Ark Mines Ltd has gained access to extensive historical data and reports produced by Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC) which undertook extensive sampling and mineralogical investigation at the Sandy Mitchell Rare Earths Project in 2010.
Ark acquired the Sandy Mitchell Rare Earths Project located in North Queensland in early March. The priority since acquiring the project has been to secure and review all historical data. Initial reports reviewed include those produced by JOGMEC which confirms the project contains significant levels of neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) with ratios recorded of up to 25 per cent as a percentage of total rare earth oxides.
Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) are two critical rare earth elements integral to the manufacture of rare earth permanent magnets. Rare earth permanent magnets are used in electric vehicles, wind turbines and advanced weapon systems.
As well as the rare earths there are robust commercial grades of heavy minerals measured, including 13.46 per cent titanium (ilmenite/rutile) and 8.15 per cent zircon, which broaden Sandy Mitchell’s commercial appeal.
The dominant minerals in the panned concentrate samples are zircon, ilmenite, monazite and Fe-rich chlorite, providing for simple mineralogy that can be separated in situ at a low cost.
JOGMEC undertook a sampling and mineralogical investigation of a mineral sand sample using QEMSCAN particle mineral analysis methods which shows the project will be simply beneficiated by gravity processes. The samples were taken as a bulk sample and then panned.
Ark is now fast-tracking a planned infill drilling program with further details to be announced shortly.
The company will also undertake its own metallurgical test work and gravity separation testing to confirm that Sandy Mitchell’s material is amenable to panning a concentrate and a commercial low-cost, fast start up gravity separation processing operation can be developed.
Executive Chairman Roger Jackson said the significant levels of neodymium-praseodymium at the project are encouraging, so too is the presence of some valuable heavy minerals.
“With the current deficit of NdPr oxide globally, and its importance in the energy transition, Sandy Mitchell has excellent commercial prospects, and we are now fast-tracking key works programs to bring the project into the development phase more rapidly.
“JOGMEC’s quality historical data is proving to be very valuable in this regard and giving us great insight into how we shape our forward works program. We anticipate a fuller update on pending works very shortly.”
