Resouro Strategic Metals has finalized a key process flowsheet for its Tiros Project in Brazil, paving the way for a Preliminary Economic Assessment focused on high-grade titanium and rare earth recovery. This milestone brings the project closer to defining costs and production parameters.
- Completion of a process flowsheet after 18 months of metallurgical testing
- Flowsheet uses conventional technologies with mostly Brazilian-sourced equipment
- Two main processing streams target coarse titanium concentrate and fine titanium powder plus rare earth elements
- Ongoing confirmation test work at SGS Lakefield to finalize recoveries and product specs
- Tiros Project holds significant titanium dioxide and rare earth mineral resources in Minas Gerais
A Technical Milestone for Tiros
Resouro Strategic Metals has reached a pivotal stage in the development of its Tiros Project, located in Brazil’s Minas Gerais state. After an exhaustive 18-month period of metallurgical test work, the company has selected a process flowsheet that will underpin its upcoming Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). This flowsheet is designed to efficiently recover high-grade titanium and rare earth elements, two critical materials with growing global demand.
The chosen flowsheet combines conventional hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical techniques, with a strong emphasis on sourcing equipment locally within Brazil. This approach not only leverages proven technologies but also aligns with logistical and cost efficiencies, potentially smoothing the path to commercial viability.
Dual Processing Streams Tailored to Mineralogy
The flowsheet features two distinct processing streams. The first targets coarse particles to produce a high-grade titanium dioxide concentrate suitable for traditional titanium markets. The second stream focuses on fine particles, recovering a fine titanium powder alongside mixed rare earth sulfates. These rare earth products can be further refined into carbonates or oxides, essential components for advanced technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
This dual-stream design reflects a deep understanding of the Tiros mineralization, balancing metallurgical complexity with market demands. The flowsheet was developed by a team of experts led by Dr. Lino Freitas and Steve Williams, whose combined experience spans decades and continents, lending credibility to the technical foundation of the project.
Next Steps and Market Implications
With the flowsheet finalized, Resouro is conducting further confirmation test work at SGS Lakefield in Canada. These tests will provide the data necessary to define recoveries, mass balances, and product specifications in accordance with NI 43-101 standards. The results will feed directly into the PEA, which will outline capital and operating costs, offering investors a clearer picture of the project’s economic potential.
Resouro’s Tiros Project boasts a substantial mineral resource estimate, including 165 million tonnes of titanium dioxide and 5.5 million tonnes of total rare earth oxides within a measured and indicated resource of 1.4 billion tonnes. This scale positions Tiros as a significant future supplier in markets increasingly focused on securing critical minerals.
Looking ahead, the company is also exploring alternative technologies through partnerships, such as its recent memorandum of understanding with Rare Earth Technologies in Cincinnati, Ohio. These efforts suggest a strategic approach to optimizing processing and enhancing project value as it advances toward a preliminary feasibility study.
Bottom Line?
Resouro’s flowsheet finalization marks a crucial step toward unlocking Tiros’ vast titanium and rare earth potential, with economic clarity on the horizon.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the final recoveries and operating costs reveal once confirmation tests conclude?
- How might alternative technologies impact the project’s economics in the upcoming feasibility study?
- What are the potential market dynamics for titanium and rare earth products from Tiros amid global supply challenges?