Hastings Technology Metals Forges Strategic Niobium Partnership for WA Projects
Hastings Technology Metals has entered into a significant partnership with the renowned minerals processing firm Enuo Holdings to unlock the value of critical by-product minerals, including niobium, from its two Western Australian rare earths projects: Yangibana and Brockman.
The two companies have executed a binding Technical Services and Research Agreement, initiating a targeted program to deepen their understanding of the metallurgical characteristics of the coveted critical minerals at the Brockman project. Importantly, the metallurgical insights gained will also be applicable to Hastings' joint venture with Wyloo at the Yangibana site.
Comprehensive Testwork and Recovery Focus
At both the Brockman and Yangibana projects, Enuo will undertake comprehensive testwork aimed at gaining metallurgical insights into the ore's composition, recovery estimates, and behaviour. This will include determining optimal processing options.
A strong emphasis will be placed on maximising the recovery of by-product metals such as zirconium and hafnium, alongside the primary target of niobium. Enuo will conduct exploratory beneficiation testwork, involving processes like crushing, milling, flotation, and magnetic separation.
This work is designed to determine the potential for upgrading mineralised recovery grades and to establish a discovery pathway for the best methods to liberate these valuable minerals from the ore.
Strategic Value and Commercial Viability
The program will aid in developing a processing flowsheet for the Yangibana ore, ensuring it integrates seamlessly with the processing of Hastings' valuable neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) concentrate, which is expected to be mined at the project.
Hastings' current strategy is focused on maximising the by-product value hidden within the ore bodies of its two projects and broadening its mineral product offering. The company believes this testwork will also enable a better assessment of the commercial viability of shipping beneficiated material to offshore processing facilities.
"This technical study with Enuo is a strategic step that delivers value to both pillars of our portfolio," said Hastings Technology Metals chief executive officer Vince Catania. "This test work allows us to rigorously evaluate the potential capture of additional value from the whole basket of our ore body, specifically targeting by-products like niobium, hafnium, and zircon that would otherwise be overlooked."
Leveraging Expertise and Enhancing Economics
The company is confident that leveraging Enuo's downstream processing expertise will facilitate the design of a process flowsheet capable of broadening revenue streams and meaningfully enhancing the projects' economics.
Hastings notes that the metallurgical insights gained are transferable, significantly boosting both projects. Vital processing improvements and knowledge leading to greater recovery of niobium and other valuable by-products at either site will benefit the overall portfolio.
The primary objective of the planned testwork is to design and optimise processing flowsheets for the cost-efficient recovery of rare earths, niobium, and additional by-products at Brockman, with applications at Yangibana as well.
Commercialisation and Critical Mineral Significance
Commercially, the testwork is expected to focus on optimum specifications for concentrates and downstream processes. This could potentially ramp up commercialisation efforts and strengthen product offtake discussions.
In addition to the economic rare earths potential at Yangibana, any viable niobium recoveries may provide a significant financial boost to the project. Niobium is classified as a critical mineral by multiple governments and is considered vital due to its use in high-strength low-alloy steels, the defence industry, and emerging energy transition technologies.
Zirconium is a strong, corrosion-resistant metal prized for its use in high-tech alloys due to its extreme hardness. Hafnium plays a pivotal role in nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding because of its high neutron absorption capacity and exceptional corrosion resistance.
Global Experience and Project Timeline
Enuo brings extensive operational and processing experience from Africa, China, and Japan to the partnership. This expertise could accelerate Hastings' ambitions for supplying niobium, zirconium, and hafnium.
The groundbreaking Yangibana rare earths project is now a joint venture between Hastings, which holds a 40 per cent stake, and Wyloo Metals. The project is fully permitted and aims for first production in 2026, with plans to produce an initial 37,000 tonnes of mixed rare earths concentrate annually.
Wyloo is owned by Tatterang, a private investment company owned by mining billionaires Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest and Nicola Forrest.
When it comes to critical minerals such as rare earths and niobium, the processing flowsheet and metallurgy are paramount. Hastings' move to secure potentially new revenue streams from its two Western Australian projects appears strategically well-placed.
Niobium has the potential to be a company-maker in its own right, as demonstrated spectacularly when WA1 Resources' share price soared following significant niobium discoveries.
