That is an interesting point you raise. ITM are working with ANZAPLAN who are global experts in critical mineral processing and designing sustainable processes. My understanding is there have been developments in the separation technologies that are not the damaging kind you see in China - I am certainly no expert in this space though. They are doing a similar thing with the Graphite processing that avoids the need to use hydrofluoric acid.
The ITM tenements are also pretty close to the significant Simec iron ore mine which are also closer to major population centres than ITM tenements, so not without precedent.
Ultimately though if it's not ionic then it doesn't matter where you are located. Even ITM hasn't yet confirmed this at their most promising tenement at Caralue. Met testing is due any day now, but nearby tenements have proven ionic and Caralue has the grade, thickness, from near surface over a decent area that PTR have yet to prove up.
But as I said originally, only early days for PTR, with more exploration maybe they can identify better opportunities, but would want to see them doing the met testing to see if it's worth the effort.
Anyway an interesting space and lots of opportunities in the critical minerals space in SA and beyond.
PTR Price at posting:
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