Name of the Project
Nolans neodymium/praseodymium rare earths project.

Location
Northern Territory, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Australian mining company Arafura Resources.

Project Description
The Nolans project will encompass a mine, a process plant – comprising beneficiation, extraction and separation plants – and related infrastructure.

An updated feasibility study has optimised the production schedule and financial outcomes of the project. The pit optimisations, mine designs, ore reserves and mining inventory are unchanged from the updated mining study in March 2020.

The project has ore reserves of 29.5-million tonnes grading 2.9% total rare-earth oxides, 13% phosphorous pentoxide and neodymium/praseodymium (NdPr) enrichment of 26.4%.

The updated feasibility study has reported a minor increase in the concentrate processing capacity of the process plant – from 330 000 t/y to 340 000 t/y. The definitive feasibility study was based on 300 000 t/y.

The beneficiation capacity has increased from one-million tonnes a year to 1.5-million tonnes later in the life-of-mine to accommodate lower run-of-mine head grades.

Minor changes to the hydrometallurgical recovery of rare earths and phosphorous pentoxide, resulting from the changes to the processing plant design, have also been reported.

The project is expected to produce 4 440 t/y of NdPr oxide over its 38-year mine life. The production of middle and heavy rare-earth oxides is estimated at 474 t/y and phosphoric acid at 144 393 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
The project will create 650 jobs at the peak of construction and new high-value export opportunities.   

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
In the base case, the project has a net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$2.4-billion and an internal rate of return of 19.3%.

Capital Expenditure
Preproduction capital is estimated at A$1.39-billion plus A$196-million in contingency.

Planned Start/End Date
Commercial production and ramp-up is expected to start by December 31, 2028.

Latest Developments
Arafura announced a binding offtake agreement with Traxys Europe for the supply of NdPr oxide from the project on March 20, further advancing its efforts to secure long-term sales agreements.

Under the five-year deal, Arafura will supply a minimum of 100 t/y of NdPr oxide, with an option to increase volumes up to 300 t/y at its discretion. 

The contract is subject to conditions precedent, including the completion of Nolans' construction and development, as well as the start of commercial production and ramp-up by 2028.

“This agreement with Traxys moves us closer to achieving our offtake target of 80%,” Arafura MD Darryl Cuzzubbo has said. 

“With only 34% of the product from Nolans remaining to be marketed, our ongoing negotiations mean we are well positioned to reach this target.”

The deal adds to Arafura’s existing offtake agreements with Hyundai Motors and Kia, as well as Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy, bringing the total secured commitments to 66% of its target. 

The company continues to negotiate additional agreements with customers in Asia, Europe and North America.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
KBR, Wave International and Arafura’s geological, metallurgical and project personnel (updated definitive feasibility study); Mining Plus (mine planning, design and scheduling, along with mining cost estimation); Simulus (process simulation); and Infinity Corporate Finance (financial modelling).

Contact Details for Project Information
Arafura Resources, tel +61 8 6210 7666 or email arafura@arultd.com.