Name of the Project
Browns Range heavy earths pilot plant development project.

Location
Western Australia.

Project Owner/s
Northern Minerals.

Project Description
The project has been separated into three development stages and enables Northern Minerals to test the process, market the mixed rare-earth carbonate product, develop the project to bankable feasibility study (BFS) level and build the full-scale operation.

Stage 1 includes the construction of a three-year, 60 000 t/y pilot plant operation. It will comprise an opencut mining operation, with processing through a beneficiation and hydrometallurgical pilot plant to produce 49 000 kg/y of dysprosium in 590 000 kg/y of total rare-earth oxide (TREO) contained in a mixed rare-earth carbonate. This stage is important to derisk the operation by testing the process and improving the knowledge of grade control and the project’s geology.

Stage 2 involves developing the project to BFS level, based on the definitive feasibility study completed in March 2015; and on the results of the studies, announced on August 27, 2015, aimed at reducing mining costs, boosting production, producing a premium product and increasing the ore reserve.

The final stage involves building the project to full-scale production, based on the successful outcomes of stages 1 and 2. Once at full-scale, the project will process 585 000 t/y to produce 279 000 kg of dysprosium contained within 3 098 000 kg/y TREO (before yttrium rejection) in a mixed rare-earth carbonate.

Potential Job Creation
The project is expected to create 50 construction jobs and 45 ongoing operational positions.

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The project has a capital cost of A$56-million.

Planned Start/End Date
First production targeted in 2026, subject to approvals and project funding.

Latest Developments
Northern Minerals has received approval under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) for strategic amendments to its Browns Range project.

The EPA approval enables the company to enhance its infrastructure while maintaining its commitment to environmental stewardship and community engagement.

The approved changes include a 60 ha expansion of the project’s footprint to accommodate renewable-energy infrastructure, including wind turbines and a solar farm, which are expected to reduce the project's greenhouse-gas emissions.

Additional modifications involve the alignment of the access road, improved drainage infrastructure and the addition of groundwater bores.

Section 45C of the EPA permits minor alterations to an approved project that do not substantially increase environmental risks. Northern Minerals has said that the EPA’s approval reflects the company’s efforts to minimise environmental impacts while enhancing project flexibility. The modifications align with the existing Ministerial Statement 986, and no changes to the initial conditions are required.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
MACA (bulk earthworks); Primero (turnkey solutions provider); Sinosteel MECC (engineering, procurement and construction contract); and K-Technologies (scoping study).

Contact Details for Project Information
Northern Minerals, tel +61 8 9481 2344, fax +61 8 9481 5929 or email info@northernminerals.com.au.