To date, the manufacturing and construction of the permanent metallurgical and analytical test laboratories have commenced, with construction of the Demonstration Plant to be completed by the end of Q2 and the start of operations expected by Q3 of this year.
With the construction of the plant, Ionic Rare Earths will validate and optimize results from the Makuutu Mine’s Stage 1 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS), thereby providing a foundation for grade control, mine design, material handling, metallurgical reconciliation as well as the scaling-up of construction activity to support the commercial project financing process.
“The commencement of the Demonstration Plant construction at Makuutu, plus approval to proceed granted by the MEMD in Uganda, represents an exciting milestone for the Project and the Company. The process of de-risking the operation and providing MREC samples is essential to the next stage of attracting supply chain partners and moving towards a Final Investment Decision on the positive outcome of the Demonstration Plant,” stated Tim Harrison, Managing Director of Ionic Rare Earths.
The plant represents the first ionic absorption technical facility outside of China as well as the initial phase of development of the Makuutu Mine.
“With the Makuutu Stage 1 DFS now completed, and Mineral Liberation Analysis progressing in Uganda, the support from the MEMD to approve progressing to the next step is a positive signal as well their commitment to sustaining an enabling environment and continued support for the development of the Makuutu Rare Earths Project. This Project will be Uganda’s flagship, long-life mine. We expect that as we progress through Q2, we will continue to receive positive support on the application, and greater definition on the role Makuutu will play in establishing a heavy rare earths supply opportunity to western end users,” Harrison concluded.
