Meteoric Resources Advances with Pilot Plant Wet Commissioning at Caldeira
Meteoric Resources has successfully completed wet commissioning of its pilot plant in Brazil, marking a key milestone towards rare earth production at the Caldeira Project. First Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate output is expected early December, supporting ongoing feasibility studies and offtake partnerships.
- Pilot plant construction and wet commissioning completed on schedule
- Plant designed to process 25kg/hour of rare earth ore
- Capital expenditure contained within A$1.5 million budget
- First Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate production anticipated in early December
- Pilot plant data to feed into Definitive Feasibility Study and downstream processing tests
A Milestone in Rare Earth Development
Meteoric Resources NL has reached a significant operational milestone with the completion of wet commissioning at its pilot plant for the Caldeira Rare Earth Ionic Clay Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. This pilot plant, designed to process 25 kilograms of ore per hour, is a critical step in validating the project’s processing flowsheet and advancing the company’s rare earth ambitions.
The pilot plant’s construction, completed within the allocated A$1.5 million budget, reflects a well-managed project timeline and resource allocation. Following dry commissioning in October, the wet commissioning phase concluded efficiently on 17 November, paving the way for process commissioning and the imminent production of Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) expected in early December.
Strategic Importance of the Pilot Plant
Beyond mere construction, the pilot plant serves multiple strategic purposes. It provides vital engineering data that will be integrated into the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) currently underway with Ausenco, helping to refine and optimize the processing flowsheet. The plant also enables Meteoric to produce bulk MREC samples for distribution to existing and prospective offtake partners, a crucial step in securing commercial agreements and validating product quality.
Moreover, the facility offers a platform to test downstream processing technologies such as solvent extraction and innovative methods like Flash Joule Heating. These tests could unlock more efficient rare earth separation techniques, potentially enhancing project economics and sustainability.
Operational Readiness and Team Execution
The successful commissioning reflects the efforts of a dedicated operations team, recruited and trained over recent months. Their work in replicating the commercial plant’s flowsheet at pilot scale demonstrates Meteoric’s commitment to de-risking the project through rigorous validation. The company’s Managing Director, Stuart Gale, praised the team’s rapid and safe execution, highlighting the pilot plant as a tangible step forward in the Caldeira Project’s development.
With first MREC production imminent, Meteoric is positioned to provide tangible product samples to offtake partners, further cementing market confidence. This progress also signals the company’s readiness to advance downstream processing assessments, which could define the next phase of project development.
Looking Ahead
As Meteoric transitions from commissioning to production, the focus will shift to the quality and consistency of MREC output and the insights gained from pilot-scale processing. These results will be instrumental in finalizing the DFS and shaping commercial strategies. Investors and industry watchers will be keen to see how these developments influence offtake negotiations and the broader rare earth market positioning.
Bottom Line?
Meteoric’s pilot plant milestone sets the stage for rare earth production and critical project validation in the coming months.
Questions in the middle?
- How will the pilot plant’s MREC quality influence offtake agreements?
- What downstream processing technologies will prove most viable at scale?
- When will Meteoric release updated DFS results incorporating pilot plant data?
