Ann: Franklyn Kaolin-Halloysite Prospect Reveals REE Potential, page-9

Here is Makuutu side by side with Caralue same scale, Central deposit outline overlain onto Caralue. Central Deposit which drives current feasibility studies is approx 3.5 x 1km and represents a very consistent, thick and high grade deposit from surface. Not a large area in the scheme of crustal scale laterite development, but not a small area from which to find consistency in grade x thickness...



In section, Central zone is seen as a well preserved laterite profile. Generally only less 25m thick, but unlike much of Sth Aust where the hardcap and core 'Mottled' and 'Clay' zones have often been eroded away. Soil and hardcap excluded from production, as is saprock even though saprock has good REO grades.



Mottled and Clay zones have the best recoveries by far, even though pH=1 is required as we are finding for all the Australian ICD plays. Lower Saprolite recoveries even worse than Upper Sap, sap rock very low obviously.


The laterite profile over West Aust and Sth Aust from my knowledge is very deep. Weathering often goes 75-100m... whatever, point is the laterite looks quite different to Makuutu and Chinese ICD's which seem to be thinner, well preserved profiles. One of my concerns is much of Australia's crop of ICD plays are in the Upper and Lower Sap profile, good for Kaolin but perhaps not good for ionic RE bonding as in the mottled and clay zones?

Time will tell but met work results have not been encouraging anywhere in Oz I have seen... just hype and non-disclosure of the critical met variables while quoting best case numbers. pH=1 is not a deal breaker so long as acid consumption isn;t too high. Low strip over thick ore goes a long way to reducing opex. Obviously I'll take operating in wheatbelt Oz over Africa any day, just need a suitable deposit first.

Good luck