Through its collaboration with the US Department of Energy and Virginia Tech University, American Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:ARR, OTCQB:ARRNF) has presented positive results of a metallurgical leaching study on the extraction of rare earth elements (REEs) from its Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming.
The US Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) awarded a three-year (2022-2025) research contract to Phinix, LLC with American Rare Earth and Virginia Tech as team members. This metallurgical study was carried out by researchers at the Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering at Virginia Tech.
Positive results
The positive results of the metallurgical study on leaching extraction of REEs from Halleck Creek ore by low temperature, direct acid leaching, further confirm the findings of the metallurgical test-work carried out by Wood PLC as announced last year.
American Rare Earths chief executive officer Donald Swartz said: “We’re extremely pleased with the leaching results which further validate the recent scoping study assumptions and our optimism around the project.
“High REE recovery at low temperatures with short duration indicate low(er) operating costs and effective extraction of rare earths.
“ARR is pleased that we have been able to work with the Department of Energy, Phinix and Virginia Tech on this project and look forward to continuing the relationship in the next phases of the EERE project”.
Virginia Tech’s Dr Wencai Zhang added: “The low-crystallinity characteristic of the allanite can significantly reduce the extraction costs of REEs from the deposit. I am very excited about our recent findings”.
Economic potential
Two independent, peer-reviewed, technical studies were recently published that further illustrate the economic potential of Halleck Creek.
Minerals Engineering study – (Liu, et. al., 2024)
- 80% of REEs were extracted with low temperature, direct acid leaching.
- Fast leaching kinetics are attributable to Halleck Creek metamict allanite structure, with 65% of REEs extracted in the first 10 minutes of leaching.
- Halleck Creek ore is less refractory than monazite or bastnaesite, which cannot be leached using low temperature acid tank leaching.
Green and Smart Mining Engineering study — (Xiao and Zhang, 2024)
- High-grade rare-earth enriched Halleck Creek ore highlights its economic potential.
- Density and magnetic separation techniques have demonstrated effectiveness in separation.