Rare Earths Breakthrough: Simple Acid Process Unlocks Queensland Deposit

Red Metal Limited has made substantial progress towards validating a low-cost processing method for its Sybella rare earths project in Queensland. Recent column leach tests on coarse-crushed ore using weak sulphuric acid at ambient temperature have yielded exceptional rare earth recoveries. These tests confirm the project's potential for a simple heap leach development, akin to large soluble copper operations.

Recoveries for neodymium and praseodymium were strong, ranging from 70% to 78%, while heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium also showed solid performance. The mineralisation can be mined, crushed, stacked, and leached, with significant extraction occurring within the first 30 days. The Sybella project is situated 20 kilometres southwest of Mount Isa.

Further prefeasibility work will now commence, including additional column tests, purification studies, and geotechnical assessments. The Kary Zone at Sybella hosts a substantial resource of rare earths, with mineralisation starting at surface and a zero strip ratio in the early weathered material, indicating a potentially straightforward development case.