Namibia Critical Metals Launches Next Phase of Lofdal Definitive Feasibility Study Including Further Value Addition in Namibia
Original announcement by tmx on
- Company
- Namibia Critical Metals Inc.
- Ticker
- NMI
- Exchange
- TSX
- Region
- Namibia
- Primary commodity
- Rare earth
- Secondary commodities
- Dysprosium, Terbium, Yttrium
- Document categories
- Metallurgy, Other
- Extracted
- 2026-08-24 04:47:11 UTC
Analysis by Minestarters Atlas
Minestarters Atlas analysis
Summary
Namibia Critical Metals has approved C$11 million in additional funding to advance the Lofdal Heavy Rare Earth Project's Definitive Feasibility Study. The program includes pilot-scale flotation and hydrometallurgical testing with SGS Canada to demonstrate the production of separated light and heavy rare earth carbonate products.
Reasoning: The company is advancing its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) by investing C$11M into a comprehensive metallurgical program aimed at producing high-value separated rare earth carbonates rather than just concentrates.
Positive factors
- Transition to DFS execution phase
- Expansion into high-value downstream products (LREC/HREC)
- Major metallurgical contracts awarded to SGS
- Strategic partnership with JOGMEC and Toyota Tsusho
Negative factors
- Significant capital expenditure required (C$11M additional)
Facts used in scoring: 2
Classification and evidence
Mill Routeneutral
Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation).
Why it applies: The program includes flotation and hydrometallurgical processing (acid bake, leaching, solvent extraction).
Evidence · text
“continuous pilot-scale flotation testing to validate the processing flowsheet”
Pilot Scale Completepositive
Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation.
Why it applies: The company is initiating pilot-scale flotation and continuous pilot plant testing.
Evidence · text
“Approximately 30 tonnes of representative ore will undergo continuous pilot-scale flotation testing”
Extracted facts
Stored fact records: 2. Some facts used in scoring do not have a stored record.
Metallurgical Results (2)
flotationrare earthView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Commodity
- rare earth
- Ticker
- NMI
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- flotation
- Sample
- Pilot-Scale Flotation Program - approximately 30 tonnes of representative ore
Recovery
- Recovery Basis
- unspecified
Lab
- Laboratory
- SGS Canada Inc.
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: Continuous pilot-scale flotation testing on 30 tonnes of ore is a significant step toward validating the flowsheet.
Positive factors
- Pilot-scale testing provides commercial-scale validation
Evidence · text
“Approximately 30 tonnes of representative ore will undergo continuous pilot-scale flotation testing”
pilot plantrare earthView all detailsHide details
Identity
- Commodity
- rare earth
- Ticker
- NMI
Test Work
- Program Status
- detailed
- Test Type
- pilot plant
- Processing Route
- acid bake, leaching, impurity removal, solvent extraction and precipitation
- Sample
- Integrated Hydrometallurgical Pilot Plant
Recovery
- Recovery Basis
- unspecified
Lab
- Laboratory
- SGS Canada Inc.
Review
- Needs Review
- No
- Historical
- No
Dates
- Event date
- 2026-07-20T00:00:00.000Z
Reasoning: The continuous pilot plant aims to demonstrate the full hydrometallurgical flowsheet, including solvent extraction and precipitation.
Positive factors
- Demonstrates complete flowsheet from ore to separated products
Evidence · text
“A continuous pilot plant will demonstrate the complete hydrometallurgical flowsheet, including acid bake, leaching, impurity removal, solvent extraction and precipitation.”
How Atlas produces this analysis
Minestarters Atlas uses automated extraction to summarize mining announcements, identify reported measurements, and classify supporting evidence. Sentiment reflects the extracted narrative and classification rules; it is an interpretation, not a reported measurement. Evidence quotes and context are provided where available. Missing data, low-confidence results, and review flags indicate limitations. Check the original publisher announcement before relying on an interpretation.