As part of phase one, the proposed JV will mine 7.5 million tonnes of ore per year to produce about 200,000 to 250,000 tonnes of HM concentrate and about 7000 to 8000 tonnes of rare earths concentrate for the anticipated mine life.

Once the company’s phase-one production is operating efficiently, the JV will look to double down on its ore production to mine 15 million tonnes per year and pump out about 400,000 to 500,000 tonnes of HM concentrate annually, in addition to 13,000 to 14,000 tonnes per year of rare earths concentrate. All mining approvals for Donald have been secured and Astron is pushing towards a final investment decision (FID) for the first phase at the project.

Once mining is underway, the supply of rare earths will consist of the more traditional electric vehicle (EV) light rare earths of neodymium and praseodymium and the more lucrative heavy rare earths, dysprosium and terbium, which are a key part of the industrial magnets required for an EV engine.

Astron and Energy Fuels are on the cusp of developing a monster of a project at a time when rare earths and heavy mineral sands are expected to venture squarely into the spotlight due to the heavy global demand anticipated for the coming decades.

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