Ionic Rare Earths taps DRA Global to progress Makuutu developmentPublished: 09:21 19 Sep 2023
View attachment 5598649Ionic Rare Earths Ltd (ASX:IXR, OTC:IXRRF) has appointed international multi-disciplinary engineering, project delivery and operations management group DRA Global to support project delivery at the 60%-owned Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project in Uganda.
DRA Global, which is focused on the mining, minerals, and metals industry, will review Makuutu’s definitive feasibility study (DFS) and examine opportunities for further cost efficiencies, time savings and scale.
The strong team will also provide advice to IXR on the Makuutu Demonstration Plant program value optimisation to support the company’s Final Investment Decision (FID) on the project.
Key Makuutu milestoneThis appointment is an important milestone for Makuutu, which is ranked amongst the world’s largest and most advanced development-ready ionic adsorption clay heavy rare earth element deposits.
Makuutu’s basket contains 71% magnet and heavy rare earths content.
IonicRE managing director Tim Harrison said: “Our focus on the delivery of the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project in Uganda positions us to provide a secure, sustainable and traceable supply of magnet rare earth oxides.
“Along with our Belfast recycling facility, the Makuutu project is key to us harnessing our technology to accelerate our mining, refining and recycling of magnets and heavy rare earths which are critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence.”
Scope of servicesDRA Global will focus on the optimisation of mining pit design and operations and conduct a detailed review of the Stage One DFS and Phase Two of the Demonstration Plant at Makuutu.
A further objective is to identify potential opportunities for overall project enhancement and any further work required to attain the Class Two estimate accuracy (-15% to +20%).
DRA’s scope of services encompass the following:
- Review of relevant historical study documentation and test work results;
- Review of existing process engineering documentation ('Process Pack');
- Identification of potential trade-off and optimisation studies required for subsequent phases;
- Facilitate and partake in high-level Hazard and Operability studies;
- Review of the proposed materials handling approach;
- Review on the mining operations; and
- High-level review of project support infrastructure beyond the precinct of the process plant – securing of bulk power and bulk water; project logistics; plant access; construction and permanent accommodation, etc.
DRA’s services will also extend to providing an in-depth review of the proposed mining philosophy and mining operation as well as an assessment and optimisation of the mine design for the project.
About DRA GlobalDRA Group has a strong track record in Africa spanning almost four decades across a range of commodities, with deep expertise in the mining, minerals and metals processing industries, as well as related infrastructure such as water and energy solutions.
DRA has assembled a strong team from South Africa, based in the Johannesburg office, who will work closely with IonicRE’s recently appointed chief operating officer Dr Tommie van der Walt.
Van der Walt has worked with DRA Global on several African projects including the US$2 Billion Ahafo Mega-project in Ghana.
“DRA Global has successfully delivered several significant mining projects across Africa in varied commodities. DRA will identify any additional value and cost optimisation and ensure rigorous review of project parameters ahead of FID,” van der Walt said.
“Their positive attitude to challenging conditions and environments, as well as their professional approach to project execution, has served me well in my role as director for various projects."
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