RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:RE:Lynas Corp hit an early snag in Environmental ApprovalsNext time I come across a full flow sheet I'll link it here but briefly:
Last mining campaign, blast & dig, graded 17% TREO and was loose, chocolate brown friable material, it was dumped in piles and then screened in-situ with portable plant, viewed all that first hand.
The xenotime portion from the Duncan incursion was identified and stockpilied separately, this is the HRE rich material which Lynas isn't letting on re grade, potentially something exceptional that will beused as an additive when HRE separation is established.
The geo's evaluate the stockpiles for grade & host (impurities) so that a relatively consistent blend can be made to feed to the concentrator, the more consistent the less adjustment needs to be made in process to maximise recoveries. MtW monazite hasrelatively low recoveries compared to other hosts Baotou/MtP, not so much physical restraints but cost efficiency, consequently MtW tails are 7% TREO. These are being dewatered and will ultimately be reprocessed as they are a far richer grade than virtually every other primary deposit.
Once ore concentrated it is bagged and shipped to Malaysia where it is cracked in 60 metre kilns then leached to take off the gangue and the resulting RE liquor is fed to primary SX circuits for initial separation SEG/HRE, NdPr, & LaCe. After primary these then head down their individual separation circuits.
Once separated the various REE are calcined to oxides in tunnel furnaces. Lynas now also does a lot of blending to product specs both in process & finishing, 16 individual products with more being added.
Simple overview, it is a detailed & complex process which Lynas has developed to match customers PRODUCT demand way beyond simple oxides. Point I've been making that even IF MRT or RSX worked quite well it is only a tiny part of the process of manufacturing RE product.