Arafura CEO on becoming one of the next big Rare Earth producers
Channel: InvestorCoffee
Date: 20/09/2017

September 20, 2017--Gavin Lockyer, Managing Director of Arafura Resources Ltd. (ASX: ARU) (“Arafura”) in an interview with InvestorIntel Senior Editor, Peter Clausi discuss Arafura’s neodymium and  praseodymium  rare earth deposits. Both neodymium and praseodymium are both two key elements in high performance magnets. Arafura’s deposit is close to Alice Springs, Australia which Gavin states “it is great place to have a deposit… as it remote enough to not adversely affect surrounding communities and has access to great infrastructure.” Gavin also comments on the next stages of Arafura’s Nolans bulk pre-leach pilot plant.

 Peter Clausi: Arafura is a rare earth company. Can you tell us which rare earths you are touching?

Gavin Lockyer: Sure. Our focus is on neodymium and praseodymium, two key elements in high performance magnets. As most of your listeners and viewers would know, it is in rare supply. We are looking to be one of the next big producers in the world.

Peter Clausi: Numbers 59 and 60 in the periodic table. They are in the same family. Are they ever found in their natural element in nature or are they always found with other rare earths?

Gavin Lockyer: Typically the rare earths suite all comes together it is because they all try and sit in box 57 on the periodic table. They are all fairly chemically bonded and close. Where you find one you typically find more. Where the interesting thing is with our deposit is that it is actually enriched in NdPr. We are quite blessed in that regard.

Peter Clausi: Where is that deposit Gavin?

Gavin Lockyer: It is in the Northern Territory of Australia, 130 kilometers north of Alice Springs, which is a town of about 26,000 people right in the heart of Australia.

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