Arafura Resources Ltd (ASX:ARU) has updated its JORC Ore Reserve for its flagship Nolans Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) Project in the Northern Territory.
The update features a 54% increase to 29.5 million tonnes grading 2.9% TREO and 13% P2O5 including 26.4% NdPr enrichment.
Using the processing design envelope from the definitive feasibility study (DFS) the Ore Reserves support production over 33 years, an increase of 10 years over the 23-year base case in the DFS.
Production schedule reveals lower costs[hhmc]
In addition to the updated Ore Reserves, Arafuras mining consultant has also prepared a production schedule.
Scheduling of the mining inventory, with some minor changes to the design envelope of the process plant, provides far superior financial outcomes over those delivered in the DFS base case.
The mining inventory production schedule supports production over 39 years of an average of 4,325 tonnes per annum of NdPr oxide at an operating cost of less than US$24 per kilogram NdPr oxide (net of phosphoric acid by-product credit).
Arafura one of lowest cost NdPr producers in the world[hhmc]
Arafuras managing director Gavin Lockyer said: “The reduction in operating costs cements Arafura as one of the lowest-cost NdPr producers in the world.
“The increase in Ore Reserves and mining inventory attests to the long-term potential of the Nolans Project and when read in conjunction with the recently announced deep drilling results, reinforces its standing as a world-class NdPr development opportunity.
“I challenge anyone to find a better fully permitted, fully costed NdPr-focused project outside China.
“It meets all the criteria to be a long term, sustainable supplier of critical minerals into clean energy technologies, and will deliver intergenerational benefits in a part of Australia that is challenged by limited opportunities for genuine economic development.”
Recent drilling also points to resource growth[hhmc]
Arafura recently completed a nine-hole drilling program included four deep exploration holes targeting down-dip extensions to existing JORC resources in the deposits North and Southeast Zones.Read More – Source
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