Tundulu is a known carbonatite complex in southern Malawi enriched in REE and Niobium mineralisation.
Exceptional historical high-grade drill intercepts at Tundulu include1:
Tundulu is formed of several hills in a ring around a central vent called Nathace Hill where the majority of the historic surface sampling and drilling was undertaken. The predominate geology at Nathace Hill is REE apatite, REE carbonatites and feldspathic breccia, and comprises a large inner agglomerate vent. Mineral rich carbonatite also occurs at Tundulu Hill east of Nathace and Makhanga Hill west of Nathace and is previously unexplored and prospective for REEs.
REE mineralisation remains open towards southern and western directions of Nathace Hill and potentially extends beyond the boundaries of the previously established mineralised area over Tundulu Hill. Initial indications of mineralisation appear to be high in valuable MREEs and low measurable radioactive uranium (U) and thorium (Th). This compares favourably to Lynas Rare Earths’ Mount Weld Central Lanthanide Deposit where Th and U concentrations in the ore are approximately 660 ppm and 25 ppm respectively.2
DY6 has engaged Perth-based consulting metallurgists Met Chem Consulting for initial metallurgical evaluation to review historical testwork work programs and assess the findings from the 2017 metallurgical report. Met Chem Consulting has 20 years’ experience and has overseen beneficiation testwork and pilot programs for many ASX-listed companies and overseas rare earths projects.
The testwork by DY6 will initially focus on validating the beneficiation results achieved by previous laboratory test work. Following on from this, a structured program of optimisation of key grinding and flotation reagent parameters will be executed aimed at maximising both grade and recovery of rare earth and phosphate host minerals. Conducting test work at this early stage enables the Company to ascertain the preliminary viability of producing two product streams; a REE commercially saleable concentrate and a mixed phosphate concentrate containing rare earths.
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