28 April 2025
Vital Metals Limited (ASX: VML) (“Vital”, “Vital Metals” or “the Company”), an advanced stage exploration/development rare earths company, is pleased to report on its activities for the March 2025 quarter, including at its 100%-owned Nechalacho Project in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada.
Tardiff has a MRE of 192.7 million tonnes at 1.3% total rare earth oxide (TREO) and 0.3% niobium, containing 636,000 tonnes of NdPr (neodymium oxide + praseodymium oxide) and 578,000 tonnes of Nb2O5.
Tardiff Scoping Study
Vital is finalising a Scoping Study for its Tardiff deposit, examining the potential size and scalability of rare earths and niobium recovery from the deposit. Vital expanded the study in February to incorporate niobium recovery testwork after reporting an initial niobium resource in its January 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate update for the deposit.
Niobium pentoxide is experiencing increased demand due to its low oxidation point and relatively high melting point. It is used as an alloy in aeronautic engines, electronic applications (due to its superconducting properties) and as an additive to lithium-ion batteries to enhance battery life. Niobium is a key critical mineral, with limited current production sources globally. If niobium is able to be recovered from Tardiff, it could add substantial value to the project.
The Scoping Study is due for release in the second quarter.