Hi Shady,thanks for starting this thread, and for clarifying the...

Hi Shady,

thanks for starting this thread, and for clarifying the spelling and definition of beneficiation. I noticed my spelling in an earlier thread was a bit off but I think the meaning was understood.

I have copied the following from our annual report for those who have not read it.....

mineralogy and metallurgy
The Company recognises that metallurgy,
including beneficiation, is a key driver for
development time, capital and operating
costs for rare earth projects and is
therefore proceeding with initial studies
using appointed consultants Bateman
Engineering.

A 100kg bulk sample of rare earth
mineralisation in diamond core was
shipped to Perth in May 2011 to enable this
test work to commence. Specific studies
include crushing, grinding, screening, heavy
liquid separation, Wilfley Table, magnetic
separation and flotation to determine the
optimal method to produce a rare earth
concentrate.

Mineralogical studies have shown that the
rare earth mineralisation at Ngualla, in both
the weathered and fresh rock is contained
in the rare earth carbonate minerals
bastnasite and synchysite.

Unlike some predominantly monazite hosted rare earth
deposits, uranium and thorium levels are
very low in the Southern Rare Earth Zone at
Ngualla, averaging just 17ppm and 36ppm
respectively in drilling to date. This is
considered encouraging at this early stage.

Mineralogical investigations of samples
from the northern niobium – tantalum –
phosphate zone are at an earlier stage.
The phosphate mineral apatite has been
observed, together with the niobium mineral
ferrocolumbite. Beneficiation studies on this
material will commence shortly.


If the company can find a simple cost effective method to concentrate the REEs and separate the phosphate it will be huge for this company and IMO the key to transforming from explorer to producer... I am very keen to see the progress of this work.

GL to all

Wiil