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Neotech Metals Corp. Reports Positive Metallurgical Results Demonstrating High Leachability of Rare Earths at its Hecla-Kilmer Project in Ontario, Canada
Newsfile Corp.
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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - April 1, 2025) - Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) (OTCQB: NTMFF) (FSE: V690) ("Neotech" or "the Company") is pleased to announce positive test results from the ongoing metallurgical studies for the Hecla-Kilmer project from SGS-Lakefield Canada Inc. ("SGS"). Results from 11 batch flotation tests - designed to assess recovery rates, concentrate grades, and leachability under varying conditions - yielded highly encouraging outcomes. In a 6-hour digestion at just 50°C, the test successfully deported between 97-99% of REEs into solution, demonstrating the amenability of the mineralization to low-temperature acid leaching.

In addition to the positive leach test, additional metallurgical results include:

  • 75.0% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO*) recovery, including consistent recovery of Praseodymium, Neodymium, and other magnet rare earths (PMREO**), as outlined in Table 1 - highlighting the potential for efficient downstream processing.

  • 78.0% Niobium (Nb₂O₅) recovery via gravity separation, confirming amenability to low-cost, conventional beneficiation.

  • 89.1% Phosphate (P₂O₅) recovery, with 100% of phosphate reporting to solution during leaching, indicating potential for a secondary phosphate by-product stream.

  • Successful leach test completed using just 36% hydrochloric acid, validating the amenability of the mineralization to conventional acid leach techniques under relatively moderate conditions.

These initial results represent the first-ever metallurgical campaign conducted at Hecla-Kilmer. It is important to note that the data is based on a single leach test. While the outcomes are highly encouraging, further metallurgical work is planned to optimize processing conditions and account for variability in lithology and geochemistry across the broader mineralized system. The next phase of test work will include additional flotation testing, optimization, and enhancement to complement the leach testing, with the goal of improving overall recovery and process efficiency. This next phase of metallurgical studies will focus on validating scalability, refining flow sheet design, and ensuring consistency across representative sample types.

Element

Recovery %

Element

Recovery %

La

74.5

Ho

80.2

Ce

74.1

Er

76.3

Pr

74.9

Tm

81.1

Nd

76.2

Yb

74.2

Sm

76.8

Lu

70.5

Eu

77.8

Y

79.1

Gd

78.9

P₂O₅

89.1

Tb

77.2

Nb₂O₅

78.0

Dy

78.1

TREO (Average)

75.0

Table 1 showing flotation results of rare earth oxides and gravity result of niobium oxide

"In the context of North American rare earth projects, this is a significant milestone for Neotech," said Reagan Glazier, CEO. "These results confirm that the apatite-hosted mineralization at Hecla-Kilmer is not only high-grade but also uniquely leachable - with over 75% total rare earth oxide recovery and up to 99% of the rare earths brought into solution under mild conditions. That kind of metallurgical simplicity is exceptionally rare in this sector and represents a significant de-risking event for the project. As governments and industry work to secure critical mineral supply chains, positioning Hecla-Kilmer as a leading candidate for near-term development in North America."

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