Rare Earths Recovery at Korella to be Studied by CSIRO

Chatham Rock Phosphate Limited has engaged the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) to evaluate the potential of extracting Rare Earths from the Korella mine and Korella South phosphate ore using biomining technology.

Samples of the REE enriched phosphate and associated strata will be obtained and new exploration conducted to test for all REE.

The potential REE biomining microbes will be cultivated and tested for their ability to ‘mine’ REE as an alternative to conventional techniques that are highly dependent on the use of chemicals.