Luni Niobium Concentrate Yields 65.7% Nb Ferroniobium in Proof-of-Concept Test

Milestone Achievement at West Arunta

WAT Resources Ltd (ASX: WA1) has announced a significant technical achievement in its West Arunta Project with the successful production of ferroniobium from refined niobium concentrate sourced from its Luni deposit. The testwork, completed in a Perth laboratory, yielded a ferroniobium sample containing 65.7% niobium and 24.3% iron, aligning closely with commercial product specifications.

This breakthrough represents the final stage in a conventional three-step process flowsheet, beneficiation, refining, and conversion, validating the amenability of Luni’s mineralisation to established ferroniobium production methods. Managing Director Paul Savich highlighted the rapid progress, noting it took just over a year from initial testwork to this proof-of-concept success.

Technical Insights and Industry Context

Ferroniobium is the dominant form of niobium consumed globally, accounting for approximately 90% of the 125,000 tonnes annual market. The conversion process involves an aluminothermic reaction where refined concentrate is mixed with iron, aluminium, and fluxing agents, then smelted to produce ferroniobium. WAT’s testwork demonstrated effective impurity removal, with key contaminants reporting to slag, and achieved an 84% niobium recovery rate, impressive for bench-scale trials given commercial operations typically exceed 95% recovery.

WAT’s Niobium Processing Advisor, Clovis Sousa, praised the mineralisation’s responsiveness across all processing stages, emphasizing the quality and timing of results as “surprising” and “outstanding” for a first trial. The company plans to refine the iron and aluminium mix in future tests to better meet commercial product standards.

Ongoing Testwork and Strategic Development

Beyond conversion, WAT Resources is advancing extensive metallurgical programs across beneficiation and refining stages. These efforts include optimising flotation reagents, assessing water impacts, and testing variability across a broader mineralisation envelope within the northeastern focus zone of Luni. The company is also exploring the production of other high-value niobium products, such as niobium oxide, which could serve superalloy and battery markets.

These metallurgical studies are integral to de-risking the project’s processing flowsheet and underpinning future mine planning and development. The company’s methodical approach reflects a commitment to establishing a robust, scalable operation in one of Australia’s underexplored regions.

Positioning for Market and Operational Success

WAT Resources’ achievement with ferroniobium production places it on a promising trajectory within the global niobium sector, where supply is concentrated and demand is growing for high-performance steel and emerging technologies. The West Arunta Project’s progress signals potential to contribute meaningfully to this market, leveraging conventional processing techniques that align with industry standards.

While the current results derive from bench-scale testwork, the company’s forward-looking programs aim to scale and optimise production efficiencies. Investors and analysts will be watching closely as WAT Resources transitions from metallurgical validation to pre-development and eventual commercialisation phases.