ASM produces 6kg of neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) alloy

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ASM produces 6kg of neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) alloy

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

  • ASM produced 6kg of a neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) alloy at the Korean Institute of Rare Metals (KIRAM) facility.
  • KIRAM has certified the metallic structure and ratio of key metals (Nd: Fe: B = 32%: 67%: 1%) of the key NdFeB permanent magnet alloy.
  • ASM continues to work on the potential for establishing a full scale metal processing facility that would include production of the NdFeB alloy.

ASM has produced 6kg of a neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) alloy at the Korean Institute of Rare Metals (KIRAM) facility in Korea. The NdFeB alloy was manufactured from the FeNd alloy produced by ASM’s metallisation pilot plant.

NdFeB is a key rare earth permanent magnet alloy. KIRAM has certified the metallic structure and ratio of key metals (Nd: Fe: B = 32%: 67%: 1%) of the alloy, confirming its suitability for rare earth permanent magnet production. KIRAM is a division of KITECH, the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, which is a South Korean government research institute.

With the successful production of 6kg of the NdFeB alloy, ASM and KIRAM will continue the production of an additional approximately 7kg of NdFeB alloy for conversion into an initial permanent magnet samples for evaluation by Korean industry.

ASM continues to assess the potential of developing a higher-volume continuous metal production facility in 2021. The successful production of the NdFeB alloy gives ASM further confidence in its capability to produce this permanent magnet alloy at the metal facility, which would be situated in Korea (ASX 2 November 2020).

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “The successful production of this NdFeB alloy is an important milestone for ASM, and paves the way for integrating production of key rare earth permanent magnet alloys into our developing metals business. Our team is working closely with KIRAM, a key research group in Korea, to gain certification of the alloy. In the coming months, we’ll produce further sample permanent magnets for the Korean market
review.

“ASM is now focused on assessing the potential for development of a metals processing plant in Korea. In addition to laying the foundation for a potential metals business, which would include metals from our Dubbo Project, we continue to progress offtake and strategic partner agreements.”

 

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Titanium Copper Alloy Production Confirms Commercial Scalability & Doubles Process Efficiency

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

  • ASM produced 120kg of titanium copper alloy (99.5% purity), confirming the commercial scalability of its innovative metallisation process.
  • Improvements to ASM’s metallisation process has doubled the metallic yield.
  • ASM continues to work collaboratively with Dongkuk R&S, on the potential to develop a full-scale metal processing facility.

ASM has successfully confirmed the commercial scalability of its innovative metallisation process with the production of 120kg of titanium copper alloy (99.5% purity) at its facility in Korea. ASM’s Ziron Tech team produced two 60kg runs of the titanium copper alloy at a rate equivalent to approximately 1,000kg per day.

This result is significantly above the targeted 250kg per day production rate, outlined in the agreement between ASM and Dongkuk Refractories and Steel Co Ltd (DK R&S), announced on 2 November 2020.

The key to the successful demonstration of the commercial scalability was due to proprietary improvements to ASM’s unique metallisation process, which has seen the efficiency of metal recovery more than double than the initial test work in the pilot plant. This test work confirms the ability of ASM to produce any type of titanium alloy traded in the global metal market.

This increase in efficiency was delivered while maintaining the environmental advantages of ASM’s low-energy metallisation process, compared to the standard industry process. ASM will now focus on accelerating the development of a larger metals plant in Korea through its agreement with DK R&S. Members of DK R&S’s management and technical team were present to witness the successful metallisation run using the improved process.

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said, “The successful commercial production run of titanium metal alloy is a significant result for the ASM team in Korea. What is even more pleasing is that this result was achieved using a proprietary improvement to our metallisation process, which has more than doubled the metal yield. We continue to discuss with DK R&S how we can accelerate the development of a metal processing plant in Korea.

“In addition to producing metal products from our Dubbo Project in central west NSW, ASM now has the potential to develop a significant business unit around titanium and other metals. This provides a tremendous foundation for ASM and its shareholders.”

 

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ASM produces permanent magnet metal alloy

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

  • ASM has produced 200kg of ferro-neodymium (FeNd – Nd 80.3%, Fe 19.9%), a key constituent of strip cast permanent magnet alloys.
  • ASM is working with the Korea Institute for Rare Metals (KIRAM) to produce a strip cast permanent magnet alloy which will be formed and sintered into permanent magnets.
  • Samples of permanent magnets will be distributed to Korean industry for evaluation.

ASM’s Ziron Tech team in Korea has successfully produced 200kg of FeNd, a key rare earth alloy used to produce sintered permanent magnets (via powder metallurgy). Sintered rare earth permanent magnets have high magnetic strength and heat resistance and are essential for advanced and clean technologies including electric vehicles. The FeNd alloy was produced using ASM’s low energy metallisation process and has significant environmental advantages over the industry standard process.

The 200kg of FeNd alloy will be used in the production of rare earth permanent magnets in partnership with the Korea Institute for Rare Metals (KIRAM), a division of KITECH (the Korea Institute of Industrial Technology).

The FeNd alloy will go into a strip casting process at KIRAM to be converted into NdFeB (iron-neodymium-boron) magnet alloy powder. This powder will then be subjected to assay and magnetic strength testing to determine product acceptability.

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said, “The successful production of the key FeNd alloy, which is essential in the production of permanent magnets, is another significant milestone in ASM’s “mine to manufacturing” strategy. We are looking forward to seeing the progress of KITECH’s permanent magnet production run, as Korea continues to secure its supply chain to provide stability, security, and sustainability for its vital new technology manufacting sector. This is strongly aligned with ASM’s strategy.

“With partners, Dongkuk R&S, we are progressing the design and construction of our 250kg per day continuous metal plant in Korea (as announced on 2 November 2020). We expect to see the first phase of commercial operation within four months. This will represent the start of ASM’s metal business, which should prove very exciting for our shareholders.”

 

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ASM completes acquisition of Ziron Tech

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

  • Acquisition of a 95% interest in joint venture partner Ziron Tech
  • Acquisition delivers the ownership of all associated intellectual property including patented metal-refining technology
  • Ziron Tech team integrated into ASM

ASM has successfully completed the acquisition of 95% of its joint venture partner Ziron Tech, and through the acquisition now owns Ziron Tech’s patented low emission, high purity metal-refining technology and the pilot plant in Korea.

ASM’s Chairman Ian Gandel and Managing Director David Woodall with ASM’s Ziron Tech Team

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “We welcome the Ziron Tech team to ASM. This talented team, led by Professor Jonghyeon Lee, has successfully produced metal from all products of our Dubbo Project in central west NSW. Having the Ziron Tech team continue the innovative work on a range of high-purity and value-added critical metals used in advanced technologies, including electric vehicles and clean energy, gives ASM a strong foundation for success.

“With the recently announced development of our first commercial metallisation plant in South Korea, the Ziron Tech team is now progressing towards a continuous production process at scale in Korea where there is an established tech manufacturing industry and market for these metals. With the changing dynamics of the critical metals supply chain, ASM is well placed to play a significant role in the global critical metals market, with significant benefits for both Australia and Korea.”

Key terms of the restructured arrangements relating to Ziron Tech are as follows:

  • ASM has acquired 100% of the current joint venture company RMR Tech Corporation (“RMR Tech”) (increased from its previous holding of 10%).
  • RMR Tech has completed the acquisition of 95% of the shares in Ziron Tech.
  • As consideration for the transaction, ASM will in due course:
    • issue 1,306,417 ASM shares for consideration of USD 2 million to current Ziron Tech shareholders (via a holding entity) at an issue price of AUD 2.068 per share based on a 10-trading day VWAP to 2 September 2020 and using an AUD:USD exchange rate of 0.74. These shares will be subject to voluntary escrow for 12 months; and
    • grant existing Ziron Tech shareholders (via a holding entity) a Net Smelter Return of 5% from any global commercial metallisation facility established using the technology, subject to a 50% step-down of the royalty after payments of USD 20 million have been made.
  • The ASM group now owns all of Ziron Tech’s patents and related intellectual property and technology that were the subject of the RMR Tech joint venture, as well as any intellectual property rights or interests that may be developed by Ziron Tech in the future.

 

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ASM and Dongkuk sign agreement to construct a 250kg/day commercial plant

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

  • Design, develop, assemble, install and verify a 250kg commercial grade continuous reduction system using the Ziron Tech patented metal-refining technology
  • ASM will retain ownership of intellectual property and commercial rights to the Ziron Tech technology

ASM and Dongkuk Refractory and Steel (DK R&S) have signed a joint development agreement for a 250kg/day metal plant incorporating the innovative and patented low emission, high purity metal-refining technology in Korea to be acquired by ASM through the acquisition of a 95% interest in Zirconium Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech).

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said, “The agreement with DK R&S brings together the strengths of ASM with its innovative metal technology and DK R&S, a leading innovative manufacturer of metals and refractory products within the Korean and global markets.

“This production facility will prove Ziron Tech’s patented low emission, high purity metal-refining technology at scale, paving the way for a 3,000 to 5,000 tonne per year metal plant in Korea. Our team in Korea is now progressing the confirmation of the continuous commercial metal production process with significant benefits for Korea, Australia, and the global customers that are faced with changing dynamics in the critical metals supply chain.”

Established in 1974, DK R&S, a subsidiary of DKI, has been supplying refractories, fine ceramics, steel manufacture to various industries globally and domestically within Korea for over 46 years. Dongkuk Industries Group was founded as Daewonsa in 1967, and is recognised as a global leader of cold rolled steel, refractories, and tubular wind power towers.

The Dongkuk Industries Group (“DKG”) includes Dongkuk Industries, Dongkuk Refactory and Steel, Dongkuk Structural and Construction, and DK DongShin. The DKG is recognised in Korea for innovation and the development of technology.

Key terms of the ASM and DK R&S Joint Development Agreement for the Commercial Test Plant are as follows:

  • Design, develop, construct, install and verify a 250kg per day commercial grade continuous reduction system
  • 250kg reduction furnace, design, assembly, and verification will be undertaken at facilities operated by DK R&S under the supervision of a temporary Joint Task Force, with the completed furnace jointly owned by ASM and DK R&S
  • The total budget for designing, developing, assembling and installing of the Commercial Test Plant is USD 1 million paid in a 60:40 ratio between DK R&S and ASM
  • Basic and detailed design of the Commercial Test Plant to be complete within four months from the date of the Agreement
  • Ownership of relevant intellectual property is retained by ASM
  • The agreement will terminate if the testing is not successful within 12 months of signing.

ASM is continuing to progress strategic partner, offtake and financing discussions in Korea. The discussions are preliminary and remain incomplete and it is uncertain whether any of these discussions will lead to a proposal for the consideration of ASM’s directors or shareholders.

 

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Quarterly Activities Report to 30 September 2020

Posted on by Tim Highley

Highlights

ASM Korean Metals Technology

  • High purity titanium (Ti) metal 20.8kg produced assaying 99.83%
  • Innovative metals process confirms 70% lower energy consumption
  • Ziron Tech optimisation increases metal efficiency by 50%
  • Significant environmental benefits of innovative metal process confirmed
  • Production of 7.6kg of neodymium metal at 99.8% purity
  • Production of 5.3kg praseodymium metal assaying 99.3% purity
  • Production of 9.2kg of titanium metal powder assaying 99.83%
  • Production of 9.0kg of Neodymium Praseodymium (NdPr) alloy assaying 99.65%
  • Production of 7.5kg of heavy rare earth dysprosium metal assaying 99.53%

Optimisation of the Dubbo Project

  • Work completed on initial flotation test work programme to deliver an increased ore feed grade to the solvent extraction plant. The integration of flotation into the proven flowsheet is a key part of targeting a reduction in the capital and operating costs for the development of the Dubbo Project.
  • Production of metals from the Dubbo Project products have confirmed the proven flowsheet.
  • Key products defined as zirconia, dehafniated zirconia for zirconium metal production and hafnium oxide; rare earths in the form of oxides for neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, and niobium.
  • Hatch engineering has been engaged to complete the optimisation study by the end of the first quarter 2021.

Corporate

  • Successful demerger from Alkane Resources Ltd
  • Cash position totalled A$16.5M
  • Acquisition of a 95% interest in joint venture partner Ziron Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech)
  • Ziron Tech acquisition gives ASM ownership of all associated intellectual property including patented metal-refining technology
  • Ziron Tech team will continue development of metallisation technology within ASM

 

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ASM produces 8.6kg of high purity zirconium metal in Korea

Posted on by Tim Highley
Highlights:
  • ASM produces 8.6kg of high purity Zirconium metal powder
  • Zirconium powder assay – 98% Zr and 1.5% Hf
  • Confirmation of zirconium metal sample meets the Korean Atomic Energy Research Institute standards

ASM, through its partner Ziron Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech), has successfully produced 8.6kg of a high purity zirconium metal at its commercial pilot plant in South Korea.

The planned flowsheet for ASM’s Dubbo Project in central west NSW, incorporates the production of both industrial grade zirconia and dehafniated zirconia (ZrO2) and hafnium oxide (HfO2) using a process patented by Australia’s Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation’s (ANSTO) with ASM having an exclusive global licence. Successful production of this high purity zirconium metal from commercial grade zirconia is an important milestone for ASM.

Ziron Tech has received confirmation that the laboratory sample of dehafniated zirconium metal previously produced from Dubbo ore and submitted to the Korean Atomic Energy Institute (KAERI) meets the standards set by them that are crucial for the Korean market, with further work planned to produce 2 tonnes of high purity dehafniated zirconium (Zr) before the end of the year. ASM has now successfully produced key permanent magnet metals of neodymium, praseodymium, neodymium-praseodymium alloy, dysprosium, titanium metal, titanium alloy, titanium metal powder, and zirconium using its innovative metallisation process.

Zr Metal Powder Produced at the Ziron Tech Pilot Plant

The focus is now on the production of 250kg of Neodymium-Praseodymium (NdPr) metal, to be turned into sintered permanent magnets samples in partnership with the Korean Institute of Rare Metals (KIRAM) for the Korean market. Work on the production of ferro-dysprosium and ferroniobium is scheduled for Q4 2020, which will mark the completion of the metallisation of the final products sourced from the Dubbo Project.

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “The production of zirconium metal is a significant result for ASM and the potential development of the Dubbo Project. The successful production of zirconium and the other metals planned to be produced at Dubbo has enabled ASM to optimise the project flowsheet. In the 2018 FEED Study, the plan was for the project to produce predominately zirconium oxychloride (ZOC), today’s result will see the percentage of ZOC reduced significantly to focus on and meet the high purity zirconium metal and hafnium production targets, with potential benefits in the capital and operating costs.”

“I am returning to Korea to continue investment discussions, oversee the design and construction of a 250 kg per day continuous metal plant in Korea, and to continue advancing discussions for a potential partner in the metal business.” Mr Woodall said.

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ASM produces 7.5kg of heavy rare earth metal dysprosium in Korea

Posted on by Tim Highley
Highlights:
  • ASM produces 7.5kg of heavy rare earth dysprosium metal
  • Dysprosium metal assay – 99.53%
  • Metallisation of ferro-dysprosium and zirconium progressing

ASM, through its partner Ziron Technology Corporation (Ziron Tech), has successfully produced 7.5 kg of a high purity dysprosium metal at its commercial pilot plant in South Korea.

After producing 0.76 kg of the heavy rare earth metal last month, this second run confirms that it can be done at scale, marking the completion of the final key permanent magnet metals to be produced at the Ziron Tech facility. ASM has now produced neodymium, praseodymium, neodymium praseodymium alloy and dysprosium, all key for permanent magnets, through the commercial pilot plant using its innovative metallisation process.

Work has commenced on the production of ferro-dysprosium and zirconium metals. These are anticipated to be the final products metallised from material sourced from the Dubbo Project in central west NSW.

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “ASM is progressing further in its development to become an integrated mine to metal business, with the successful production of the heavy rare earth metal, dysprosium. With the production of these key permanent magnets metals and metal alloys, and the development of zirconium metal production, ASM is one step closer to converting all products from the Dubbo Project into value-adding metals.”

“Our focus is now on commencing the design and construction of a 250 kg per day continuous metal plant in Korea. This is the first phase of our strategy to develop a 3,000-5,000 tonne per year plant designed to meet some of the demand for critical materials in the Korean manufacturing sector. ASM continues to advance discussions for a potential partner in the metal business,” Mr Woodall said.

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