Can PMET’s Shaakichiuwaanaan Project Overcome Caesium Market Constraints?

A Breakthrough in Caesium Recovery

PMET Resources Inc. has announced a significant metallurgical milestone at its Shaakichiuwaanaan Project in Quebec, successfully producing high-grade pollucite concentrate from the Vega Caesium Zone within the CV13 Pegmatite. Using bench-scale X-Ray Transmission (XRT) ore sorting, the company achieved an impressive 11.9% caesium oxide (Cs2O) grade at an 88% global recovery rate. This result is notable given that pollucite concentrates grading above 8-10% Cs2O are considered highly marketable for downstream chemical processing.

The XRT ore sorting method employed is a dry, mechanical process widely used in mining for its efficiency and environmental benefits. It requires only coarse crushing of the ore and avoids the use of water or chemical reagents, thereby eliminating tailings production. This approach not only simplifies processing but also aligns with sustainable mining practices.

Unlocking Multiple Value Streams

Importantly, the reject material from the XRT sorting process still contains significant quantities of lithium (in the form of spodumene) and tantalum (tantalite). These minerals remain coarse enough to be recovered through conventional dense media separation and gravity/magnetic methods, respectively. This creates a compelling opportunity for PMET to develop multiple revenue streams from the same ore body, enhancing the overall project economics.

The Shaakichiuwaanaan Project’s Rigel and Vega Zones together represent the largest known pollucite-hosted caesium pegmatite resource globally, with indicated resources of 693,000 tonnes at 4.40% Cs2O and inferred resources of 1.7 million tonnes at 2.40% Cs2O. Such scale is exceptional given the rarity and typically smaller size of caesium deposits worldwide.

Strategic Next Steps and Market Potential

PMET is planning a follow-up testwork program aimed at optimizing the XRT ore sorting circuit and improving recovery rates for pollucite, spodumene, and tantalite. The company is also actively engaging with potential end-users and supply chain partners to explore the economic potential of caesium products derived from the project.

While the lithium-only feasibility study based on the CV5 Mineral Resource is nearing completion, the economics of caesium and tantalum co/by-products will be assessed separately. This staged approach reflects the complexity and novelty of integrating caesium into the project’s value proposition.

Caesium is a critical mineral with limited global supply, historically sourced from only a handful of mines. Its applications range from oil and gas drilling to medical imaging, and emerging uses in next-generation solar panels highlight its growing strategic importance. PMET’s discovery could position it as a key future supplier in this constrained market.