RareX Limited announced that recent testwork on samples from the Cummins Range Rare Earths & Phosphate Project in WA has confirmed the potential to produce phosphate Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) and phosphate mineral concentrate, with both products showing strong potential as direct-application agricultural fertiliser. Results from initial phosphorous bioavailability tests on DSO and phosphate mineral concentrate ­ both of which are anticipated co-products with rare earths from Cummins Range ­ show the material possesses very high bioavailability, that is two-to-five times better than what has been classified as high-bioavailable rock phosphate by industry standard. This unlocks a variety of development scenarios for the Cummins Range Project, including: A DSO product could be produced initially, meaning very low levels of processing and capital would be required to develop a readily saleable and marketable phosphate product line that is in demand in the fertiliser trade.

A premium-grade phosphate concentrate product could also be produced from the Cummins Range deposit for direct-application fertiliser. Previous testwork has already demonstrated a simple beneficiation flowsheet and low reagent consumptions 1, suggesting low capital and operating costs. In addition, the beneficiation circuit for phosphate concentrate production could be integrated as part of the rare earth beneficiation process in the longer-term, supporting enhanced project development.

Direct-application fertilisers are classified as organic as they do not require chemical reaction with sulphuric acid to make the phosphate derivative products. In addition, they often have favourable properties for plants' uptake. Direct-application phosphates, where the natural mineral form remains unadulterated, can be produced at a discount while also trading at a premium to processed phosphates.

The testwork undertaken to assess the phosphorous bioavailability of the Cummins Range mineralisation was a 2% citric acid test, which is an industry standard bioavailability assessment. The tests simulated the soil conditions and were performed on four resource samples ­ two DSO samples and two phosphate float concentrate samples. It should also be noted that all potentially deleterious elements (fluorine, cadmium, uranium and chlorine) have come back within normal specifications, and no further deleterious elements are present.

Tests on the phosphate co-product are being undertaken in parallel with rare earth metallurgical testwork programs, which are also delivering promising results. An update on the rare earth metallurgy will be made in due course. Currently, phosphate mineral concentrates are being sourced from the Rare Dyke and the Phos Dyke areas at Cummins Range, with the rare earth deportment also being studied.

Phosphate-optimised beneficiation is a strong alternative to rare earth-optimised flotation and may deliver greater value realisation from the Cummins Range Resource. RareX has signed a collaboration MOU with OrdCo 2 to develop a phosphate product roadmap to support the Kununurra agricultural sector with a portion of Cummins Range's phosphate product mix. These latest testwork results clearly support this component of the work being completed under the MOU.

Phosphate prices are currently very high which is conducive for a fast-tracked DSO operation which can generate cash flows in the near term. Such cashflows can be used to fund the longer-term project which will include recovery of both rare earth and phosphate products. These results will be integrated with pit optimisation studies being prepared for the new block model for Cummins Range, which is expected to be announced in April following the completion of an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE).

The new MRE is anticipated to be considerably larger than the current estimate 3 and will bring in the requisite focus on the phosphate content of the resource as well as the important and highly favourable rare earth content. The Cummins Range Project is located approximately 535km by road from the port of Wyndham, making transport logistics feasible for bulk products such as phosphate fertiliser. The port of Wyndham has been used for the commercial transport of bulk iron ore.