Arafura’s Rare Earth demonstration program update of good progress

Arafura’s Rare Earth production flowsheet has previously been proven at pilot scale. The purpose of this program is to operate at a larger scale to reduce Nolans project scale up risk, optimise equipment selection and verify design data. Scale up ratios from the demonstration plant to full scale plant are in the range 1:140 to 1:280 for major plant areas. The program will also generate samples for target customer evaluation and further build confidence. In addition, Arafura will gain detailed operating experience which will be invaluable in the future when full scale operations commence. Good progress has been made to date. This work program is on track as a key component of the BFS which is due to be completed with project finance in place by the end of 2012. (more…)