RE: RBW interview26 Nov 2025 13:17
FID Q4 2026
DFS Mid 2026
Plant sizing and costing being calculated now.
No expected change to OPEX and CAPEX with switch to SX
SX process development started at start of 2025
SX pilot plan started leching today. 27 tons initially to produce sample for marketing (circa 30kg NdPr)
EBIDTA currently $275m
NPV10 will reduce to NPV8 in DFS increasing NPV (+$32m ?) Est $924m npv, (minus gypsum sales)
Uberaba
0.58% TREO. NdPr 24.5%
4.5 M tons PG added per year
Same NdPr and Seg+ but higher production
On stream soon
Focus on leach solution before stacking
Reagent saving
Modest CAPEX because of this
EA will be for 15 years, but will be much longer project (25yr +)
EA will be finished this year, release after Mosaic review
Q's
No K-tech license needed
ANSO tested/modeled using feed stock model. and operating costs and capital costs. Already have OPEX cost and CAPEX estimates and recoveries 99.5 to 99.7% and purity of between 99.5 and 99.9%
MRE Carbonate v MRE Product. Product is a solution, could be oxide, not the solid carbonate
CIC will be still be investigated.
Cost base, confident no real change: opex/capex may be slightly improved over PFS (CIC) with SX.
Pilot Plant runs for 4-6 weeks from January. Not part of DFS critical path, flowsheet already fixed and designed.
Only new chemical is solvent/dilutant for SX
Plant will entirely be in Phalaborwa