1 Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto. Possible evolution for RE mining projects Possible evolution for RE mining projects according to Gartner Hype cycle.

1Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

Possible evolution for RE mining projects

according to Gartner Hype cycle

2Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

3Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

Metallurgy Advantage :Debating competitive elements of

tonnage, grade, mineralogy, …

4Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto Downstream RE Separations and Finishings

Beneficiation

Heavy SandsMines

Ilmenite, Rutile,… Zircon,… Cassiterite,…

MONAZITE XENOTIME

Grinding +Beneficiation

Hard rocksMines

Fe conc Nb,Ta conc

Alkalinecracking

Crude REHydroxide

HCl, HNO3

dissolution

BASTNASITE

Acidbaking

Crude RESulfate

Waterdissolution

NaOH H2SO4

Non RE + Rad* Purification of Mix RE solutions by Chemistry and/or SX

Grinding +Beneficiation

BASTNASITE

Roasting

Aciddissolution

HCl

L/Sseparation

Australia,India, SthA,…Brazil, USA,

MolycorpSichuan

BayanObo

TSP

Residu Ce4

conc RE3

Cl sol

Summarize of "classical " RE processesUSA,China,

Residu

5

Metallurgy Advantage :Debating competitive elements of tonnage, grade, mineralogy, …

"Classical" RE processes are using high grade concentrates usually >50%REO

meaning RE bearer minerals are easily liberated and accessible.- Bastnasite, Monazite as Light RE sources- Xenotime for Heavy RE ones- Russian Loparite as RE,NbTa,Ti bearer is a special case for

LRE…!- Chinese Ionic ores since late 80’s are also an other one for

HRE…! First new industrial RE concentrate is Lynas Mt Weld project presently starting with an intermediate concentrate ~40%REO grade.

Futur potential RE sources now under development are generally conducting to some "RE concentrates" of which %REO grade is even more strongly depending of the mineralogy of the RE bearers…

Here after is a sketch for a rough comparison of that present evolution of RE resources…

Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

Gangue Gangue

Coarse pure RE mineralBN, MZ, XN,…

Mix RE mineralRE included into lattice

6

Simplified 2 types forRE mineralisation

BeneficiationEasy Hopeless

Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

7Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

REO Grade / MineralogyWhere is the Optimum between physical beneficiation and chemical cracking ?!• Although the target is to recover the maximum of RE content, Mining and

Chemistry are two worlds needing to very well know and understand each other to reach this optimum…

• Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) is of crucial importance… while Beneficiation and Metallurgical behavior are tested for determination of a potential flowsheet, then future economical process.

Tonnage REO / REO DistributionEvolution of RE market to be estimated for Light/Heavy RE ores development.• RE are coming all together, but will not be paid at best market price…• Global " RE equilibrium " has also to be taken into account for tonnage

capacity…

Upcoming new RE sources

8Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

Thank you for your attention

Merci pour votre attention