New Frontier Minerals (LSE:NFM) will commence characterisation and metallurgical studies at the Pomme REE Project, testing conventional processing and Metallium Limited's proprietary Flash Joule Heating (FJH) on existing drill samples to target mid‑to‑high‑grade zones.
The programme aims to produce upgraded REE concentrates that could unlock economic value at the Pomme carbonatite, located about 500 km northwest of Montréal, which NFM is accessing under a two‑year option to earn up to 90%.
"The inclusion of Flash Joule Heating testwork alongside conventional methods reflects our commitment to identifying the most effective pathway to upgrade REE mineralisation," said Gerrard Hall, Chairman.
Historic scout drilling intersected broad mineralised intervals including POM‑23‑03: 398m at 0.54% TREO (including 30.5m at 1.13% TREO and 26.5m at 1.45% TREO) and POM‑23‑01: 513m at 0.33% TREO (including 94.8m at 0.55% TREO and multiple >1% TREO sub‑intervals).
Initial sample selection will focus on drill holes POM‑23‑03, POM‑23‑01 and POM‑23‑07 using existing diamond core for characterisation and beneficiation trials.
NFM says the preliminary testwork will validate whether a scalable, lower‑cost processing route can materially enhance project economics and will guide follow‑up metallurgical work and future drilling.
