Business
Defense Metals Hydrometallurgy Test Program Achieves ~90% Rare Earth Element Extraction From Wicheeda Flotation Concentrate
Defense Metals Hydrometallurgy Test Program Achieves ~90% Rare Earth Element Extraction Fr...
About this update from Defense Metals Corp.
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n\n\nDefense Metals Hydrometallurgy Test Program Achieves ~90% Rare Earth Element Extraction From Wicheeda Flotation Concentrate\n\n/* Style Definitions */\nspan.prnews_span\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\na.prnews_a\n{\ncolor:blue;\n}\nli.prnews_li\n{\nfont-size:8pt;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\n}\np.prnews_p\n{\nfont-size:0.62em;\nfont-family:\"Arial\";\ncolor:black;\nmargin:0in;\n}\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nCanada NewsWire\nVANCOUVER, Feb. 18, 2020\n\n\n\nVANCOUVER, Feb. 18, 2020 /CNW/ - Defense Metals Corp. (\"Defense Metals\") (TSX-V:DEFN / OTCQB:DFMTF / FSE:35D) is pleased to announce that it has received final bench-scale hydrometallurgical test program results for the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property (\"Wicheeda\") from SGS Canada Inc. (\"SGS\"). Samples of Wicheeda flotation concentrate used in a hydrometallurgical test program led to the successful development of a flowsheet capable of processing the concentrate to a high grade mixed REE hydroxide precipitate. Highlights of the recently completed hydrometallurgical test program include:\nInitial processing via mild hydrochloric acid leach to extract gangue minerals while leaving REE (Rare Earth Elements) in the leach residue. High REE extraction from flotation concentrate of ~ 90% into a chloride based leach solution with opportunities identified to increase recoveries even further. Simple treatment of the leach solution with limestone achieved high (94-100%) removal of impurities such as iron, phosphorous, and thorium with only minor (2-4 %) REE losses. Simple treatment of purified liquor with hydrated lime led to the production of a high grade 67.5% TREE (Total REE, see Table 1 for detailed composition) mixed REE hydroxide precipitate at high (99-100%) Critical REE recovery from solution. Overall recoveries of 70-75% TREE from bulk sample to a high grade mixed REE hydroxide precipitate, and up to 76-78% TREE with reprocessing of the final leach residue. Regeneration of 20% (w/w) hydrochloric acid from final process liquors for re-use in the leaching operation.As noted above, flowsheet improvement options have been identified that will be investigated through further testing including: locked cycle testing to investigate effect of recycling regenerated hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide; optimization of the gangue leach circuit t...