Hastings Technology Metals has forged a strategic partnership with renowned minerals processing firm Enuo Holdings to unlock the value of critical mineral by-products, including niobium, from its two Western Australian rare earths projects, Yangibana and Brockman.
Binding Agreement for Technical Research
The two companies have executed a binding Technical Services and Research Agreement, launching a targeted program to deepen their understanding of the metallurgical characteristics of the coveted critical minerals at Brockman. These metallurgical insights are also applicable to Hastings' joint venture with Wyloo at Yangibana.
Comprehensive Testwork and Recovery Focus
At both Brockman and Yangibana, Enuo will undertake comprehensive testwork to gain metallurgical insights into ore composition, recovery estimates, and behaviour, while determining optimal processing options. A strong emphasis will be placed on maximising the recovery of by-product metals such as zirconium and hafnium, alongside niobium.
Enuo will conduct exploratory beneficiation testwork, including crushing, milling, flotation, and magnetic separation. This aims to upgrade mineralised recovery grades and discover the best methods to liberate these minerals from the ore.
Strategic Value and Commercial Viability
The program will aid in developing a processing flowsheet for Yangibana ore, integrating seamlessly with the processing of Hastings' valuable neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) concentrate. Hastings' strategy is to maximise by-product value from both projects and broaden its mineral product offering.
The company believes this testwork will better assess the commercial viability of shipping beneficiated material to offshore processing facilities. Leveraging Enuo's downstream processing expertise is expected to design a flowsheet that broadens revenue streams and enhances project economics.
"This technical study with Enuo is a strategic step that delivers value to both pillars of our portfolio... 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," said Hastings Technology Metals chief executive officer Vince Catania.
Transferable Insights and Primary Objectives
Metallurgical insights are transferable, significantly boosting both projects through vital processing improvements and knowledge, leading to greater recovery of niobium and valuable by-products. The primary objective is to design and optimise processing flowsheets for cost-efficient recovery of rare earths, niobium, and additional by-products at Brockman and Yangibana.
Commercially, the testwork aims to identify optimum specifications for concentrates and downstream processes, potentially ramping up commercialisation efforts and strengthening product offtake discussions. Any viable niobium recoveries could financially turbocharge the Yangibana project, adding to its economic rare earths potential.
Critical Minerals and Their Applications
Niobium is classified as a critical mineral by multiple governments, vital for 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 high-tech alloys due to its extreme hardness. Hafnium plays a pivotal role in nuclear reactor fuel rod cladding due to its high neutron absorption capacity and exceptional corrosion resistance.
Enuo's Expertise and Project Details
Enuo brings extensive operational and processing experience from Africa, China, and Japan, potentially accelerating Hastings' ambitions for niobium, zirconium, and hafnium supply. The groundbreaking Yangibana rare earths project is now a joint venture, with Hastings holding a 40 per cent stake and Wyloo Metals the remainder. Fully permitted, it aims for first production in 2026, with plans for 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.
Industry Context and Potential Impact
For critical minerals like rare earths and niobium, processing flowsheets and metallurgy are paramount. Hastings' move to secure new revenue streams from its projects appears well-positioned. Niobium alone can be a company-maker, as demonstrated by WA1's share price surge following solid niobium hits.
This partnership underscores the growing importance of maximising value from mineral resources in Western Australia's critical minerals sector, aligning with global demands for materials essential in advanced technologies and the energy transition.
