Namibia Critical Metals Completes Pilot for Rare Earth Mine

Mining firm Namibia Critical Metals has completed a production pilot program at its Lofdal Heavy Rare Earths Project.

The pilot utilized a hydrometallurgical plant to test crude rare earth element precipitation, re-leach and thorium solvent extraction methods, resulting in reduced reagent usage, according to the company.

The company has also secured an additional C$550,000 in project funding from its partner, the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security, which has increased its stake in the project to 40%.

The Lofdal Project is being developed under a 25-year lease agreement with the Namibian government and is one of only two xenotime-type heavy rare earth deposits currently under development worldwide.