Strong Leach Recoveries and Low Impurities Drive Halleck Creek Closer to Unlocking Its Rare Earth Potential

Core Insights - American Rare Earths has completed an extensive leach testing program on ore from the Cowboy State Mine, part of the Halleck Creek Rare Earths Project in Wyoming, which is a significant milestone for the project [2][3][5]. Leach Testing Results - The leach tests were conducted at SGS's laboratory in Ontario, Canada, involving 25 tests that explored various parameters and methods [2][3]. - The tests established optimal leach conditions, which may lead to lower energy consumption and improved impurity removal, crucial for producing rare earth magnet oxides [3][5]. - Key leach recoveries achieved include 85% for Praseodymium (Pr) and 84% for Neodymium (Nd) under optimal conditions [7]. Impurity Reduction - The leach tests demonstrated significantly lower concentrations of iron and aluminum impurities, with reductions of approximately 80% and 65% respectively compared to previous studies [7][11][13]. - The atmospheric tank leach method was selected as the preferred leaching method due to its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness [7][8]. Next Steps in Metallurgical Testing - SGS is currently performing scoping impurity removal tests as the next step in the mineral processing flow-sheet design for the Pre-Feasibility Study [4]. Project Significance - The Halleck Creek Project is positioned to enhance U.S. critical mineral independence and reduce reliance on imports, particularly from China, while addressing the growing demand for rare earth elements [15][16]. - The project is committed to environmentally responsible mining practices and is collaborating with U.S. Government-supported R&D programs to innovate extraction and processing technologies [16].