Medallion Product Suitable for Rare-Earth Separation

Rare Earth Deposits & Mining / Rare Earth Exploration, Mining, Processing, & Uses

Date posted: 12/08/15

Medallion Resources Ltd. has received positive feedback from reputable rare-earth processing companies regarding its mixed rare-earth concentrate product samples. As of October 26, 2015, sample product and specification sheets were provided to interested parties under confidentiality agreements. Based on those responses, it is clear that this concentrate product, once capable of being produced in commercial quantities, is suitable for input into standard commercial rare-earth refineries or separation plants. This is a welcome and expected response as well as validation of the Medallion approach. Rare-earth processing can be technically challenging, so they have taken a straightforward approach to get to production. Their strategy is to purchase by-product monazite sand. This will serve as a high-grade feedstock for our planned commercial extraction plant, said Don Lay, Medallion President & CEO. Monazite is not only a rare-earth mineral with well-understood metallurgy, but this simple approach means no mining, milling or beneficiation activities are required. As such, they expect to save on upfront capital and reduce operating costs. Medallion is working to understand the timing and volume demands of rare-earth refiners and partners, and has noted particular interest in neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium. These elements have important use in rare-earth magnets, the driving application in the rare-earth marketplace today. These magnetic elements represent over 85% of the value of the contained rare earths in the sample concentrate, which was produced during recent bench-scale metallurgical tests. Medallion is now using its confirmed metallurgical flow-sheet as the basis to investigate alternatives for the set-up and operation of a pilot plant. The pilot plant will be designed to optimize production from different feedstocks and improve efficiencies, including reagent recycling and by-product production.