Altilium Sighter Test-work results for Tiros Project, Minas Gerais, Brazil Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
ASX: RAU
TSXV: RSM
TSXV Release ASX Release
26 September 2024 27 September 2024
Altilium Sighter Test-work results for Tiros Project,
Minas Gerais, Brazil
Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX: RAU; TSX-V: RSM; FSE:8TX; OTC:RSGOF)
("Resouro" or the "Company") is pleased to provide details on the sighter test-work completed
by Altilium Projects (Australia) Pty Ltd (“Altilium”), on samples from the Tiros Titanium and
Rare Earth Elements (“REE”) Project in Brazil (“Tiros Project” or “Tiros” or “Project”).
Highlights
• Sighter test-work performed by Altilium demonstrated that over 96% of Magnet Rare
Earth Oxides (“MREO”) can be extracted from the ore, this result represents the
world’s highest REE extractions on non-selective ore intervals.
• The next phase of the Altilium test -work has commenced and will focus on the
optimization of leaching parameters and downstream elements.
• Altilium’s technology delivers an environmentally friendly leaching process which
does not produce any waste products.
• Offtake enquiries received and initial discussions commenced.
Highlights
Second Phase of Altilium test-work commenced
On 13th August 2024 (TSXV 12th August 2024), Resouro announced the results of the sighter
test-work completed by Altilium. The aim of this test-work was to achieve maximum extraction
of REE and titanium minerals by applying Altilium´s patented technology. This process
includes acid regeneration with minimal acid loss as well as zero wa ste, with the aim of
producing the world’s lowest environmental footprint titanium dioxide (“TiO2”) and Rare
Earth Oxides (“REO”) from pit to product.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
Sighter test-work establishes whether metals can be extracted easily or not from the ore and is
a critical upfront benchmark to prove the concept. Extensive additional test-work is required
to determine a final process flow sheet and optimise the leaching conditions, such as acid
concentration. As previously announced, the sighter test-work demonstrated that the Altilium
Ti/REE Process™ can extract over 96% of the MREO from representative samples taken from
the Tiros full ore horizon homogenous material, corresponding to the world’s highest REE
extractions on non-selective ore intervals.
Two samples of ore were received at Core Resources Laboratory in Queensland. These samples
were crushed to a nominal top -size of 3.35 mm. The crushed samples were then
representatively split into sub-samples which were then combined to produce a representative
composite. The composite samples were then ground to a nominal top-size of 600 µm before
being rotary sample divided to produce five aliquots with masses of approximately 400 g. One
sample was randomly selected for head characterisation while the remaining four were set aside
for leach test work.
Three Sighter Tests were performed with the following variables
Variable Unite LT1 LT2 LT3
Pre-Leach heat treatment No No 600 C
Temperature C 110 110 110
Pulp Density Wt.% Solids 12 12 12
Acid Concentration Wt.% HNO3 68% 78% 68%
NaNO2 Dosing Ye s Ye s Ye s
The LT1 test involved leaching at the standard acid concentration used in the Altilium Ti/REE
Process™.
LT1 / LT2 – Sighter Tests
Results from test LT1 showed low extraction of aluminium and intermediate extractions for
iron and magnesium. High extractions of REE were achieved, typically around 70% with
results for total rare earth elements plus yttrium (“TREY”) and light rare earth elements
(“LREE”) being virtually equal likely due to the high contribution of LREE to the TREY in
the feed material. In test LT2, using a higher acid concentration and acid/ore ratio, extraction
surprisingly decreased across the board for impurities and REE s. The cause of this is not
currently clear, although the test appeared to go according to plan.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
Sighter Test LT3
The preferred sighter test, LT3, achieved the following results:
TEST Total REE Light REE Magnet REE Heavy REE
LT3 80.8% 81.6% 96.2% 74.8%
The LT3 test involved a pre-leach heating and leaching at the standard acid concentration (68%
Wt.% Nitric Acid (“HNO3”)) used in the Altilium Ti/REE Process™.
Test LT3 showed high extractions for aluminium and REEs. This test involved heating feed
material to 600°C to convert kaolin to metakaolin, increasing its leachability and facilitating
the release of aluminium and rare earths. The results indicate that the conversion was successful
allowing significant improvements to the extraction of the target metals. Of significant note is
that the extraction of Magnet REE appears to increase substantially more than the Light REE
and Heavy REE. This demonstrates that pre-heating of the material increases the extraction of
REEs. The temperature of this sighter test was high (600oC) to prove the concept. The actual
temperatures and conditions for pre-heating will be optimised in the next phase of test-work.
These results were obtained under closed-circuit temperate conditions designed to minimize
losses on the target metals and on the hydroelectricity network associated with the project.
Therefore optimizing extraction rates and minimizing energy costs to enhance overall
sustainability of the project.
Altilium – Key Next Steps
Resouro has now commissioned Altilium to commence the next phase of test-work, consisting
of optimization of leaching parameters and downstream elements. This work is a scaled-up
version of the sighter test, adjusting each condition until the optimal parameters are achieved
over the Tiros Project’s 1.7 bn tonne resource. For a full break down of the Company’s maiden
JORC resource, refer ASX announcement of 18th July 2024 – TSX Announcement of 17th July
2024.
Altilium have also commenced leach test-work on a 45 kg sample remaining at the Core
Laboratory. The objective of this program is to generate residue from the leaching process to
then produce TiO2 concentrate that can be sent to potential off-takers for the Titanium product.
Phase two of the Altilium test-work involves shipping a 200 kg Representative Composite
Sample, that has been prepared and is awaiting shipment. This sample will undergo a full range
of tests to optimise each component of the Altilium Ti/REE Process™. The entire test-work
program is scheduled to take 30 weeks with periodic updates as test-work progresses.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
Results from this next phase will allow Resouro to update its financial model for inclusion in
the Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”).
This phase of the test-work will include the processing of saleable REE and TiO2 products to
be used with potential off-takers with whom Resouro is in preliminary discussion, whilst
exploring the markets for other potential saleable elements in the orebody.
Key benefits of the Altilium Ti/REE Process™ include:
• Zero waste, sustainable, environmentally friendly closed-circuit leach process.
• World’s leading consistent representative rare earths leach extractions.
• Nitric acid produces the world’s first TiO2 product with low niobium, phosphate and
zirconium.
• No tailings dam required.
• Minimal acid consumption with the Altilium patented technology recovering and
reusing nearly 100% of the nitric acid employed.
• A technology disruptor for the rare earth and TiO2 industry.
• Potentially, a fully automated process with minimal fluctuation in material production
rates, recoveries and consumables providing reduced risk from operating perspectives.
Metallurgical Test-Work at CIT Senai
CIT Senai in Brazil is working through the test-work program and is nearing completion of the
first phase of the ore characterisation studies. These studies assess the density, sizing and
chemical characteristics of the orebody to allow the project team to leverage this knowledge
and produce a likely flowsheet. Concurrently, CIT Senai are working on the next leaching tests
using sulphuric and hydrochloric acids and a range of other reagents. Following the receipt of
further results currently in the laboratory under various conditions (concentration, residency
times, temperatures and pH), Resouro will continue to progress its dual-pronged metallurgical
testing framework and update the market accordingly.
Initial discussions with off-take partners
Subsequent to the announcement of Resouro’s 1.7 billion tonne high grade REE and TiO2
JORC resource, numerous unsolicited enquires from large industrial companies in Asia, Europe
and North America have been received. The first stage of the Altilium test-work is to produce
trial samples of TiO2 concentrate from a 45 kg sample already at the Core Laboratory in
Brisbane and to send these to potential off-takers. An additional 200 kg representative
composite sample has been sent to the Core Laboratory to commence test-work on rare earth
leaching and TiO2 concentration.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
President, CEO, Director and Founder, Chris Eager commented:
“The initial sighter test-work results completed at the Core Laboratories in
Queensland provide a proof of concept and indicate that Resouro can achieve
high Rare Earths Extraction from Tiros Ore . The Altilium Ti/REE Process™ has many
advantages over conventional leaching and has the potential to produce a clean TiO2 product.
This gives us confidence to take the next step of detailed test-work with Altilium.
Resouro is also continuing to explore conventional leaching, a range of other reagents and
leaching protocols.
We are focussed on finding the optimal leaching method that will provide the most
environmentally friendly process with high Rare Earths and TiO2 recoveries at the lowest
cost.”
This announcement has been authorized for release by the Board of Directors.
Contact Information:
Chris Eager, CEO
+44 7388 0579809
Justin Clyne, Director
+61 407 123 143
Melissa Hamilton, Media
+61 417 750 274
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
About the Company
Resouro is a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration and development company, listed on
the ASX, TSXV , OTC and FSE, focused on the discovery and advancement of economic
mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Rare Earths and Titanium project in Minas Gerais
and the Novo Mundo Gold Project in Mato Grosso. The Tiros project represents 25 mineral
concessions totalling 450 km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the most
infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from Belo Horizonte, the state capital.
Resouro has released a Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tiros Project of 1.7 bn tonnes of
Inferred, Indicated and Measured Resource.
DOMAIN CAT TONNES (t) TiO2 (%) TREO (ppm) MREO (ppm)
HG (High Grade)
Inferred 42,000,000 23 8,700 2,200
Indicated 55,700,000 23 9,030 2,380
Measured 20,800,000 24 9,320 2,530
Sum 120,000,000 23 9,000 2,400
MG (Medium
Grade)
Inferred 620,000,000 11 3,500 950
Indicated 704,000,000 11 3,650 1,020
Measured 224,000,000 11 3,570 997
Sum 1,500,000,000 11 3,500 930
Totals 1,700,000,000 12 3,900 1,100
Note: Further details of the Company’s Maiden JORC MRE are contained within the Company’s announcement
of 18 July, 2024.
Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of
applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words
such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other
similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur . Although
we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information are reasonable,
there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. We cannot guarantee
future results, performance or achievements. Consequently, there is no representation that the
actual results achieved will be the same, in whole or in part, as those set out in the forward-
looking information.
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Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.
BC0430203 (Canada) ARBN 671 716 457 (Australia)
Level 10, Kyle House, 27-31 Macquarie Place, Sydney NSW 2000 – Tel: + 61 407 123 143
Suite 250, 997 Seymour Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6B 3M1 – Tel: +1 403 807 2948
Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the
date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in
the forward-looking information. Some of the risks and other factors that could cause the
results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information include,
but are not limited to: general economic conditions in Canada and globally; industry
conditions, including governmental regulation and environmental regulation; failure to obtain
industry partner and other third party consents and approvals, if and when required; the need
to obtain required approvals from regulatory authorities; stock market volatility; liabilities
inherent in the mining industry; competition for , among other things, skilled personnel and
supplies; incorrect assessments of the value of acquisitions; geological, technical, processing
and transportation problems; changes in tax laws and incentive programs; failure to realize
the anticipated benefits of acquisitions and dispositions; and the other factors. Readers are
cautioned that this list of risk factors should not be construed as exhaustive.
The forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this
cautionary statement. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking information
to conform such information to actual results or to changes in our exp ectations except as
otherwise required by applicable securities legislation. Readers are cautioned not to place
undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither the TSX V enture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined
in the policies of the TSX V enture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
Competent Person Statement
The information in this announcement that relates to the Metallurgical Results is based on, and
fairly represents, information compiled by Mr Sravan Maddipati a Competent Person and
registered professional Metallurgist (MAUSIMM #323008) with experience in metallurgy,
metallurgical studies and operations and experience in rare earth element extraction. Mr
Maddipati is an employee of Altilium and has sufficient experience that is relevant to the style
of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity being undertaken
to qualify him as a Competent Persons as defined in the 2012 Edi tion of the Australasian
Codefor Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves.