Southern Complex Achieves Highest Ever Ionic Recoveries
Summary
- Viridis Mining and Minerals Limited (VMM) announced record-high ionic recoveries from metallurgical test work at its Southern Complex (Cupim South and Centro Sul) in Brazil.
- A 41kg bulk composite sample from 26 holes returned the highest ionic recoveries ever seen at the Colossus project.
- The average recovery of Nd + Pr was 82% using a standard leach, and 83% using a cost-efficient reagent.
- The average recovery of Dy + Tb was 67% for both tests.
- Overall MREO [Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb] recovery was 82% using a standard leach, and 83% using a cost-efficient reagent.
- The Southern Complex showed improved recoveries at a higher pH (4.5) and lower AMSUL concentration (0.3M), leading to material operational savings.
- Over 88% of the ore in the composite sample was from never-before-tested areas.
- The head grade was 4,561ppm TREO, including 33% MREO.
- Impurities were incredibly low, with 0.02ppm Uranium and below detection limits of Thorium.
- The next step is to test the composite through the entire flowsheet to determine overall ore to MREC recovery.
- The current basket value for Southern Complex from leaching stands at $29.72/kg TREO with a robust 40% MREO content.
Sentiment
Score: 9
Explanation: The results are exceptionally positive, showing significantly better-than-expected metallurgical recoveries and a strong economic outlook. The management commentary is also highly optimistic.
Positives
- Record-high ionic recoveries achieved, exceeding previous results at Colossus.
- Improved recoveries at higher pH and lower AMSUL concentration, resulting in significant cost savings.
- Very low impurity levels in the leached solution.
- High head grade of 4,561ppm TREO, including 33% MREO.
- High basket value of $29.72/kg TREO from leaching.
Risks
- The results are from initial metallurgical testing; further testing is needed to confirm the findings on a larger scale.
- The scoping study is not yet complete, and the final project economics are still to be determined.
- There are potential future challenges related to obtaining necessary permits and financing for the project.
Future Outlook
Viridis expects to complete its Southern Complex MREC testing program by the end of the year, update its resource estimate, finalize mine planning, and issue the Scoping Study in Q1 2025. The company is also progressing the PFS and EIA for the Preliminary Environmental Licence submission.
Management Comments
- 'These results represent an outstanding start to the MREC test program from our southern group of concessions.'
- '...these first of a kind leaching results for a simple and benign salt wash have surpassed all expectations.'
- 'To now have recoveries above 80% for our precious MREOs and at near neutral pH and low molar concentrations, this really does showcase the unique value proposition of the Colossus Project.'
- '...were very excited to able to soon announce the final project economics, combining high production rates, a high average basket value together with a low cost and environmentally friendly flowsheet design.'
Industry Context
This announcement positions Viridis Mining as a leader in the rare earth element sector, particularly given the high recoveries achieved at a lower cost and with reduced environmental impact compared to industry peers. The focus on MREOs, which are in high demand, further strengthens their competitive advantage.
Next Steps
- Complete Southern Complex MREC testing program with ANSTO by year-end.
- Update resource estimate.
- Finalize mine planning for the Southern Complex.
- Issue the Scoping Study in Q1 2025.
- Progress PFS and EIA for Preliminary Environmental Licence submission.
Key Dates
- 20 March 2024: ASX announcement: 80% Average Ionic Recoveries from First Colossus Hole
- 18 April 2024: ASX announcement: Colossus Achieves Highest Overall Bulk Ionic Recoveries Globally
- 17 July 2024: ASX announcement: Significant Breakthrough in Metallurgical Testing at Colossus
- 24 September 2024: ASX announcement: Colossus Maiden Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) Product
- 28 August 2024: ASX announcement: Cupim South Delivers 21m @ 15,339ppm TREO, Ending in Mineralisation
- 30 October 2024: ASX announcement: Cupim South Drilling Paves Way for Major Resource Upgrade
- 8 November 2024: Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) pricing data used for basket value calculation
- 14 November 2024: ASX release: Southern Complex Achieves Highest Ever Ionic Recoveries
- Q1 2025: Expected release of the Scoping Study
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Operational Update
- Viridis and Viridion are well-placed to capitalize on significant funding opportunities provided by two FINEP / BNDES Public Calls, which total R$8 Billion (approximately US $1.4 Billion) for strategic mineral transformation and R&D centers.
- The potential funding available will fast-track the Colossus and Viridion development timelines, indicating a future capital injection to accelerate project progress.
Operational Update
- The document highlights 'exceptional project economics even at todays cyclical low rare earth prices', indicating strong performance despite challenging market conditions.
- The successful delivery of the first locally sourced rare earth oxides to Latin America's only magnet manufacturer is described as a 'significant milestone', surpassing typical expectations for project development.
- The unique positioning of Viridion as the 'only local source of oxides to Brazil and broader Latin America' provides a strategic advantage that exceeds standard market positioning.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Colossus Project increased by 140%, reaching 493Mt @ 2,508ppm TREO and 601ppm MREO, which is better than previous estimates.
Interim Financial Report
- The company completed a $3.5 million placement on February 4, 2025, at $0.33 per share.
- The company completed a placement to raise A$4 million through an equity issue at $0.52 per share in October 2024.
Interim Financial Report
- The company's net loss after tax decreased compared to the previous year, indicating improved financial performance.
Scoping Study Announcement
- The Colossus project's economics, including a pre-tax NPV8 of US$1.43 billion and an IRR of 43%, suggest better than expected results.
Project Update
- The Colossus project boasts the largest and highest-grade MREO Measured & Indicated IAC resource globally.
- Metallurgical testing shows industry-leading MREO recoveries of 76-78% using a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly process.
Reinstatement Announcement
- The reinstatement of trading is directly linked to an announcement regarding a capital raising.
- The company is expected to announce details of the capital raising soon.
Trading Halt Request
- The company has requested a trading halt pending an announcement regarding a capital raising.
Environmental and Regulatory Update
- The company is continuing to focus on project financing discussions.
Resource Upgrade Announcement
- The resource size increased by 140%, which is significantly better than expected.
- The Measured & Indicated resource is now the largest and highest grade globally, which is better than industry standards.
Exploration Update
- The resource estimate has increased by 140%, which is better than expected.
- The project has the largest and highest-grade MREO resource in the Measured & Indicated categories globally, which is better than expected.
- Metallurgical recoveries are industry-leading, which is better than expected.
Exploration Update
- The results are better than expected due to the industry-leading 78% MREO recoveries, which exceed typical recoveries in similar projects.
- The low impurity level of approximately 0.7% is significantly better than global benchmarks for public IAC projects.
- The high TREO content of 58% in the final MREC product, along with a 38% MREO/TREO ratio, surpasses expected values and indicates a high-quality deposit.
Exploration Update
- The drill results were significantly better than expected due to the discovery of multiple exceptionally thick and high-grade rare earth intercepts, exceeding previous expectations for both grade and width.
Annual General Meeting Results
- Approval of a 10% placement facility was granted.
- Ratification of prior share issues (April and October placements) was approved.
Investor Presentation
- The high-grade nature of the MRE, exceeding expectations, and the exceptional metallurgical recoveries are significantly better than anticipated.
Investor Presentation
- $4 million capital raise completed on 14 October 2024
Metallurgical Test Results
- The ionic recoveries achieved at the Southern Complex significantly exceeded expectations, surpassing all previous results at the Colossus project and demonstrating a superior economic profile.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- Resolution 4 seeks shareholder approval for a 10% placement facility, potentially raising additional capital.
- Resolution 10 seeks approval to issue 1,712,308 October Placement Shares to Tranche 2 participants, potentially raising approximately $0.9 million.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results significantly exceeded expectations, with multiple intersections revealing exceptionally high grades and thicknesses of rare earth elements, particularly MREOs, far surpassing previous models.
Capital Raise Announcement
- The successful A$4 million placement exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the company and its Colossus project.
- The exceptional maiden MREC results from the Colossus project significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing superior economics and potential to disrupt the industry.
Trading Halt Announcement
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
Annual Report
- The company's ability to issue additional shares under the Corporation Act 2001 to raise further capital. The Group has a history of successfully raising funds from equity raisings in the past
Annual Report
- The company reported a significant net loss after tax of $8,314,168 for FY2024, substantially exceeding the previous year's loss of $814,226, indicating worse than expected financial performance.
Exploration Update
- The company acquired new tenements at a low cost, expanding its landholding in key prospects.
- Drilling results indicate high-grade mineralisation in the Cupim South Extension.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The company announced a globally significant maiden MRE for the Colossus IAC Project of 201Mt @ 2,590ppm TREO with 668ppm MREO.
- Metallurgical test work at the Colossus IAC Project achieved high bulk composite sample recoveries globally, averaging 79% recovery in a 30-minute leach cycle.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results are better than expected due to the high TREO grades and MREO concentrations discovered at the Cupim South extension.
- The infill drilling at the Northern Concessions returned grades over twice the block model estimates, indicating a significant improvement in the resource potential.
Missing type for ID: 2009
- ASX:VMM announces better than expected results.
Missing type for ID: 3480
- ASX:VMM announces worse than expected results.
Market Announcement
- The granting of the Cupim South mining licenses and Centro Sul exploration licenses is better than expected as it secures critical tenements for the company's development strategy.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results have exceeded expectations by discovering higher grades and extending the mineralized zones beyond the previously known resource area.
Mineral Resource Estimate
- The Colossus project has a high MREO content compared to its peers.
Investor Presentation
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high grades of rare earth elements found near the surface.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high recoveries achieved in initial metallurgical testing.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the strategic partnerships and government support secured.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results at Ribeirao encountered significantly higher grades than previously anticipated, improving the potential resource estimate.
- The mineralized footprint at Cupim South has doubled, indicating a larger resource potential than initially expected.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The drilling results exceeded expectations with high-grade zones and new discoveries.
- Metallurgical testing showed exceptional ionic adsorption recoveries.
- The company secured additional mining rights and expanded its land position.
Trading Halt Request
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
- The details of the capital raising will be released in a subsequent announcement.
Metallurgical Test Results Announcement
- The maiden bulk met test work completed at Colossus exceeded expectations.
- The average ionic recoveries of magnet rare earth elements (MREE), including Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy), and Terbium (Tb), outperformed every publicly known IAC prospect and deposit globally.
Exploration Update
- The discovery of the highest peak grade publicly reported by any company within the entire Complex of 27,087ppm TREO is better than expected.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The Parties acknowledge and agree that on and from the Commencement Date (being the date the JV Co is incorporated), a detailed budget and funding model will be developed to inform future funding requirements, which must be agreed by both Parties.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The joint venture aims to be the first producer of refined Rare Earth Oxides (REO) in Brazil, utilizing innovative separation and recycling technologies, which is better than the current industry standard.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.