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Mamba Exploration’s Hyden REE project shows promising results in initial leach tests

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By Filip Karinja - 
Mamba Exploration ASX M24 rare earth elements REE Hyden project Western Australia
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Diversified explorer Mamba Exploration (ASX: M24) says initial test work at its rare earth elements (REE) Hyden project in Western Australia can readily be leached.

While returns from the nine samples of leach tests of the clay hosted REE show variable results, they also revealed very positive signs from one zone.

Leach results from the Southern area at Hyden, 300km east of Perth in WA’s Wheatbelt region, returned recovery rate values up to 70% of total rare earth oxides minus the low value cerium (TREE-Ce).

Initial clay testing in the target zone returned variable rates up to 19.3% TREE-Ce, while Northern results came in at less than 5%.

Variable rates not a barrier

Chairman Justin Boylson said the leaching tests had produced some key information.

“While the metallurgical leach results are variable, from the initial tests it is clear that the greenstone hosted mineralisation in the Southern area can readily be leached,” he continued.

Mr Boyson said that tests showed up to 70.6% recovery into solution with a relatively simple acid leach.

“While the recoverability of the granite and felsic hosted mineralisation is low, additional work is planned to better determine the REE mineralogy,” he added.

“This will provide an understanding of the source of the mineralisation and to determine if the material can be beneficiated to allow alternative extraction or upgrading of the REE minerals.”

More test work planned

The drilling program at Hyden was completed in late May, after which metallurgical samples were submitted to the laboratory to determine the most suitable leaching method.

This analysis was undertaken on the nine samples selected over an area 2,300 metres by 2,100m.

Samples were selected to test a broad range of rock units and locations across the project using two different leach solutions.

One used a weak hydrochloric acid leach and the second employed ammonium sulphate.

Mamba Exploration says additional test work is being planned so the company can gain a better understanding of the mineralogy and the source of the REE mineralisation.