Not having run a REE concentrating plant I can only guess at the operating parameters. But given that most REE's have a specific gravity of around 7 (similar to Tin) I would think that the first step after commutation would be some form of Gravity concentrator such as Jigs or HMS may up grade the ROM ore by 3:1. Then IF the minerals containing the REE is amenable to Flotation (Is it a phosphate/Sulphide/Oxide or such ?) then the second step should be a bank of float cells again a 3:1 upgrade would be typical, if not a large bank of Tables might be appropriate. Lastly if the minerals prove to be paramagnetic a third cleaning step of electro-magnet/ electro static separator might be warranted. Having run numerous crushing and separating operations for: Gold, Tin. Zinc, Diamonds etc My estimate is that such a treatment process should have an operational cost of around $12 -15/t. Whatever the process is the trick will be to keep it as simple as possible.
As stated several times, the big CAPEX expense, as Lynas discovered, is in building the refining plant. Happily this is where Pensana's management experience really comes into play. China has been trying to clean up its Industrial OH&S image for years and has steadily been closing down its "Illegal mining operators". This has left the refiners without feedstock for their process plants. So selling them a concentrate for further processing will be a win-win for both parties. Our Chairman's past experience and well developed links with the Chinese authorities and operators is going to be the key. Make no mistake, the Chinese desperately need our Ore to keep their processing plants going so that they can continue to feed the skyrocketing EV market; Negotiating an equitable take-off agreement will be the key to Pensana's future success.
