Rock chip sampling conducted along the strike of the Bald Hill deposit at Hastings Technology Metals’ Yangibana Project has uncovered high-grade niobium and hafnium-rich zircon.
Multiple carbonatite-related ironstone intrusions (ranging from 100-650m in strike) have been mapped east and continuous to the Bald Hill deposit footprint at Yangibana. This focus area hosts a total of 3,000m combined ironstone strike.
The findings indicated the presence of niobium and hafnium within the existing footprint of the permitted Yangibana Project.
Niobium is a technology-critical metal with major uses in making steel lighter and stronger, high-tech alloys, and faster lithium-ion battery recharging. Hafnium is a critical metal with aerospace, defence and energy technology applications. Zircon is the primary source of all hafnium. Zirconium and hafnium are contained in zircon at a ratio of about 50 to 11.
Hastings said that, with minor changes to the current plant design and mine plans, the mine can recover additional critical metals – including zircon, ferro-columbite and rare earths – within its current 17-year life.
The company has indicated that with current exploration and updated mineral resource estimates, there is potential for life of mine and product extensions. Hastings anticipates an updated mineral resource estimate will be available by September 2024, to include ferrocolumbite, zircon, hafnium in addition to rare earth.
The additional critical minerals will provide a multi-commodity recovery process stream and byproduct credit income.
Hastings’ Chief Geologist, Dr Louis Schürmann, said that the success of the geological mapping and rock chip sampling to the east of the current Bald Hill pit underscores the remaining multi-commodity exploration potential within the Yangibana Project.
“Further mapping and sampling preparations are underway as a prelude to drilling at this prospect. Hastings is committed to expanding the portfolio of minerals we aim to produce with the confirmation of anomalous niobium, zirconium and hafnium concentrations associated with rare earth mineralisation, demonstrating our commitment to realise greater value from the Yangibana Project.”
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