This Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Round Top Project, dated June 22, 2012, describes a proposed open-pit mining and processing operation for rare earth elements in Sierra Blanca, Texas.
Report context
The Round Top Project is a rare earth element deposit located in Sierra Blanca, Texas. This NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment was prepared for Texas Rare Earth Resources Corp. and has an effective date of May 15, 2012. The report provides a proposed flowsheet based on metallurgical testwork and a preliminary economic analysis. No mineral reserves are estimated in this report.
Processing route
Phase I Study
The Phase I study examined the mineral processing characteristics of the Round Top material. This initial testwork program provided the basis for subsequent investigation into concentration and recovery methods.
Phase II Study
The Phase II study comprised two main components: evaluation of concentration methods and diagnostic leach tests. This work was conducted to determine the most effective processing route for the rare earth element mineralization.
Evaluation of Concentration Methods
Various physical concentration methods were tested on the Round Top material. The testwork evaluated different approaches to upgrading the feed material prior to leaching. Results from these concentration tests informed the proposed process design.
Diagnostic Leach Tests
Diagnostic leach testing was performed to evaluate the leachability of rare earth elements from the Round Top mineralization. These tests examined the response of the material to different leaching conditions and provided data for the proposed flowsheet.
Proposed Process Description
The report presents a proposed process description for the Round Top Project. The processing route includes a concentrator and a leaching facility. The concentrator is designed to prepare the feed material for subsequent hydrometallurgical treatment. The leaching facility is intended to extract rare earth elements from the concentrated material.
Concentrator
The proposed concentrator flowsheet is based on the metallurgical testwork results. Detailed equipment specifications and process conditions for the concentrator are described in the report as part of the proposed design.
Leaching Facility
The proposed leaching facility is designed to process the concentrated material. Process conditions for the leaching circuit were developed from the diagnostic leach testwork. The facility is intended to produce rare earth element products from the leach solutions.
Key reported parameters
| Parameter | Value | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Project location | Sierra Blanca, Texas | Property description |
| Report type | NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment | Report scope |
| Report date | June 22, 2012 | Report information |
| Effective date | May 15, 2012 | Report information |
| Mineral resource classification | Not specified in processing sections | Report limitation |
| Production rate | Not specified in processing sections | Report limitation |
| Process type | Proposed concentrator and leaching facility | Proposed design based on testwork |
Project website: https://tmrcorp.com/projects/rare_earths/
Technical qualifications
The mineral processing and metallurgical testing described in this report is based on Phase I and Phase II studies. The proposed flowsheet is a conceptual design derived from testwork results. No mineral reserve estimate is included in this report. The report does not provide detailed equipment specifications or operating parameters for the proposed processing facilities beyond the conceptual level of a Preliminary Economic Assessment.
Source: NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment, Round Top Project, Sierra Blanca, Texas, Report Date June 22, 2012, Effective Date May 15, 2012.
