Bottle-roll leach testing on weathered granite from the Kary Zone has already identified a pH sweet spot between 2.0 and 2.5, delivering substantial recoveries of high-value magnet rare earth oxides such as neodymium and praseodymium while keeping acid consumption low.
The Sybella granite is no stranger to mining. Historically, parts of the batholith were quarried for dimension stone used in construction and gravestones, with large blocks extracted and later abandoned across the site. Red Metal now sees this legacy as proof of the granite’s favourable mechanical properties and shallow weathering profile – qualities that could support low-cost mining and crushing for heap leach operations.
The project also benefits from excellent infrastructure, with access to power, water and labour thanks to its proximity to Mt Isa. Add in Sybella’s enormous scale – an estimated 4.8 billion tonnes grading 302 parts per million (ppm) neodymium and praseodymium, coupled with 28ppm dysprosium and terbium – and the project has the hallmarks of a long-life, low-cost rare earths operation.
With column leach results on the horizon and pre-feasibility studies targeted for 2026, Red Metal appears to be positioning Sybella as a potential Australian trailblazer in magnet and heavy rare earth production.
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