ABx Group Limited (ASX:ABX) Large Batch Tests Confirm High-Purity Rare Earth Results
Executive Summary
- ABx Group reported successful impurity‑removal trials on leach solutions from its Deep Leads project, achieving >98 % rare earth element (REE) retention with near‑complete aluminium removal.
- First mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product sample is on track for delivery by end‑November 2025, supporting downstream customers seeking high‑Dy/Tb MRECs.
- The results reinforce the project's low‑cost processing chemistry and high Dy/Tb grades, strengthening ABx’s position with existing offtake partners and potential new customers.
Key Details
- Impurity Removal (IR) Trials: Conducted by ANSTO on 1.2 kg sub‑sample from a 100 kg bulk sample (trial pit DLP002).
- pH conditions: 5.94 and 6.24 (near‑optimum).
- Aluminium precipitated almost completely; <2 % of REEs precipitated → >98 % REE retention in solution.
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Al:TREE ratio after IR < 0.005, indicating very low aluminium content in the final MREC product.
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Leaching Performance:
- 1.2 kg sub‑sample leached under identical conditions to prior 300 g tests (pH 4.5, ambient T/P).
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Extraction yields: 62 % Dy, 63 % Tb – consistent with earlier results (62‑66 % Dy/Tb extraction at 25 wt % solids).
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MREC Production Timeline:
- ANSTO began producing the first MREC product using 50 kg of the bulk sample.
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Completion expected before end of November 2025; sample to be distributed to potential customers and offtake partners for evaluation.
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Column Leach Investigation:
- Formal Processing Options Analysis identified need for column leach testing.
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Initial column leach tests with ANSTO scheduled to start November 2025, results anticipated early 2026.
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Strategic Importance & Market Context:
- High‑purity MREC with elevated Dy/Tb content meets strong demand from rare‑earth refineries seeking low‑impurity feedstock.
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Benchmark prices (Nov 2025): Dy oxide > US$200/kg, Tb oxide ≈ US$1,000/kg; CIF Europe prices > 3× Chinese domestic rates, underscoring premium for non‑China sources.
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Offtake & Partnerships:
- Existing MOU with Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (focus on North American processing).
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Ongoing discussions with additional potential offtake partners.
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Resource Highlight:
- Deep Leads – Rubble Mound and Wind Break discoveries: 89 Mt @ 844 ppm TREO, containing 36 ppm Dy+Tb (4.4 % of TREO), the highest grade among Australian ionic clay deposits.
Notable Quotes
“These latest results are extraordinarily good. We are eagerly looking forward to the production of the MREC sample later this month.” – Mark Cooksey, Managing Director & CEO
“Each phase of testwork reinforces the advantages of the Deep Leads resource… a high proportion of rare earths can be successfully carried through to an MREC product using low‑cost chemistry.” – Mark Cooksey