Namibian Mining News The Professional Mining Journal
Related Articles
The Joint Management Committee (JMC) overseeing the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project has approved the next phase of work under the definitive feasibility study (DFS), the developer Namibia Critical Metals has announced.
Lofdal DFS comes at an approved cost approximately C$11 million, expected to advance completion of the study.
In addition the company has also announced the award of the first major metallurgical and geometallurgical contracts under the expanded DFS work program to SGS Canada Inc. (SGS), one of the world’s leading providers of metallurgical testing and process development services.
According to Darrin Campbell, President and Chief Executive Officer of Namibia Critical Metals, the announcement represents far more than the award of technical contracts.
“It marks the commencement of the next major execution phase of the Lofdal Definitive Feasibility Study for the expanded project Lofdal “2B-4″ and reflects the continued commitment of NCMI, JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho to advancing one of the world’s most strategically important heavy rare earth projects.
The approval of approximately C$11 million in additional DFS funding enables a comprehensive metallurgical development program that will substantially de-risk the processing component of the project while generating the engineering data required for detailed design and project financing,” said Campbell.
He further said the programs move Lofdal beyond conventional mineral concentrate production toward higher-value mixed and separated rare earth products.
“This work supports Namibia’s vision of developing downstream critical mineral industries while strengthening secure and diversified supply chains for Japan and other allied economies.
“SGS has been an outstanding technical partner throughout the advancement of Lofdal. We are pleased to continue working with one of the world’s premier metallurgical organizations as we advance the project toward completion of the Definitive Feasibility Study.”
The Lofdal program will now evaluate the production of separate Light Rare Earth Carbonate (LREC) and Heavy Rare Earth Carbonate (HREC) products through integrated hydrometallurgical processing. These products represent a significant advancement in value addition within Namibia and establish the technical foundation for evaluating future downstream processing opportunities in-country.
In addition, the company believes the strategy aligns closely with the government’s objective of increasing domestic beneficiation of critical minerals while supporting industrial development, skills transfer and long-term economic value creation.
As one of the few advanced heavy rare earth projects offering an alternative source of supply, Lofdal is uniquely positioned to contribute to diversified global supply chains for dysprosium, terbium, yttrium and other critical rare earth elements essential for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, advanced electronics and defence applications.
