St George Mining (ASX: SGQ) has provided an update on test work for niobium and rare earth beneficiation on mineralisation from the company’s world-class, 100%-owned Araxá project in Minas Gerais, Brazil.
The pilot plant study has commenced at CIT-SENAI to build on the strong results from initial flotation beneficiation test work that produced a high-grade niobium concentrate and a rare earth-enriched tailings stream. About 9 tonnes of near-surface saprolite material from the Araxá project is being used in the study, which will continue for four to six weeks. Locked cycle flotation test work incorporating recycle streams is included in the study to further optimise recoveries and grades from the initial test work.
Niobium concentrate from the pilot plant study will undergo downstream processing test work targeting ferroniobium while the rare-earth-enriched niobium flotation tailings will be evaluated through downstream hydrometallurgical test work targeting an intermediate product such as mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) or rare earth oxalate.
Results from the beneficiation test work are expected in Q4 2026. Additional beneficiation test work and mineralogical characterisation are ongoing at multiple international laboratories including SGS Lakefield Canada and Tecnicas Reunidas in Spain.
The results will support the development of the flotation flowsheet for the dual processing of niobium and rare earths in a potential mining operation at the Araxá project.
St George’s pilot plant is advancing, with required environmental and building permits received and construction commenced.
“We were very excited to visit the CIT-SENAI pilot plant facility in Belo Horizonte last week to see first-hand the latest beneficiation test work underway,” St George executive chairman John Prineas said.
“Our initial flotation test work produced niobium concentrate with recoveries and grades that are consistent with niobium mining operations for Araxá-style pyrochlore mineralisation. Significantly, the test work also achieved significant upgrading of the rare earths in the niobium flotation tailings.
“Our aim is to replicate these strong results in the pilot plant study and continue developing the flowsheet that will be implemented in our own pilot plant being built at CEFET-MG in Araxá.
“This beneficiation work stream is an important step in our journey to advance the development potential of Araxá to become a globally significant producer of rare earths and niobium.”
