How Narryer Metals Is Unlocking Rare Earth Riches at Rocky Gully

Rocky Gully’s Metallurgical Breakthrough

Narryer Metals Limited (ASX, NYM) has revealed positive metallurgical benchtop study results at its Rocky Gully Critical Minerals Project in Western Australia’s Great Southern region. The studies suggest a viable pathway to producing a saleable rare earth concentrate, a significant step forward for the company’s ambitions in the critical minerals sector.

The project hosts notably high grades of total rare earth oxides (TREO) up to 1.8%, scandium concentrations reaching 518 ppm, and gallium up to 104 ppm, all within shallow, easily accessible clay deposits. This near-surface mineralisation offers a cost-effective mining profile, with no overburden and soft clays conducive to low-impact strip mining.

Beneficiation and Processing Advances

Recent beneficiation work has demonstrated a 124% increase in TREO grade, achieved through physical separation techniques such as heavy liquid separation and gravity concentration methods including Multi Gravity Separator and Reflux Classifier. Importantly, the concentrate is low in thorium and uranium, which reduces regulatory and handling complexities, enhancing its attractiveness to potential buyers.

Complementing physical beneficiation, Narryer is progressing acid leach extraction studies with the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia (MRIWA), including the use of organic acids that promise environmental and cost benefits. Results from these studies are expected imminently.

Innovative Bio-Leaching Collaboration

Looking ahead, Narryer is initiating bio-leach testing with Estonian biomining specialist BiotaTec. This novel approach uses microorganisms to extract scandium and rare earth elements selectively from the iron oxide-rich clays, potentially offering a more sustainable and cost-effective extraction method. Bioleaching has shown promise in similar projects, such as Octava Minerals’ Byro project, underscoring its growing relevance in critical minerals processing.

Strategic Positioning Amid Global Shifts

Executive Chairman Richard Bevan highlighted the strategic importance of Rocky Gully amid tightening global supply chains for critical minerals. With China restricting exports of key elements like scandium and rare earths, Australia’s role as a reliable supplier is gaining prominence, further bolstered by recent US-Australia partnerships targeting critical mineral security.

Rocky Gully’s proximity to established infrastructure, including sealed roads, power, and ports at Albany, Bunbury, and Kwinana, and its location on disturbed farmland and plantations, positions it well for development with minimal environmental disruption.

Outlook and Next Steps

Narryer plans to continue metallurgical refinement and expand drilling programs to better define mineralisation extents. The company’s dual-path flowsheet concept targets scandium-rich near-surface horizons and underlying rare earth-rich saprolite clays, potentially producing multiple concentrate products. As the critical minerals sector intensifies, Rocky Gully’s advancing studies and strategic advantages could attract further investment and partnerships.