Mining Intelligence and News
Brazil

Serra Verde/Pela Ema Mine

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeOpen Pit
StatusActive
Commodities
  • REE
Mining Method
  • Truck & Shovel / Loader
Production Start... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotOn 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.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Mineração Serra Verde 100 % Indirect

Deposit type

  • Saprolite

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.
- Intrusion of an evolved alkaline (possibly carbonatite) complex at depth (~540 Ma).This caused potassium metasomatism (K-feldspar-biotite) with additional introduction or recrystallisation of monazite, xenotime and magnetite.
- Lateritisation, possibly during the Miocene.

A 30-35 metre thick lateritic weathering profile developed, resulting in the breakdown of feldspars to clay and the dissolution of REE-bearing minerals with reprecipitation in the saprolite ore zone. Colluvial accumulations of REE are also present.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnitsAvg. Annual (Projected)
Total Rare Earth Oxides t 5,000

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

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Personnel

Mine Management

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Total WorkforceYear
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Aerial view:

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