SIZING UP A RARE OPPORTUNITY

GROWING DEMAND, COMPLEX GEOLOGY AND SHIFTING GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAINS ARE PUSHING RARE EARTH MINERS TO RETHINK THEIR FRONT-END PROCESSING.

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Demand for rare earths has doubled over the past decade, with the International Energy Agency forecasting that it could double again by 2050.

That demand is being driven by the central role rare earth elements (REE) play in the manufacture of clean energy technologies such as wind turbines, renewable batteries and electric vehicles. A renewed effort by Western nations to secure supply chains by sourcing REEs outside of China, which has increased export controls on several critical minerals, has further intensified the focus on diversified production.

Australia holds at least four per cent of the world's rare earth reserves, positioning it strongly for growth. The recent US-Australia Critical Minerals Framework added further momentum to the development of exploration, production and processing capabilities across the country.

However, accessing REEs is not always straightforward.

While traditional processing flowsheets for REEs rely heavily on multiple stages of crushing, screening and grinding, many operations are now investigating alternative front-end strategies that reduce capital intensity, simplify material handling, and improve mine-to-mill efficiency.

One such approach is in-pit sizing – the use of a Sizer within or near the mining face to condition ore before it leaves the pit.

For rare earth projects, which often occur in complex geological settings with variable textures, weathered profiles and highly abrasive gangue minerals, in-pit sizing offers compelling advantages. These include reducing haulage requirements, stabilising feed to downstream plants and minimising the number of material-transfer points, each of which can materially reduce operating expenditure.

MMD Group, a leading provider of mineral processing technologies for the mining, quarrying and recycling sectors, is helping REE miners explore this approach.