Eclipse Metals Advances NdPr Beneficiation at Grønnedal with Strong Mineralogical Support

Mineralogical Analysis Confirms Concentration of Value Metals

Eclipse Metals Limited (ASX:EPM) has revealed compelling mineralogical data from its Grønnedal rare earths project in southwest Greenland, showing that between 87.5% and 94.3% of the critical neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) are contained within identified rare earth element (REE) mineral groups. This concentration is a vital step in validating a beneficiation pathway that could efficiently upgrade ore before chemical processing.

The study, conducted by ALS Metallurgy, focused on four composite samples from 2025 drilling, using advanced techniques like TIMA and XRD to map mineral distribution and liberation. The dominant REE minerals identified include synchysite and calcioancylite-type fluorocarbonates and carbonates, with minor bastnäsite, parisite, monazite, and xenotime also present. Notably, 63–75% of fluorocarbonates and 61–79% of carbonates exhibit at least 30% exposed mineral surface, signalling favourable conditions for flotation response.

Physical Separation Tests Show Promising Upgrades

Preliminary beneficiation tests led by Tetra Tech have demonstrated encouraging potential for physical separation methods. Density-based separation removed low-grade silicates while retaining 75% to 90% of total rare earth elements (TREE), achieving an upgrade factor ranging from 1.1 to 2.3. Magnetic separation further enhanced concentrate quality by rejecting 12% of mass and 19% of iron, with about 70% TREE recovery when combined with density separation. This produced a concentrate grade of approximately 12,700 ppm TREE, alongside promising recovery of critical byproducts like strontium and gallium.

These findings build on earlier magnetic separation results that suggested over 90% REE recovery in magnetic fractions, laying groundwork for a multi-stage beneficiation approach. The combined physical methods aim to selectively remove carbonate gangue minerals such as siderite, calcite, strontianite, and apatite, which are abundant in the deposit.

Grønnedal Resource and Strategic Location Support Development

The Grønnedal project hosts a substantial Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 208 million tonnes at 0.72% total rare earth oxides (TREO), including around 1.5 million tonnes of TREO and 456,000 tonnes of Nd₂O₃ plus Pr₂O₃. The deposit lies within the Ivigtût multi-commodity project, benefiting from proximity to maritime infrastructure and deep-water access in Greenland, a jurisdiction increasingly important for diversified critical mineral supply chains.

Executive Chairman Carl Popal emphasised the significance of the mineralogical results: "With between 87.5% and 94.3% of NdPr hosted in identified REE-bearing mineral groups across the four composites, we now have a sound mineralogical basis for the next phase of metallurgical development. Our focus will be to convert this mineralogical opportunity into measured flotation recovery and concentrate grade." This next phase will include flotation testwork to optimise reagent regimes and selective regrinding to enhance concentrate purity.

Next Steps Target Flotation and Hydrometallurgical Testing

The company plans a comprehensive test program to refine the beneficiation process. This includes rougher and scavenger flotation trials to screen collector, depressant, pH, and conditioning variables, followed by cleaner flotation and selective regrind tests. Magnetic removal of magnetite and hematite will also be assessed where applicable.

Subsequent hydrometallurgical testing of the flotation concentrate will aim to define overall rare earth recovery, supported by mineralogical confirmation of key REE phases using LA-ICP-MS and Raman spectroscopy. These steps will be critical to translating the mineralogical promise into economic viability.

Environmental and permitting considerations are underway, reflecting the project's greenfields status and the need to integrate social and community impacts into development plans.