Godolphin Resources Ltd (ASX:GRL) has produced an intermediate product – mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) – from its Narraburra REE project in new South Wales, revealing notable concentrations of terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy) and low impurities.

The grades in these two minerals in particular is higher when compared to the MREC produced by other clay-hosted project.

The maiden MREC was produced through process development testing on samples from Narraburra, with the resulting product being suitable for sale to specialist refining companies for processing into rare earth metals and oxides.

This initiative was part of Godolphin’s third phase of metallurgical testing on the project, which also revealed leach extraction rates of 90% for magnet rare earth oxide (MREO), with concentrations of impurities in leach solutions set at typical levels, and very low acid consumption.

The overall recovery of MREO for the testing was 77% – from MREC through to clay, and the MREC product specifically comprised 57.6% wet tonnes (wt) total rare earth oxides (TREO).

Of this, heavy rare earth oxides make up 66% of the TREO.

Managing director Jeneta Owens said this was an important result for Godolphin.

“We are thrilled to have achieved a major breakthrough with the completion of this metallurgical test work at Narraburra,” she said.

“This is a critical step in understanding the optimal conditions to process the Project’s REE mineralisation in an efficient and cost-effective manner.

“Pleasingly, this has led to the creation of the Project’s first MREC, which will allow for the commencement of discussions with potential off take partners.”

Godolphin shares rose on the news, and at 10:40 AEDT, they were trading at 2 cents – a rise of 17.65% since the market opened.

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