BBX Minerals confirms presence of REEs in ammonium sulphate leach testing of Ema samples

Assays sent for ammonium sulphate leach testing from BBX Minerals’ (ASX: BBX) Ema project in Brazil have confirmed the presence of ionic adsorbed clay rare earth elements (REEs).

Test results showed that strong REE adsorption could be achieved using a standard ammonium sulphate solution at pH 4 acidity.

Basic 2% ammonium sulphate leaching on a 50 gram ore sample delivered strong returns, with an average 51% recovery of light magnetic REEs praseodymium and neodymium and an average 39% recovery of heavy magnetic REEs terbium and dysprosium.

Testing did not recover any thorium or uranium.

Metallurgical test work

Chief executive officer Andre J Douchane said the results provide a baseline for proposed metallurgical test work to optimise leach conditions and recoveries.

“This test was just a simple indicative assay but it confirms that ionic absorption clay-type REEs are present at Ema,” he said.

“The results will assist in guiding our planned metallurgical work at CETEM (Federal Research Institute for Mineral Beneficiation, located in Rio de Janeiro) aimed at optimising leach conditions for the entire Ema and Ema East deposit.”

Encouraging results

The early results are believed to be “extremely encouraging”.

“We have a way to go to define the extent of what we have at Ema, but we are excited by what we are seeing so early on,” Mr Douchane said.

“We will shortly be mobilising a third drill and crew so we can complete up to three auger holes per day [which should] expedite our work… we have made a significant REE discovery and we intend to put the majority of our resources toward defining exactly what we have.”

Increasing importance of REEs

Rapid technological advances have resulted in REEs becoming increasingly important in many domestic, medical, industrial and strategic applications because of their unique catalytic, metallurgical, nuclear, electrical, magnetic and luminescent properties.

REEs can be used in magnets and super magnets, motors, metal alloys, electronic and computing equipment, batteries, catalytic converters, petroleum refining, medical imaging, colouring agents in glass and ceramics, phosphors, lasers and special glass.

They are essential elements in permanent magnets used for wind turbines and electric vehicle motors.

The magnetic rare earths (MREO) praseodymium, neodymium, terbium and dysprosium were all present in the Ema results.

“The shift to a clean energy system is set to drive a huge increase in the requirements for these minerals, meaning that the energy sector is emerging as a major force in mineral markets,” Mr Douchane said.