How OD6 Metals’ New Process Could Transform Splinter Rock Rare Earths

Innovative Processing Milestone

OD6 Metals Limited has announced a significant technical breakthrough for its Splinter Rock Rare Earth Project in Western Australia. Supported by metallurgical testwork from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and engineering studies by CPC Engineering, the company has selected a preferred process flowsheet that promises high recoveries of valuable rare earth elements (REEs) alongside superior product quality and cost efficiencies.

The chosen flowsheet employs a multi-stage approach combining heap leaching, nanofiltration, ion exchange, and impurity removal. This innovative sequence enables approximately 75% recovery of critical magnet rare earths such as neodymium and praseodymium, which are essential for permanent magnet manufacturing. The resulting mixed rare earth carbonate and hydroxide products boast high total rare earth oxide content (~56-59% TREO) with impressively low levels of impurities including aluminium, iron, phosphorus, and silicon. Notably, uranium and thorium concentrations are extremely low (<0.001%), enhancing the safety and transportability of the final product.

Advancing Towards Production

With the preferred flowsheet now established, OD6 is progressing to the next phase of development. A metallurgical diamond core drilling campaign is nearing completion, expected to deliver 2 to 2.5 tonnes of rare earth-bearing core samples to ANSTO for advanced scale-up testing. These tests, scheduled throughout the first half of 2026, will refine process parameters and validate the flowsheet at larger scales.

Concurrently, the company has engaged Burnt Shirt Pty Ltd to initiate a mining study focusing on pit shell analysis, stripping ratios, mine scheduling, and preliminary cost assessments at the Inside Centre Deposit. These studies will underpin future feasibility evaluations and support strategic discussions with potential financing partners and government stakeholders.

Strategic Positioning in Rare Earths Supply

OD6’s Managing Director Brett Hazelden highlighted the strategic importance of this milestone, emphasizing the project’s ability to produce high-value, low-impurity rare earth products attractive to global supply chains. The company is actively engaging with potential offtake partners, separation facilities, end-users, and governments, reinforcing Splinter Rock’s role in addressing critical mineral supply challenges.

Moreover, the onsite chlor-alkali facility planned for reagent production positions OD6 for potential future expansion into selective production of individual rare earth oxides, such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium, through chloride-based solvent extraction processes.

Outlook and Next Steps

While the preferred flowsheet selection marks a pivotal technical achievement, OD6 cautions that further exploration, metallurgical scale-up, and mining studies are required to confirm production targets and project economics. The company’s aspirational goal is to become a producer of over 6,000 tonnes per annum of rare earth oxides within five years, a target that remains conceptual pending ongoing work.

Investors and industry observers will be watching closely as ANSTO’s scale-up testing results emerge and mining studies progress, providing clearer insights into the project’s commercial viability and potential market impact.