London-listed Pensana Rare Earths says initial results from beneficiation testwork on samples from the Sulima West deposit at the Coola exploration licence, located 75 km north of Longonjo, in Angola, are “very encouraging”.
The testwork is being undertaken to determine whether the mineralogy at Sulima West is amenable to simple upgrading on site, prior to transporting to Longonjo for further processing.
Both samples tested show the potential for separation and upgrading to a high-grade concentrate using simple magnetic and gravity processes, the company says.
Once the testwork has been finalised, a drill programme will be undertaken to delineate the extent of the near-surface mineralisation over the 6 ha target area at Sulima West.
The composite laterite sample graded 8.4% total rare earth oxide (TREO) with 80% comprising magnetic iron and manganese oxides and 10% rare earth element-rich monazite.
Magnetic and gravity separation testwork has been commissioned with the target of producing a 50% TREO concentrate suitable for treatment at Longonjo.
The apatite-maghemite sample graded 22% phosphate and was upgraded to 42.6% phosphate using magnetic separation.
Testwork has been commissioned with the aim of producing a commercially saleable, greater than 40%, phosphate concentrate.
“These early results indicate the potential for low-cost physical beneficiation of the Sulima West ore at site, feeding the Longonjo processing plant with a high-grade rare earth concentrate,” says exploration manager Grant Hayward.