Name of the Project
Nolans neodymium/praseodymium rare earths project.

Location
Northern Territory, Australia.

Project Owner/s
Arafura Resources.

Project Description
The Nolans project will encompass a mine, a process plant ­– comprising beneficiation, extraction and separation plants – and related infrastructure, to be built at the Nolans site.

An updated feasibility study has optimised the production schedule and financial outcomes of the project. The pit optimisations, mine designs, ore reserves and mining inventory are unchanged from the updated mining study in March 2020.

The project has ore reserves of 29.5-million tonnes grading 2.9% total rare-earth oxides, 13% phosphorous pentoxide and neodymium/praseodymium enrichment of 26.4%.

The updated feasibility study has reported a minor increase in the concentrate processing capacity of the process plant from 330 000 t/y to 340 000 t/y – the definitive feasibility study was based on 300 000 t/y.

The beneficiation capacity has increased from one-million tonnes a year to 1.5-million tonnes later in the life-of-mine to accommodate lower run-of-mine head grades.

Minor changes to the hydrometallurgical recovery of rare earths and phosphorous pentoxide, resulting from the changes to the processing plant design, have also been reported.

The project is expected to produce 4 440 t/y of neodymium/praseodymium oxide over its 38-year mine life. Production of middle and heavy rare-earth oxides is estimated at 474 t/y and phosphoric acid at 144 393 t/y.

Potential Job Creation
The project will create 650 jobs at the peak of construction and new high-value export opportunities.   

Net Present Value/Internal Rate of Return
The project has an after-tax net present value, at an 8% discount rate, of A$1.4-billion and an internal rate of return of 18.1%.

Capital Expenditure
A$1.06-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
First ore processing is expected in October 2024, with first ore production expected towards the end of 2024. These dates are contingent on securing funding for the activities required.

Latest Developments
Arafura Resources has signed a nonbinding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with South-Korean automotive giant Hyundai Motor Company for a potential neodymium praseodymium offtake from the Nolans project.

The MoU provides a framework for the parties to negotiate a binding offtake agreement for the supply of 1 000 t/y to 1 500/y of neodymium praseodymium oxide from the project, starting in 2025 for a seven-year term on a cost, insurance and freight basis.

The offtake agreement potentially represents just over one-third of the estimated average production capacity of 4 440 t/y from Nolans following expected ramp-up.

Offtake pricing will be determined quarterly using a formula-based mechanism referencing the neodymium praseodymium oxide Ex Works China price a tonne. An industry-recognised customary discount in recognition of the long-term offtake agreement will also be applied.

Under the MoU, the parties will work collaboratively to engage with the relevant export credit agencies to access debt funding and guarantees linked with critical materials procurement for use in Korean-based manufacturing.

A binding offtake agreement is subject to Arafura’s securing project finance to develop the Nolans project and complete its construction, development and commissioning.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
KBR, Wave International and Arafura’s geological, metallurgical and project personnel updated definitive feasibility study); Mining Plus (mine planning, design and scheduling, along with mining cost estimation); Simulus (process simulation); and Infinity Corporate Finance (financial modelling).

Contact Details for Project Information
Arafura Resources, tel +61 8 6210 7666 or email arafura@arultd.com.