DFMTF - Defense Metals Corp. (DFMTF) - Preliminary Results Highlight Opportunity to Improve Rare Earth Element Recoveries

Improving the extraction process. Initial test work supports using the acid bake process at the Wicheeda rare earth element project based on improved rare earth element (REE) extraction and the potential for lower Wicheeda project capital and operating costs. The previous hydrometallurgical flowsheet that was included in the preliminary economic assessment (PEA) was based on a complex gangue-leach-caustic crack process. Preliminary results show that the acid-bake process is more efficient, yielding greater than 95% recovery of neodymium and praseodymium from flotation concentrate into a leach solution.A simpler design. Testing of the acid-bake process started in late 2021, with over 20 tests on several concentrate samples completed. The process requires less equipment and involves fewer steps and circuits. Most of the world’s rare earth elements are produced using the acid-bake process. The hydrometallurgy program will conclude during the last quarter of 2022 and will yield data to facilitate a detailed design, including capital and operating cost estimates. Read More >>