iTech Minerals Confirms Rare Earth Potential at Kaolin Project

iTech Minerals, in the battery and critical metals sector, has confirmed rare earth potential following a re-analysis of historical drill core from its kaolin project in Ethiopia, located on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia.

The company describes the REE composition as 'enriched in high value’ permanent magnet metals neodymium and praseodymium. iTech said in its ASX release that these results confirm the company's view of the dual potential of high-purity kaolin and clay REE mineralization, suggesting that a dual product stream of kaolinite and REE could reduce the risk of the project.

This press release adds that although generally low grade, these types of rare metal deposits can be 'highly profitable' due to low mining costs. iTech's IPO includes more than 21 projects in South Australia (and two in New South Wales) with an unusually broad range of key minerals. Ellorite, kaolinite, graphite, copper, lead, zinc, silver, tin, tungsten, molybdenum, and gold.

iTech Minerals was formed to take over the exploration program of Adelaide-based Archer Materials, formerly an exploration company and now an advanced technology company.

Mike Schwarz, General Manager, said, "The resampling results from Ethiopia open the way for an extremely low cost source of kaolin and rare earths. The processing of high purity kaolin improves the rare earth grade and the extraction of rare earths allows for a higher quality kaolin product, resulting in more solid economics."

The company confirmed the rare earth potential at kaolin project and noted that clay beneficiation could increase rare earth grades by approximately 184%. The company said assay results from the best historical drill hole from the second batch of sampling, which intersected a 33-meter mineralized zone, are still pending.

Of the 10 re-sampled holes, the highest grade was 6 meters with 896 ppm total rare earth oxides, including 2 meters of 1104 ppm TREO. iTech explains that kaolinite found in Ethiopia is a valuable constituent. iTech says, "Fortunately, for this type of mineralization, it is only necessary to wash out the quartz particles with water and retain the concentrated kaolin and rare earths in suspension, the clay can be easily and cheaply separated (or beneficiated)."

iTech Minerals is an Australian mining exploration company focused on developing its South Australian halloysite-kaolinite. The company has now resampled core from 12 additional holes and expects to have results within six weeks. This test work will help the company focus on determining the best locations to conduct its own drilling.

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