Namibia Critical Metals completes flotation tests for Lofdal rare earth project
The tests which aligned with engineering design criteria, were conducted at SGS Lakefield and involved a 5-ton bulk sample from the Lofdal Area 4 starter pit, aiming to validate and scale up the grinding and flotation regime for the Lofdal flowsheet.
Positive results
The pilot-scale flotation tests, carried out from October to December 2023, included several adjustments to improve the foundational flowsheet established in 2022. Innovations such as lower temperature flotation and the use of newly developed reagents were implemented to reduce operating expenses and enhance xenotime recovery into the concentrate.
Darrin Campbell, President of Namibia Critical Metals, expressed enthusiasm, stating that the completion of the flotation pilot plant test work has yielded highly positive results. He highlighted the hard work of the metallurgy teams, emphasizing the promise of substantial reductions in operating expenditures.
The pilot runs produced approximately 100 kg of flotation concentrate, setting the stage for hydrometallurgical testing. This next phase, scheduled at SGS Lakefield in Q1 2024, will involve acid bake and water leach processes, followed by the optimization of downstream rare earth element (REE) recovery steps, critical for the project’s advancement.
Furthermore, NCMI is exploring sustainable practices such as dry tailing deposition. The flotation tailings from the pilot runs are contributing to this effort, along with slurry rheology testing for pumping thickened tailings. These initiatives align with a broader commitment to environmentally responsible mining practices.
