Neotech Metals Corp. (CSE: NTMC) has launched a metallurgical process development program at its Hecla-Kilmer rare earth project in Ontario. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with German consultancy Dorfner ANZAPLAN, aims to establish a conceptual processing flowsheet for the site’s intrusive apatite-hosted mineralization. The study is partially funded by the Ontario Critical Mineral Innovation Fund and will investigate the recovery of rare earth elements, niobium, and gallium, alongside the potential production of purified phosphoric acid.

The current testwork follows metallurgical results achieved last year, which demonstrated approximately 75% recovery for total rare earth oxides and 89% for phosphate. Management believes that the mineralization's apparent amenability to conventional leaching under mild conditions could lead to significant operational cost savings by avoiding the complex reagent systems and high-temperature requirements often associated with more refractory deposits.

"Our objective with ANZAPLAN is to leverage those characteristics to develop a simple, conventional processing flowsheet capable of producing a high-purity rare earth product while evaluating additional value streams from niobium, gallium, and purified phosphoric acid."

— Reagan Glazier, CEO

The bench-scale program is structured in three phases using material from the 2025 drill campaign. First, the team will focus on mineral processing optimization, such as flotation and magnetic separation to produce high-grade concentrates. Second, researchers will generate 60 kilograms of concentrate to support larger-scale hydrometallurgical testing. The final phase involves evaluating impurity removal and final product quality, with the findings to be compiled in a report detailing reagent consumption and technical recommendations. This final report will also provide guidance on the potential for a subsequent piloting phase, representing a key upcoming catalyst for the project’s development timeline.

Beyond this metallurgical work, the company is preparing for its maiden resource estimate, which is anticipated later in 2026. This forthcoming estimate will incorporate data from the 2025 drilling program as well as historical core re-assays. The project footprint has also recently expanded; on July 17, 2026, the company staked 33 new mining claims immediately surrounding its core project area. These additions signify a broadening of the land package while the team concurrently de-risks the processing route.

By focusing on these specific technical and resource-focused milestones, Neotech is working to confirm the viability of the Hecla-Kilmer deposit. If the current metallurgical studies successfully demonstrate the anticipated processing efficiencies, the company plans to integrate these findings into a simplified and more cost-effective flow design. The path forward for the project remains centered on technical validation, starting with the conclusion of the ANZAPLAN program and the impending resource definition, both of which are expected to shape the project’s scope as it advances toward potential pilot operations.

Read the full announcement: Neotech Metals Commences Metallurgical Process Development Program with Dorfner Anzaplan