Industry Insights: A Critical Look at Exploration
A whole new world
“Regarding exploration, we are still years behind Canada and Australia in geological knowledge. However, this situation may start changing because Brazil is a politically stable country with one of the most modern legal frameworks in the world, and Brazilians understand the importance of mining for their economic development.”
Marcelo de Carvalho, Brazil Country Manager, Meteoric Resources
“Bluebush sits along strike and on the same geological structure as the Serra Verde Project, which is the only ionic clay REE project in the world, outside of China, that is in construction and about to be commissioned. An ionic project means that REEs have partly been dissolved from actual minerals and is sitting on the clay particles. To remove the REEs from clay particles, you do not need very low pH and high temperature, which means you could separate the REEs in a heap leach process or an agitated leaching process.”
Rob Smakman, Managing Director, Alvo Minerals
“Recently, Brazil has revised its mining regulations. Instead of the “first-come-first-serve” system for exploration leases, now there is an auction system. This is not favorable for junior miners due to limited capital but benefits the broader mining sector in Brazil. While mining in Southern brazil has become increasingly challenging, the northern region is emerging as the new mining frontier.”
Bruno Scarpelli, Country Manager, Centaurus Metals
