 55–62% for terbium (Tb), while light rare earths neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) showed 65–72% and 63–70% extractions, respectively.
ABx said the outcomes demonstrate that high yields previously observed in smaller-scale work are now being reproduced in larger tests more representative of commercial production conditions.
The Deep Leads rare earths project, located 45 kilometres west of Launceston, is the subject of a bulk sampling campaign to produce a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC).
The program involves processing 100 kilograms of material, with ANSTO remaining on schedule to deliver the first MREC sample in the December quarter of 2025.
In this latest work, rare earth extractions were carried out on 300-gram samples at ANSTO, yielding what ABx described as “outstanding” results.
ABx Group Managing Director and CEO Mark Cooksey said: “I am once again very pleased to see that high rare earth extractions, particularly of heavy rare earths, are achieved from our deposit using extremely benign conditions.
“Furthermore, the results were as predicted based on our earlier in-house and ANSTO testing.
“We are eagerly looking forward to the production of the MREC sample.
“Because of high DyTb content, high extractions, low impurities and a significant resource, ABx Group continues to receive strong interest from potential customers.”
He added: “ABx has high-grade REE discoveries 52km east of Deep Leads, confirming that Tasmania’s REE deposits are extensive and can be an important source of Dy and Tb, potentially rivalling Dy and Tb production from southern China.”
