One of the more interesting — and often overlooked — aspects of the Nolans rare earth project is the phosphate component of the ore body and how it supports both processing economics and potential by-product revenue.
Where the phosphate comes from
The Nolans deposit is hosted in an apatite-rich rare earth mineralisation system. Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral that carries both rare earth elements and significant phosphate content. This isn’t unusual geologically, but Nolans has a relatively high apatite association compared with many rare earth projects being developed outside China.
During beneficiation and cracking, that phosphate is liberated alongside the rare earths. Rather than being treated purely as waste, it becomes part of the chemical flowsheet.
Why this matters for processing
Rare earth extraction requires substantial acid digestion — typically sulphuric or nitric acid depending on the flowsheet. Access to phosphate minerals enables downstream production of phosphoric acid as part of the chemical circuit. That has two important implications:
Excess phosphate = commercial opportunity
Nolans is expected to generate more phosphate-derived material than required internally. That surplus can be converted into saleable phosphoric acid or fertiliser products.
Potential benefits include:
The phosphate co-product doesn’t just improve project economics — it reduces chemical supply risk, which has historically derailed several rare earth projects globally. Integrated chemistry matters as much as geology in this sector. It’s one of those technical details that doesn’t make headlines but materially strengthens the long-term viability of the project.
Where the phosphate comes from
The Nolans deposit is hosted in an apatite-rich rare earth mineralisation system. Apatite is a calcium phosphate mineral that carries both rare earth elements and significant phosphate content. This isn’t unusual geologically, but Nolans has a relatively high apatite association compared with many rare earth projects being developed outside China.
During beneficiation and cracking, that phosphate is liberated alongside the rare earths. Rather than being treated purely as waste, it becomes part of the chemical flowsheet.
Why this matters for processing
Rare earth extraction requires substantial acid digestion — typically sulphuric or nitric acid depending on the flowsheet. Access to phosphate minerals enables downstream production of phosphoric acid as part of the chemical circuit. That has two important implications:
- Chemical integration: It helps underpin acid supply within the process, reducing exposure to volatile external acid markets — a non-trivial operational risk in rare earth processing.
- Cost efficiency: Acid consumption is one of the biggest operating cost drivers in rare earth separation. Internal generation or offsetting through phosphate streams improves operating margins.
Excess phosphate = commercial opportunity
Nolans is expected to generate more phosphate-derived material than required internally. That surplus can be converted into saleable phosphoric acid or fertiliser products.
Potential benefits include:
- A secondary revenue stream not directly tied to NdPr pricing cycles.
- Lower net operating costs for rare earth oxide production.
- Exposure to global fertiliser demand, which is structurally supported by agriculture and food security dynamics.
The phosphate co-product doesn’t just improve project economics — it reduces chemical supply risk, which has historically derailed several rare earth projects globally. Integrated chemistry matters as much as geology in this sector. It’s one of those technical details that doesn’t make headlines but materially strengthens the long-term viability of the project.
