The Chemistry and Geology of the Clay Rare Earths Story and Mineral Prospectivity in South Australia

Samso Insight Episode 114 is with Dr Diana Zivak, Senior Geologist with the Geological Survey of South Australia. The recent interest in Clay Rare Earth continues to be somewhat a mysterious journey with what is a good deposit.

 

Diana has given us in Samso Insight 114 a string of thoughts that will give viewers and listeners more information to ponder as we weave through information that is released into the public domain.

 

Dr Diana Zivak who is contracted by the Geological Survey of South Australia has done a fantastic job in this episode with some of her thoughts on the virtues of the Clay Rare Earth journey.

 

People who have followed the Samso story will know that I am very bullish on the prospectivity of South Australian geology. In this episode of Samso Insights, we also touched on this aspect. I hope it will help build curiosity for those interested in exploring in South Australia.

 

 

 

Samso's Conclusion

 

The whole Clay Rare Earth sector is still a learn as you go process. I dont think there is anyone out there that would tell you that they know everything. Currently, the one consistent commentator of the sector is the market. If your stock goes up, then that is perceived as a good result. If your share price tanks, then that is not good.

 

The form of understanding at the moment is coming from a barometer that is not the most versed source of information. As Diana agrees, the industry is learning that there are many different types of Clay Rare Earth projects. There are also no two type of project that are the same which means that the enrichment process is distinctly unique from one deposit to another.

 

This adds to the complexity of determining which project is going to be the ideal formula. West Cobar Metals which have the Salazar deposit has now identified the presences or Gallium. Gallium may now be one or the start of a series of elements that could create more value as a by product in the Salazar project.

GALLIUM IDENTIFIED AT NEWMONT REE DEPOSIT

 

I think the long term prospectivity of the REE market is one that investors need to believe and take a view as a position. Personally, I believe that all commodities need to be seen as a positive because of the path to decarbonisation.

 

What Dr Diana Zivak and i touched on as well is the overall prospectivity in South Australia. This is a good discussion as there is a lack of concentrated mineral exploration in the South Australian scene. There are many valid reasons why this has been the case but it does not take away the prospectivity.

 

The South Australian geology has not come close to unveiling its secrets but with the Geological Survey releasing an increasing set of data, I think the early movers will reap the rewards.

 

 

Chapters:

 

00:00 Start

00:20 Introduction

01:48 About Dr. Diana Zivak

06:17 Where technology is today in terms of the analytical part?

09:13 The clay hosted rare earths story

19:19 Is Geomorphology a factor ?

25:22 Heavy rare earth metals

31:56 Discussion about the Gawler

42:22 Multi-commodity processing

45:14 Discussion about lithium in South Australia

49:55 Different mineralisation styles

53:02 Closing comments

56:05 Conclusion