ENERGY MINERALS

JOGMEC invests more in rare earths JV

Two rigs on site at project in Namibia

Staff reporter
Two rigs in action at Area 2B, at Namibia Critical Metals’ Lofdal project in Namibia

Two rigs in action at Area 2B, at Namibia Critical Metals’ Lofdal project in Namibia

Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC) acquired the right in January to earn up to an initial 50% of Lofdal by spending $20 million.

Namibia Critical Metals said the extra funding increased the term one joint venture expenditure from $3 million to $4.1 million by March 31, 2021, and the extra could be credited against the term two expenditure of $7 million.

"We are very pleased to see this additional injection of funds by our joint venture partner, which will enable us to further demonstrate the value in Lofdal as a long term, sustainable supply of heavy rare earths for Japan," president Don Burton said.

He said Lofdal was "one of only two primary xenotime deposits under development in the world" aside from Browns Range in Australia.

He said a second rig had been deployed to Lofdal and the company was aiming to deliver an updated resource for Area 4 and a maiden resource for Area 2B in the first quarter of 2021.

A 2014 preliminary economic assessment said Lofdal could produce an average 1,500 tonnes per annum of separated rare earth oxides (REO), and Burton said had demonstrated Lofdal had the potential for "significant production of dysprosium and terbium, the two most valuable heavy rare earths used in high powered magnets".

China's dominance of rare earths supply was in the spotlight again last year amid trade tensions with the US, and Japan has been seeking to shore up supplies after China restricted exports 10 years ago following a diplomatic dispute.

Namibia Critical Metals last month secured a 24-month, C$5 million drawdown equity financing with Alumina Partners (Ontario) to accelerate exploration at its projects other than Lofdal in Namibia.

Its shares closed down 6.8% yesterday to 20.5c, near the middle of a one-year range, capitalising it at $37.6 million (US$28.2 million).

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Journal Intelligence team.

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Global Leadership Report 2024: Net Zero

Gain insights into decarbonisation trends and strategies from interviews with 20+ top mining executives and experts plus an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Project Pipeline Handbook 2024

View our 50 top mining projects, handpicked using a unique, objective selection process from a database of 450+ global assets.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence Investor Sentiment Report 2024

Survey revealing the plans, priorities, and preferences of 120+ mining investors and their expectations for the sector in 2024.