On Track For Canadian Rare Earth Production In Q2 CY21
Vital Metals Limited (ASX: VML) has produced a 12kg sample of rare earth carbonate as part of a bulk sampling programme at its Nechalacho project in Canada as the company prepares for rare earth production in Q2 CY2021.
The sample is now being prepared for shipment to Vital’s offtake partner REEtec AS in Norway in accordance with customer acceptance protocols.
Managing Director, Geoff Atkins, said Vital will prepare additional samples of carbonate which it will make available to other prospective customers.
“Production of our bulk sample for REEtec is another important step towards reaching full production at Nechalacho,” Mr Atlkins said.
“Production of this sample demonstrates we have our processes working correctly and we are preparing to send the sample to REEtec so it can undergo customer acceptance, as well as producing samples for other potential customers.
“We are preparing for our ore sorter to arrive at Nechalacho while mining is also due to start within the next few weeks, so we are getting ready close to achieving our production goal.”
Mr Atkins said mining is on track to commence at Nechalacho later this month after Vital signed a definitive mining contract with local company Det’on Cho Nahanni Construction Ltd for work to commence at the North T Zone.
Scope of work under the mining contract includes mining, site clearing, preparation of retention pond, site roads, ROM pad, plus crushing and screening. Det’on Cho Nahanni Construction will mobilise to site at Nechalacho via ice road by the end of March.
In addition, Vital has commenced a drill program at Nechalacho to define a mine plan for Stage 2 of production from the Tardiff.
Vital is testing three high-grade targets in the Tardiff deposit and will evaluate potential expansion of the T Zone by targeting two additional zones, the South T and the S zones, which lie adjacent to the planned North T pit, where Vital plans to commence production.
