Australia’s next rare earths producer Hastings Technology Metals Limited (ASX: HAS) is pleased to announce that it has received conditional approval from the WA Government to develop the Yangibana Rare Earths Project’s (Yangibana) hydrometallurgical plant in the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA), near Onslow on the Pilbara coast.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Hastings receives conditional approval to construct the Yangibana Rare Earth Project’s hydrometallurgical plant in the Ashburton North Strategic Industrial Area (ANSIA), just outside of Onslow.
- Decision underpins Hastings’ strong support for – and from – the Onslow community to create local jobs and economic benefits.
- Building Yangibana’s hydrometallurgical plant at ANSIA is a core part of Hastings’ downstream processing program.
- ANSIA location eliminates requirement for 114km gas pipeline to Yangibana – estimated cost saving of $68m.
- ANSIA site offers access to piped natural gas, plentiful supply of water and grid power.
- Location reduces by up to 80% volumes of consumables, products and chemicals needed to be transported to the Yangibana mine site.
ANSIA is home to Chevron’s Wheatstone and BHP’s Macedon gas projects and offers Hastings access to key utilities as well as proximity to a skilled workforce in Onslow and the town’s port and airport facilities.
The ANSIA location has access to key connections services required for rare earths processing, such as piped natural gas, sufficient water and power, which are all located within close proximity of the proposed Yangibana hydrometallurgical location.
ANSIA is approximately 430km by road from the Yangibana mine site, ensuring a cost-efficient delivery of a highgrade concentrate from the mine site to the hydrometallurgical plant for final production of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) that will have industry high volumes of neodymium and praseodymium, together referred to as NdPr. They are vital raw materials used in the manufacture of permanent magnets for use in electric vehicles, wind turbines and other clean-energy products.
Charles Lew, Hastings Technology Metals’ Executive Chairman, said:
“We are delighted and greatly appreciative of the warm welcome received from the Shire of Ashburton, which shares our desire for a long-life and sustainable operation that will generate highly skilled job opportunities in the Onslow area.
“Our focus now is on completing the ANSIA lease agreements with DevelopmentWA and the WA Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation as well as finalising Yangibana’s CAPEX to factor in the decision – announced in July 2020 – to separate the mining operation from a coast-based hydrometallurgical plant.”
