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Resouro Strategic Metals advances Tiros titanium-REE project with positive metallurgical results

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By Colin Hay - 
Resouro Strategic Metals ASX RAU Tiros titanium REE project
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Resouro Strategic Metals (ASX: RAU) is preparing to step up development and marketing of its Tiros titanium and rare earth elements (REE) project in Brazil after receiving positive metallurgical results.

Chief executive officer Chris Eager said the tabling of the results marks a significant milestone in the project’s development.

He added that the results indicate that Resouro and joint venture (JV) partner Altilium Projects have the potential to achieve the highest REE extractions known across the industry to date.

Stable supply

“Completion of our first stage of the Altilium extraction assessment for the Central Block of the Tiros rare earth project marks a pivotal moment for Resouro Strategic Metals and the industry as a whole,” Mr Eager said.

“These extraction results, combined with the maiden JORC mineral resource estimate, provide our shareholders with confidence that Tiros’ consistently thick, near-surface and highly weathered clay-like material has strong potential to produce excellent results and meet the needs of the global demand for a stable supply of rare earth critical minerals.”

“Our metallurgical studies will continue to the next steps with our partner Altilium, while reviewing options from the more conventional metallurgical study path.”

Maiden MRE

Resouro released a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate (MRE) for the Tiros project in mid-July, identifying it as one of the largest undeveloped titanium and REE resources in the world.

The MRE identified 1.7 billion tonnes at 3,900 parts per million total rare earth oxide (TREO), 1,100ppm magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO) and 12% titanium dioxide in all three resource categories.

Of the 1.7Bt, the deposit contains a high-grade domain of 120Mt at 9,000ppm TREO containing 2,400ppm MREO and 23% titanium dioxide.

Additional test work

Following the completion of the initial stage of metallurgical studies, Resouro is preparing to commence a second phase of test work.

This work will include testing a representative Resouro sample with the Altilium titanium/REE process technology flowsheet.

Resouro also plans to investigate the separation of the titanium dioxide, zircon, niobium and phosphate potential from the leach/residue by various beneficiation processes.

The company will also build on the recent MRE with an in-fill drilling program as it works towards delineating a potential JORC-compliant reserve.

Further metallurgical test work programs with preferred laboratory partners will aim to optimise REE extraction and titanium dioxide recovery under typical conditions.

Scoping study

All this work will contribute to a scoping study with an engineering procurement and construction management partner and other subject matter experts.

In the lead-up to Tiros’ development, the JV will complete a preliminary mining and environmental baseline survey and studies to submit for bulk mining approvals and work towards a pilot project.

Downstream studies and product testing will also be conducted to align the metallurgical flowsheet with the requirements of potential future offtake partners.