Metallurgical Milestone Achieved at Halleck Creek
American Rare Earths (ARRNF) has achieved a significant metallurgical milestone at its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming. Large-scale testing has successfully demonstrated a 10:1 upgrade in rare earth concentration, increasing from 3,438 ppm (0.34%) TREO to 37,200 ppm (3.72%) TREO using conventional, low-cost methods.
The test work, conducted with Mineral Technologies on a 1.9-tonne sample, utilized MG12 Spirals and Induced Roll Magnetic Separation (IRMS) technology. The process effectively removes 93.5% of non-rare earth material early in processing, meaning only 6.5% of mined ore requires further refining, potentially reducing operating costs significantly.
The initial TREO recovery rate was 62%, below the 78% outlined in the Scoping Study. However, optimization work is ongoing to enhance recoveries while maintaining the 10X upgrade factor. These results validate key assumptions in the Scoping Study and will support the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
American Rare Earths (ARRNF) ha raggiunto un'importante pietra miliare metallurgica presso il suo progetto Halleck Creek Rare Earths nel Wyoming. I test su larga scala hanno dimostrato con successo un aggiornamento di 10:1 nella concentrazione di terre rare, aumentando da 3.438 ppm (0,34%) TREO a 37.200 ppm (3,72%) TREO utilizzando metodi convenzionali e a basso costo.
Il lavoro di test, condotto con Mineral Technologies su un campione di 1,9 tonnellate, ha utilizzato tecnologie MG12 Spirals e Induced Roll Magnetic Separation (IRMS). Il processo rimuove efficacemente il 93,5% del materiale non raro nelle fasi iniziali della lavorazione, il che significa che solo il 6,5% del minerale estratto richiede ulteriori raffinazioni, riducendo potenzialmente i costi operativi in modo significativo.
Il tasso iniziale di recupero del TREO era del 62%, al di sotto del 78% delineato nello Scoping Study. Tuttavia, il lavoro di ottimizzazione è in corso per migliorare i recuperi mantenendo il fattore di aggiornamento di 10X. Questi risultati convalidano le assunzioni chiave nello Scoping Study e supporteranno il prossimo Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
American Rare Earths (ARRNF) ha logrado un hito metalúrgico significativo en su proyecto Halleck Creek Rare Earths en Wyoming. Las pruebas a gran escala han demostrado con éxito una mejora de 10:1 en la concentración de tierras raras, aumentando de 3,438 ppm (0.34%) TREO a 37,200 ppm (3.72%) TREO utilizando métodos convencionales y de bajo costo.
El trabajo de prueba, realizado con Mineral Technologies en una muestra de 1.9 toneladas, utilizó tecnología MG12 Spirals y Separación Magnética por Rodillo Inducido (IRMS). El proceso elimina eficazmente el 93.5% del material no raro en las primeras etapas del procesamiento, lo que significa que solo el 6.5% del mineral extraído requiere refinación adicional, lo que podría reducir significativamente los costos operativos.
La tasa de recuperación inicial de TREO fue del 62%, por debajo del 78% señalado en el Estudio de Alcance. Sin embargo, el trabajo de optimización está en curso para mejorar las recuperaciones mientras se mantiene el factor de mejora de 10X. Estos resultados validan suposiciones clave en el Estudio de Alcance y respaldarán el próximo Estudio de Prefactibilidad (PFS).
American Rare Earths (ARRNF)는 와이오밍의 Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project에서 중요한 금속 공학 이정표를 달성했습니다. 대규모 테스트를 통해 희토류 농도가 10:1 개선되었음을 성공적으로 입증했으며, 3,438 ppm (0.34%) TREO에서 37,200 ppm (3.72%) TREO로 증가했습니다. 이 과정은 기존의 저비용 방법을 사용했습니다.
이 테스트 작업은 Mineral Technologies와 함께 1.9톤 샘플을 사용하여 MG12 Spirals 및 유도 롤 자기 분리(IRM) 기술을 활용하였습니다. 이 과정은 가공 초기 단계에서 비희토류 물질의 93.5%를 효과적으로 제거하여 채굴된 광물의 6.5%만이 추가 정제가 필요하게 되어 운영 비용을 상당히 줄일 수 있습니다.
초기 TREO 회수율은 62%로, 스코핑 연구에서 제시한 78%보다 낮습니다. 그러나 10배 개선 계수를 유지하면서 회수율을 향상시키기 위한 최적화 작업이 진행 중입니다. 이러한 결과는 스코핑 연구의 주요 가정을 검증하고 다가오는 사전 타당성 연구(PFS)를 지원할 것입니다.
American Rare Earths (ARRNF) a atteint une étape métallurgique significative dans son projet Halleck Creek Rare Earths dans le Wyoming. Les tests à grande échelle ont démontré avec succès une amélioration de 10:1 de la concentration des terres rares, passant de 3 438 ppm (0,34 %) TREO à 37 200 ppm (3,72 %) TREO en utilisant des méthodes conventionnelles et à faible coût.
Le travail de test, réalisé avec Mineral Technologies sur un échantillon de 1,9 tonne, a utilisé la technologie MG12 Spirals et la séparation magnétique par rouleau induit (IRMS). Le processus élimine efficacement 93,5 % du matériau non rare dès le début du traitement, ce qui signifie que seulement 6,5 % du minerai extrait nécessite un affinage supplémentaire, ce qui pourrait réduire considérablement les coûts d'exploitation.
Le taux de récupération initial du TREO était de 62 %, en dessous des 78 % décrits dans l'étude de faisabilité. Cependant, des travaux d'optimisation sont en cours pour améliorer les récupérations tout en maintenant le facteur d'amélioration de 10X. Ces résultats valident des hypothèses clés de l'étude de faisabilité et soutiendront la prochaine étude de préfaisabilité (PFS).
American Rare Earths (ARRNF) hat einen bedeutenden metallurgischen Meilenstein in seinem Halleck Creek Rare Earths Projekt in Wyoming erreicht. Die großflächigen Tests haben erfolgreich eine 10:1 Verbesserung in der Konzentration seltener Erden gezeigt, die von 3.438 ppm (0,34%) TREO auf 37.200 ppm (3,72%) TREO angestiegen ist, unter Verwendung konventioneller, kostengünstiger Methoden.
Die Tests wurden mit Mineral Technologies an einer 1,9-Tonnen-Probe durchgeführt und verwendeten MG12 Spirals sowie die Induced Roll Magnetic Separation (IRMS) Technologie. Der Prozess entfernt effektiv 93,5% des nicht-seltenen Erdenmaterials bereits im frühen Verarbeitungsstadium, was bedeutet, dass nur 6,5% des abgebauten Erzes eine weitere Raffinierung erfordert, was die Betriebskosten erheblich senken könnte.
Die anfängliche TREO-Rückgewinnungsrate betrug 62%, unter den 78%, die im Scoping Study angegeben sind. Dennoch sind Optimierungsarbeiten im Gange, um die Rückgewinnungen zu verbessern und gleichzeitig den 10-fachen Verbesserungsfaktor beizubehalten. Diese Ergebnisse validieren wichtige Annahmen im Scoping Study und unterstützen die bevorstehende Voruntersuchung (PFS).
- Successful 10:1 upgrade in rare earth concentration demonstrated at production scale
- 93.5% reduction in material requiring further processing, potentially lowering operating costs
- Validation of conventional, low-cost processing methods at scale
- Initial TREO recovery rate of 62% falls below the 78% target in Scoping Study
10X Rare Earth Upgrade Successfully Demonstrated at Production Scale Using Conventional Low-Cost Methods.
Key Highlights
- Metallurgical test work confirms Halleck Creek ore can be upgraded by 10:1, validating a simple and effective early-stage beneficiation process.
93.5% of non-rare earth material can be removed early in processing, meaning only6.5% of mined ore requires further refining, significantly reducing processing costs.- This metallurgical milestone confirms the 10x upgrade assumption in the Scoping Study1, supporting the PFS flowsheet and further de-risking the project
- Optimization work is ongoing to enhance recoveries, streamline processing, and lower costs, supporting the upcoming Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
DENVER, Feb. 20, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF and AMRRY) (“ARR” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of large-scale metallurgical test work at its Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming, USA.
Recent testing, conducted in collaboration with Mineral Technologies, confirms that Halleck Creek ore can be efficiently upgraded at scale using conventional, low-cost methods, reinforcing the strong fundamentals of the project.
Test work successfully upgraded mineralized feedstock from 3,438 ppm (
This work was performed on a 1.9-tonne sample of crushed core material, using MG12 Spirals and Induced Roll Magnetic Separation (IRMS) technology—both commercially proven processing methods.
American Rare Earths CEO, Chris Gibbs, commented:
“These results confirm exactly what we anticipated—Halleck Creek ore can be efficiently upgraded using simple, low-cost conventional processing methods. Successfully demonstrating this at production scale is a major milestone, further de-risking the project as we advance toward development.”
“This large-scale test work validates the 10x upgrade assumption in our Scoping Study1 and provides further confidence in the project’s potential. With these results in hand, we will issue an Updated Scoping Study shortly, incorporating the JORC Resource increase announced earlier this month.”
“Looking ahead, we are advancing metallurgical test work to optimize processing efficiency and conducting hydrometallurgical testing to refine our flowsheet. This work remains on track to support the development of our Pre-Feasibility Study.”
- ASX Announcement 18 March 2024
What This Means for Halleck Creek’s Development
- Significant Material Upgrade Reduces Processing Volumes –
93.5% of non-REE material is removed early, meaning only6.5% of mined ore requires further processing, reducing complexity and costs. - Proven Processing Technology Scales Successfully – Large-scale testing validates that widely used, low-cost beneficiation methods can efficiently upgrade Halleck Creek ore.
- A Key Step in Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) Development – These results provide critical inputs for the PFS flowsheet, confirming processing assumptions in the Initial Scoping Study and further de-risking the project.
Next Steps: Enhancing Recovery and Process Optimisation
The successful 10:1 early-stage beneficiation upgrade at Halleck Creek is a major milestone in the project’s development. The initial TREO recovery from the combined spiral and IRMS process was
These results confirm the Scoping Study’s assumption of a 10x upgrade factor for the relevant processing section. No changes to the processing assumptions were recommended at this stage, as the flowsheet design is still being finalised, with further test work ongoing to optimise recoveries and efficiency. These results provide a strong foundation for further process improvements as the project progresses toward the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).
Figure 1: Spiral Test Work at Minerals Technologies
This announcement has been authorized for release by the Board of American Rare Earths.
Full technical details are available here.
About American Rare Earths Limited:
American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF | ADR: AMRRY) is a critical minerals company at the forefront of reshaping the U.S. rare earths industry. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Wyoming Rare (USA) Inc., the company is advancing the Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming—a world-class rare earth deposit with the potential to secure America’s critical mineral independence for generations. The Halleck Creek Project boasts a JORC-compliant resource of 2.63 billion tonnes, representing approximately
With plans for onsite mineral processing and separation facilities, Halleck Creek is strategically positioned to reduce U.S. reliance on imports—predominantly from China—while meeting the growing demand for rare earth elements essential to defense, advanced technologies, and economic security. As exploration progresses, the project’s untapped potential on both State and Federal lands further reinforces its significance as a cornerstone of U.S. supply chain security. In addition to its resource potential, American Rare Earths is committed to environmentally responsible mining practices and continues to collaborate with U.S. Government-supported R&D programs to develop innovative extraction and processing technologies for rare earth elements. The opportunities ahead for Halleck Creek are transformational, positioning it as a multi-generational resource that aligns with U.S. national priorities for critical mineral independence.
For additional information
Media Contact:
Susan Assadi
sassadi@americanree.com
347 977 7125
Investor Relations US Contact:
Beverly Jedynak
Beverly.jedynak@viriathus.com
312 943 1123
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a254fdae-43f8-48f3-9bd8-2dd637b02b9d
FAQ
What is the significance of ARRNF's 10:1 rare earth upgrade at Halleck Creek?
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What was the TREO recovery rate in ARRNF's latest Halleck Creek tests?
What processing methods did ARRNF use for the Halleck Creek upgrade?
