1. 1 Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

2. Possible evolution for RE mining projects Possible evolution for RE mining projects according to Gartner Hype cycle 2 Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

3. 3 Metallurgy Advantage : Debating competitive elements of tonnage, grade, mineralogy, …

4. Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto Downstream RE Separations and Finishings 4 Beneficiation Heavy Sands Mines Ilmenite, Rutile,… Zircon,… Cassiterite,… MONAZITE XENOTIME Grinding + Beneficiation Hard rocks Mines Fe conc Nb,Ta conc Alkaline cracking Crude RE Hydroxide HCl, HNO 3 dissolution BASTNASITE Acid baking Crude RE Sulfate Water dissolution NaOH H 2 SO 4 Non RE + Rad* Purification of Mix RE solutions by Chemistry and/or SX Grinding + Beneficiation BASTNASITE Roasting Acid dissolution HCl L/S separation Australia, India, SthA,… Brazil, USA, Molycorp Sichuan BayanObo TSP Residu Ce 4 conc RE 3 Cl sol S ummarize of "classical " RE processes USA, China, Residu

5. 5 Metallurgy Advantage : Debating competitive elements of tonnage, grade, mineralogy, … "Classical" RE processes are using high grade concentrates usually >50%REO meaning RE bearer minerals are easily liberated and accessible. - Bastnasite, Monazite as Light RE sources - Xenotime for Heavy RE ones - Russian Loparite as RE,NbTa,Ti bearer is a special case for LRE…! - Chinese Ionic ores since late 80s are also an other one for HRE…! First new industrial RE concentrate is Lynas Mt Weld project presently starting with an intermediate concentrate ~40%REO grade. Futur potential RE sources now under development are generally conducting to some "RE concentrates" of which %REO grade is even more strongly depending of the mineralogy of the RE bearers… Here after is a sketch for a rough comparison of that present evolution of RE resources… Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

6. Gangue Coarse pure RE mineral BN, MZ, XN,… Mix RE mineral RE included into lattice 6 Simplified 2 types for RE mineralisation Beneficiation Easy Hopeless Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto

7. 7 REO Grade / Mineralogy Where is the Optimum between physical beneficiation and chemical cracking ?! Although the target is to recover the maximum of RE content, Mining and Chemistry are two worlds needing to very well know and understand each other to reach this optimum… Mineral Liberation Analysis (MLA) is of crucial importance… while Beneficiation and Metallurgical behavior are tested for determination of a potential flowsheet, then future economical process. Tonnage REO / REO Distribution Evolution of RE market to be estimated for Light/Heavy RE ores development. RE are coming all together, but will not be paid at best market price… Global " RE equilibrium " has also to be taken into account for tonnage capacity… Upcoming new RE sources

8. Jean-Paul TOGNET – TMS.2013 Toronto 8 Thank you for your attention Merci pour votre attention