Altona Rare Earths plc returned “very encouraging” fluorspar metallurgical test results along with new fluorspar discoveries at its Monte Muambe rare earths project in Tete Province, northwest Mozambique.
OUTCROPS
Initial flotation tests of ore samples showed a concentrate at 93.62% calcium fluoride, with impurities reduced to “acceptable or near-acceptable levels” for hydrofluoric acid production.
“These results indicate that the fluorspar at Monte Muambe is more suitable for the development of acid-spar which is used in the production of hydrofluoric acid,” said Altona.
“This is a higher value product than the met-spar (used primarily as a flux in the steel industry) previously envisaged.”
The company noted that hydrofluoric acid is used alongside a lithium compound to manufacture batteries.
The metallurgical testing programme aims to generate a flowsheet for an acid-spar production plant and samples for potential off-takers to evaluate.
The new “undocumented fluorspar outcrops” were identified by the discovery in April of three gallium soil anomalies, which also served as vectors to pinpoint the new zones.
Altona is currently determining the extent of the outcrops, which could result in an increase in the mineral resource.
In-fill soil sampling are also being taken to identify optimal gallium targets for future trenching and drilling and to delineate fluorspar mineralisation.
The company continues to seek partners for a prefeasibility study for Monte Muambe’s rare earth elements.
Chief executive Cedric Simonet added: “I am very pleased with the latest developments for the Monte Muambe fluorspar project, which result in an updated scope including a higher-value product (acid-spar) and a higher-production capacity objective.
“Work towards the development of a possible fluorspar mining operation at Monte Muambe will continue in parallel with the prefeasibility study for rare earths, and with on-going exploration for gallium, thus multiplying the opportunities to create value from this asset.”