Ionic Rare Earths Limited (ASX: IXR) has appointed DRA Global (ASX: DRA) to support its 60% owned Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project, Uganda.
DRA Global is an international multi-disciplinary engineering, project delivery, and operations management group focused on the mining, minerals, and metals industry.
The company will focus on the optimization of mining pit design and operations and conduct a detailed review of the stage one definitive feasibility study, and phase two of the demonstration plant. A further objective is to identify opportunities for overall project enhancement and any further work required to attain the Class Two estimate accuracy.
“Our focus on the delivery of the Makuutu Heavy Rare Earths Project in Uganda positions us to provide a secure, sustainable, and traceable supply of magnet rare earth oxides,” Tim Harrison, managing director at Ionic, said.
“Along with our Belfast recycling facility, the Makuutu project is key to us harnessing our technology to accelerate our mining, refining, and recycling of magnets and heavy rare earths which are critical for the energy transition, advanced manufacturing, and defence.”
DRA has been working in Africa for almost 40 years across a range of commodities. They have a proven track record in the mining, minerals, and metals processing industries. The South African based team will work closely with Ionic’s recently appointed chief operating officer, Dr. Tommie van der Walt, who has worked on several African projects, including the US$2B Ahafo mega-project, Ghana.
Ionic has said that the news represents a significant milestone for Mukuutu, which is ranked amongst the world’s largest and most advanced ionic adsorption clay heavy rare earth element deposits.
Once the assessment of the phase two demonstration plant and DFS, the company will pursue an in-depth review of the proposed mining philosophy and mining operation.
To find out more, please visit www.ionicre.com.au
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