ACDC Metals Validates Goschen Central Flowsheet with Strong Metallurgical Results
ACDC Metals has completed a comprehensive metallurgical testwork program at its Goschen Central Project, confirming the viability of its processing flowsheet and advancing the project towards feasibility and potential offtake agreements.
- Positive metallurgical results from 1.6 tonne bulk sample
- Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) with >25% Zircon and >27% Titania grades
- Monazite concentrate yields 60.5% total rare earth oxides (TREO)
- Product suite confirmed saleable by independent TZMI marketing study
- Testwork supports next development phase and offtake discussions
Metallurgical Milestone at Goschen Central
ACDC Metals Limited (ASX: ADC) has announced the successful completion of a metallurgical testwork program on a 1.6 tonne heavy mineral sand bulk sample from its Goschen Central Project in western Victoria. Conducted by Mineral Technologies in Queensland, the program validates the project's nominated processing flowsheet and confirms the saleability of its product suite, marking a critical step forward in project development.
The testwork results are consistent with characteristics typical of Murray Basin 'WIM style' heavy mineral sand deposits, aligning Goschen Central with other advanced projects in the region. This similarity supports a streamlined approach to plant design and development, potentially accelerating the project timeline.
Robust Product Quality and Composition
Key findings from the testwork include a Heavy Mineral Concentrate (HMC) grading over 25% Zircon and 27% Titania, with the Zircon concentrate meeting chemical grade standards at over 65% ZrO2 content. The rare earth mineral concentrate (REMC) is dominated by monazite (86.7%) and xenotime (9.83%), with monazite concentrate yielding an impressive 60.5% total rare earth oxides (TREO).
The titanium suite offers flexibility for customers, with options to produce a single Ti concentrate targeting 60% TiO2 or to separate into high-purity individual products such as rutile (>98% TiO2), leucoxene (70-98% TiO2), and ilmenite (40-70% TiO2). Notably, the flotation process achieved a 93.8% recovery rate for monazite, underscoring the efficiency of the flowsheet.
Market Validation and Strategic Positioning
Independent marketing analysis by TZ Minerals International (TZMI) has benchmarked Goschen Central’s products favorably against peer Murray Basin projects nearing execution. TZMI’s pricing forecasts indicate that approximately 85% of the Heavy Mineral Concentrate’s value per tonne derives from zircon products, with the remaining 15% from combined titania concentrates.
ACDC Metals CEO Tom Davidson highlighted the significance of the testwork completion, stating it underwrites the project’s value and enables meaningful discussions with potential customers and strategic partners. The company is now positioned to advance economic assessments and progress towards feasibility studies.
Next Steps and Development Outlook
Further work is ongoing to investigate the inclusion of the fine mineral fraction (20-38 microns), which, despite representing less than 4% of the bulk sample mass, contains nearly 10% of the total zircon and monazite. The current Mineral Resource estimate, based on particles larger than 38 microns, will underpin the upcoming Scoping Study.
Additional aircore drilling and metallurgical testwork are planned to refine resource definition and optimize product quality. The company’s secure tenure and strategic location within the prolific Murray Basin mineral sands province provide a solid foundation for advancing the Goschen Central Project.
Bottom Line?
With metallurgical validation in hand, ACDC Metals is primed to translate resource potential into commercial reality, but market uptake and pricing remain key variables to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- How will inclusion of the fine mineral fraction impact the overall resource value and processing flowsheet?
- What timelines and terms are anticipated for securing offtake agreements with strategic partners?
- How will evolving rare earth and zircon market dynamics influence the project's economic viability?
