Overview
Stage | Production |
Mine Type | Open Pit |
Commodities |
|
Mining Method |
|
Production Start | ... |
Mine Life | 2049 |
On January 11, 2024, Serra Verde has commenced commercial production of Mixed Rare Earth Concentrate from Phase I of its Pela Ema deposit.
Pela Ema is a large, long-life ionic clay deposit that contains an elevated proportion of high value heavy and light REEs, primarily neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy) that are key to the energy transition.
Once it has ramped up to full production, Serra Verde is expected to produce at least 5,000 tonnes per year of rare earth oxide. Serra Verde has begun work to increase Phase I capacity at Pela Ema. Phase II expansion could double run-of-mine production before 2030. |
Source:
p. 32
Contractors
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Summary:
Serra Verde is one of the largest ionic clay deposits in the world. The Serra Verde REEs occur in thick weathered saprolites containing REE bearing clays, which developed from leaching of the underlying Serra Dourada granite, which is the largest intrusion of the Goiás Tin Province. The intrusion is approximately 64 km long in the north south direction and varies between 3.5 and 12 km wide (mean 7.5 km) in the east west direction.
Type of deposit: saprolite “ion adsorption-type”- REE mineralization.
It is formed due to the weathering of REE-enriched source rocks, the liberation and mobilization of the “REEs ions” and their preferential adsorption onto the surfaces of clay minerals.
The particularly significant about saprolite is “ion adsorption-type” REE mineralization, typically contains a high proportion of “HREE”.
The REE typically occur in a six metre-deep layer of clay-bearing saprolite produced by the deep weathering of granite. Initial testing suggests that more than 50% of the REE bulk is sorbed on clay and can be recovered by a simple elution process.
The Serra Verde REE deposit is associated with a Proterozoic alkali granite within the Goiás province of Brazil. The REE introduction and enrichment may be related to three main stages of geological evolution:
- Emplacement of the Pela Ema Tin granites (~1.8 Ga). This resulted in the formation of typical tinbearing greisen veins hosting monazite and xenotime.
Summary:
Pela Ema is a large, long-life ionic clay deposit that contains an elevated proportion of high value heavy and light REEs, primarily neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy) that are key to the energy transition. Serra Verde also aims to be the most sustainable supplier of rare earth materials in the world by leveraging the superior sustainability credentials of its operations and applying world class operating standards.
Serra Verde uses low operating risk open mining techniques. The mining method is strip mining - no blasting.
Flow Sheet:
Summary:
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Production:
Commodity | Units | Avg. Annual (Projected) |
Total Rare Earth Oxides
|
t
| 5,000 |
Reserves at February 1, 2015:
Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves.
Category | Tonnage | Commodity | Grade |
Proven & Probable
|
350 Mt
|
Light Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.11 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
350 Mt
|
Heavy Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.04 %
|
Proven & Probable
|
350 Mt
|
Total Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.15 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
390 Mt
|
Light Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.11 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
390 Mt
|
Heavy Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.04 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
390 Mt
|
Total Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.15 %
|
Measured & Indicated
|
390 Mt
|
ZrO2
|
718 ppm
|
Measured & Indicated
|
390 Mt
|
U3O8
|
14 ppm
|
Inferred
|
521 Mt
|
Light Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.07 %
|
Inferred
|
521 Mt
|
Heavy Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.02 %
|
Inferred
|
521 Mt
|
Total Rare Earth Oxides
|
0.1 %
|
Inferred
|
521 Mt
|
ZrO2
|
564 ppm
|
Inferred
|
521 Mt
|
U3O8
|
11 ppm
|
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