OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) has commenced advanced metallurgical testwork at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation as part of the ongoing optimisation and scale-up of the preferred processing flowsheet for its Splinter Rock Rare Earth Project in Western Australia, which hosts a JORC mineral resource of 682Mt at 1,338ppm TREO.
The program, representing a company commitment of more than $1 million, builds on previously reported metallurgical successes and is focused on heap leach optimisation, impurity removal refinement and the bulk production of mixed rare earth carbonate and mixed rare earth hydroxide.
Product samples exceeding 1kg will be generated to support customer qualification, offtake discussions and assessment of commercial payability, while the testwork will also monitor other elements of interest for potential recovery.
Managing Director Brett Hazelden said the program marks a key step in de-risking the Splinter Rock flowsheet by delivering robust, commercially relevant metallurgical and product data to support future development, financing and strategic engagement, including alignment with Australia's $1.2 billion Critical Minerals Strategic Reserve initiative.
At the time of reporting, OD6 Metals' share price was $0.073.