Environmental Review Document Submitted for Yangibana Project
Sydney, June 26, 2018 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (
ASX:HAS) ("Hastings" or the "Company") is pleased to advise that the Environmental Review Document (ERD) for the Yangibana Project has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Western Australia.
The lodgement achieves a significant milestone in the Yangibana Project approvals process, and the document confirms that the project can meet the scope of work outlined in the EPA approved environmental scoping document.
Charles Lew, Executive Chairman, commented "lodging the ERD marks a further important milestone in developing the Yangibana Project as a high grade NdPr rare earths production mine.
It is a comprehensive document dealing with environmental, economic and social issues relating to the Yangibana processing and mining operations. Hastings is committed to managing the Yangibana Project in a socially acceptable and environmentally responsible manner."
A thorough understanding of the surrounding environment and the project's environmental impacts has been achieved with detailed studies of:
o Flora and vegetation
o Fauna, including vertebrates, short range endemic fauna and subterranean fauna
o Groundwater and Surface Water
o Waste characterisation including radionuclide assessments
o Soils
o Baseline radiation assessment (air, soil, water)
o Air quality, including dust
o Heritage values
The ERD demonstrates how any potential impacts from the project that may have been highlighted by the various studies can be managed by Hastings.
One of the key findings of the studies is that the naturally occurring radioactive material can be largely removed from the ore through processing and is retained on-site in Western Australia. As such, the Mixed Rare Earths Carbonate (MREC) is not subject to regulatory requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Transport Regulations and can be transported as general freight cargo using existing logistics operators and ports.
Tailings waste will be retained on site in permanent tailing storage facilities. Modelling shows the facilities can be rehabilitated at closure to be below the areas naturally occurring radiation levels.
The EPA will now review the ERD and provide feedback to Hastings prior to the document being released for a four-week public review period.
About Hastings Technology Metals Ltd
Hastings Technology Metals Ltd (ASX:HAS) (FRA:5AM) is advancing its Yangibana Rare Earths Project in the Upper Gascoyne Region of Western Australia towards production. The proposed beneficiation and hydro metallurgy processing plant will treat rare earths deposits, predominantly monazite, hosting high neodymium and praseodymium contents to produce a mixed rare earths carbonate that will be further refined into individual rare earth oxides at processing plants overseas.
Neodymium and praseodymium are vital components in the manufacture of permanent magnets which is used in a wide and expanding range of advanced and high-tech products including electric vehicles, wind turbines, robotics, medical applications and others. Hastings aims to become the next significant producer of neodymium and praseodymium outside of China.
Hastings holds 100% interest in the most significant deposits within the overall project, and 70% interest in additional deposits that will be developed at a later date, all held under Mining Leases. Numerous prospects have been identified warranting detailed exploration to further extend the life of the project.
Brockman Project
The Brockman deposit, near Halls Creek in Western Australia, contains JORC Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources, estimated using the guidelines of JORC Code (2012 Edition).
The Company is also progressing a Mining Lease application over the Brockman Rare Earths and Rare Metals Project.
Hastings aims to capitalise on the strong demand for critical rare earths created by the expanding demand for new technology products.
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