The Great White Project, operated by Andromeda Metals Limited on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula, primarily focuses on developing a high-quality halloysite-kaolin deposit. However, it has also been identified as having potential for rare earth elements (REE). Here’s a summary based on available information:
REE Potential: Exploration at the Great White Project, particularly at the Tiger deposit, has uncovered mineralization similar to Chinese ion-adsorption deposits, which are a primary global source for heavy rare earth elements. These deposits are considered some of the cheapest and most accessible sources of heavy REEs due to their geochemical properties.
Exploration Status: Andromeda has noted the REE potential but is primarily focused on advancing the kaolin-halloysite production, with a definitive feasibility study (DFS) and mining lease application as priorities. Exploration for REEs is ongoing, but it remains secondary to the kaolin project. In 2011, drilling at the Tiger deposit (45 aircore holes, 2,132.5 meters) provided data that, when analyzed, indicated REE potential, though further drilling and studies (e.g., diamond core sampling and hydrogeological studies) are needed to expand and confirm these findings.
Project Context: The Great White Project, including the Carey’s Well and Tiger deposits, is centered on a kaolin deposit with a resource estimate of 34.6 million tonnes of bright white kaolinized granite (ISO Brightness R457 cut-off of 75). The project is a joint venture with Minotaur Exploration, where Andromeda holds a 75% interest. While kaolin and halloysite are the primary targets for applications in ceramics, coatings, and high-purity alumina (HPA) production, the REE potential adds a strategic dimension to the project.
Critical Minerals Context: The project’s kaolin is used to produce HPA, a critical mineral listed in Australia for its use in LED lighting, semiconductors, and lithium-ion battery separators. While REEs are also critical minerals, no specific REE resource estimate or production plans have been detailed in the available data, indicating that this aspect is still in the exploration phase.
In summary, while the Great White Project shows promising signs of REE mineralization, particularly resembling ion-adsorption deposits, Andromeda Metals’ current focus is on its kaolin-halloysite resources. REE exploration is ongoing but not yet at the stage of a defined resource or production plan.
What sparked this interest in REE?
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