Neotech Hits Metallurgical Milestone with 99% REE Leach Recovery at Hecla-Kilmer
Low-temperature acid leach test delivers breakthrough for rare earth processing in Ontario
By Kevin Vincent, Senior Contributing Editor to Mining Life Online and Mining Life & Exploration News
Neotech Metals Corp. has taken a major step toward unlocking the value of its Hecla-Kilmer rare earth project in northern Ontario. In what may prove to be a defining moment for the emerging explorer, metallurgical testing conducted by SGS-Lakefield returned up to 99% recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) into solution—at just 50°C.
“These results confirm that the apatite-hosted mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer is not only high-grade but also uniquely leachable,” said Neotech CEO Reagan Glazier. “In the context of North American rare earth projects, this is a significant milestone.”
The initial metallurgical campaign is the first-ever conducted on the Hecla-Kilmer project and involved 11 batch flotation tests designed to assess REE recoveries, concentrate grades, and leachability under a variety of processing conditions.
Test Results: Strong Recoveries Across the Board
Among the standout findings from the test program:
• 97–99% REE dissolution in a 6-hour low-temperature acid leach at 50°C using just 36% hydrochloric acid.
• 75% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) recovery, including consistent returns of critical magnet elements such as neodymium and praseodymium.
• 78% niobium recovery (Nb₂O₅) through gravity separation, indicating cost-effective beneficiation potential.
• 89.1% phosphate recovery, with 100% of phosphate reporting to solution during leaching—suggesting future potential for a phosphate by-product stream.
While the results are based on a single leach test, the outcomes represent a powerful proof of concept for the viability of low-cost, low-temperature processing—a rarity in the REE sector where complex metallurgy often limits project economics.
Next Phase: Optimization and Scalability
Neotech isn’t stopping here. The company plans to enter a second phase of metallurgical studies that will:
• Expand flotation and leach testing to additional sample types.
• Refine processing parameters and flow sheet design.
• Validate scalability and assess variability in lithology and mineral chemistry across the deposit.
The broader goal is to de-risk the project and confirm that the positive leaching characteristics extend across the deposit’s footprint.
“This kind of metallurgical simplicity is exceptionally rare in this sector,” said Glazier. “It represents a significant de-risking event for the project.”
Positioning for Critical Mineral Supply Chains
As North America accelerates efforts to localize and secure critical mineral supply chains, projects like Hecla-Kilmer are gaining increased attention. With demand for magnet rare earths like neodymium and praseodymium surging due to electric vehicles and wind power applications, the ability to process REEs efficiently and economically is more important than ever.
The Hecla-Kilmer property, located just 20 km from Ontario’s 180 MW Otter Rapids hydroelectric station and the Ontario Northland Railway, enjoys key infrastructure access—a rare advantage in a remote exploration landscape.
A Broader Portfolio and ESG Commitment
Hecla-Kilmer is one of three 100%-owned rare earth and rare metals projects in Neotech’s portfolio, which also includes the TREO and Foothills projects in British Columbia. The company has emphasized environmental stewardship and sustainable development as core principles as it pushes forward.
With early metallurgical results already putting Hecla-Kilmer on the radar of investors and policymakers, Neotech’s next challenge will be turning its breakthrough into a scalable, commercially viable processing strategy.
But for now, it’s a clear step forward—and a signal that Ontario could be home to one of North America’s most promising new rare earth projects.
Tags: Northern Ontario / Exploration / Battery Metals / All Articles