Kangankunde Monazite Yields 97% NdPr Recovery in ANSTO Testwork
Lindian Resources confirms a high-grade, ultra-low-radiation rare earth carbonate product from its Kangankunde project, achieving 97% recovery of critical neodymium and praseodymium. The breakthrough promises simpler processing and competitive operating costs.
- High-grade monazite concentrate with 55.9% total rare earth oxides
- 97% recovery of neodymium and praseodymium in mixed rare earth carbonate
- Ultra-low uranium and thorium levels enabling non-radioactive transport
- Conventional sulphuric acid bake and water leach process with fast kinetics
- Ongoing optimisation to reduce acid consumption and benchmark caustic conversion
Premium Rare Earth Feedstock Confirmed
Lindian Resources has announced compelling metallurgical testwork results from its Kangankunde Rare Earths Project in Malawi, conducted by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO). The tests confirm that Kangankunde’s monazite concentrate is a premium feedstock, boasting an impressive 55.9% total rare earth oxide (TREO) grade and exceptionally low levels of radioactive elements uranium and thorium. This positions the concentrate as non-radioactive for transport, a significant advantage over many monazite sources that typically require complex handling and compliance measures.
High Recovery and Clean Processing
The conventional sulphuric acid bake followed by ambient-temperature water leach demonstrated rapid and efficient extraction of rare earth elements. Notably, the process achieved 97% recovery of neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr), the critical magnet rare earths essential for high-tech applications such as electric vehicles and wind turbines. More than 90% of rare earth dissolution occurred within the first hour of leaching, indicating a robust and forgiving operating window that should ease scale-up and commercialisation.
Low Radionuclides Simplify Downstream Operations
The ultra-low radionuclide content in both the concentrate and the resulting mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product is a standout feature. Uranium and thorium levels in the MREC are below detection limits, eliminating the need for tertiary ion-exchange steps to remove these elements. This simplification reduces operating costs, environmental compliance burdens, and logistical complexities, making Kangankunde’s product highly attractive to downstream processors and end-users.
Optimisation and Optionality in Progress
Lindian is advancing further testwork to optimise acid consumption, which currently ranges between 1.2 and 1.4 tonnes of sulphuric acid per tonne of concentrate. The goal is to maintain or improve rare earth recoveries while reducing reagent costs. Parallel benchmarking of a caustic-conversion route is also underway to provide processing flexibility and meet diverse customer preferences. These efforts aim to refine operating cost estimates and enhance the project’s commercial appeal.
Strategic Implications and Market Positioning
With a clearly defined, industry-standard flowsheet producing a high-grade, low-impurity MREC, Lindian is well positioned to engage downstream partners and offtake customers. The combination of high recovery rates, low complexity, and non-Class 7 logistics credentials could provide a structural advantage in the competitive rare earths market. This development aligns with Lindian’s broader strategy to become a globally significant critical minerals producer, supported by recent strategic partnerships and funding milestones.
Bottom Line?
Lindian’s Kangankunde advances as a rare earths project with premium product quality and streamlined processing, setting the stage for commercial momentum.
Questions in the middle?
- How will acid consumption optimisation impact overall operating costs and project economics?
- What are the comparative advantages of the caustic-conversion route versus the acid bake process?
- How will downstream partners respond to the ultra-low radiation MREC in terms of pricing and offtake agreements?
