ON SITE REFURBISHMENT, LAB CONSTRUCTION AT SMM
WESTERN FORELANDS EXPLORATION PROJECT UPDATE
• PROJECTS AND EXPLORATION facilitates real-time data collection, enabling the mine’ s technical team to make informed decisions quickly, which is vital for optimising resource use and reducing operational costs.”
All images by Natanaelginting on Freepik
ON SITE REFURBISHMENT, LAB CONSTRUCTION AT SMM
Location: South Africa Phase: Development Resource: Monzanite, MREC, thorium and Radium-228
On 20 May this year, Steenkampskraal Monazite Mine( SMM), a key player in the rare earth sector and one of the world’ s highest grade rare earths and thorium mines, reported the launch of the construction of a new on-site laboratory and a comprehensive refurbishment and reclamation programme.
“ The laboratory, one of the cornerstones of the initiative, is set to enhance the mine’ s ability to refine its innovative concentration processes, ensuring operational efficiency and supporting longterm sustainability goals,” explained Graham Soden, CEO of SMM.
“ The project underscores Steenkampskraal’ s commitment to advancing rare earth production responsibly, with a focus on optimising the extraction of monazite concentrate through a process called Multi Gravity Separation( MGS) and a subsequent hydrometallurgical cracking process to produce mixed rare earth carbonate( MREC), thorium and Radium-228.”
He said that the on-site laboratory will serve as a critical hub for testing and improving the mine’ s processing techniques, focusing on conventional gravity and flotation concentration methods. The facility will enable Steenkampskraal to fine-tune the MGS process, which is essential for producing high-quality monazite concentrate.
“ In addition, having the laboratory on-site offers several practical advantages: it allows for immediate analysis and adjustments during the concentration process, minimising downtime and reducing the need for off-site testing. This close proximity also
The focus is optimising the extraction of monazite concentrate through a process called Multi Gravity Separation( MGS) and a subsequent hydrometallurgical cracking process to produce mixed rare earth carbonate( MREC), thorium and Radium-228.
“ Furthermore, the laboratory will support Steenkampskraal’ s broader sustainability objectives by helping to streamline processes, reducing waste and improving the efficiency of rare earth extraction. This is a critical factor in meeting global demand for these materials, essential for technologies ranging from renewable energy systems to advanced defense electronics,” he added.
Enock Mathebula, executive chair of SMM, noted,“ The onsite laboratory will be instrumental in refining our processing techniques, ensuring we meet our operational targets efficiently. Combined with the safety infrastructure we’ ve put in place, we’ re creating a secure and productive environment for this project.”
Steenkampskraal has appointed Vetus Schola as the full-time safety and security service provider, ensuring 24 / 7 protection for personnel and assets. To bolster emergency preparedness, a 4x4 vehicle equipped with a fire-fighting skid-unit has been deployed on-site.
Health and safety measures have also been enhanced with ER24 stationing a fully equipped 4x4 ambulance at the site, supported by a first-responder emergency room and a team of qualified paramedics available during working hours to provide immediate medical assistance if needed.
Source: supplied by SMM
About Steenkampskraal: The Steenkampskraal mine contains 15 rare earths, including those used to make electric motors for electric vehicles and wind turbines. The current explored and delineated orebody reports a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Classification containing approximately 15,630 tonnes of neodymium, 4,459 tonnes of praseodymium, 867 tonnes of dysprosium and 182 tonnes of terbium. The combined grade of these four important rare earths is 3.49 %, which is higher than the total rare earth grades in most rare earth deposits: www. steenkampskraal. com
WESTERN FORELANDS EXPLORATION PROJECT UPDATE
Location: DRC Phase: Exploration Resource: Copper
On 14 May 2025, Ivanhoe Mines( TSX: IVN; OTCQX: IVPAF) executive co-chair Robert Friedland and president and CEO Marna Cloete announced the independently verified, updated Mineral
10 • African Mining • August 2025 www. africanmining. co. za