Pioneer Minerals, a US-based critical minerals explorer, has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Mineral Technologies USA, a technology-based company that is into developing, producing and marketing a broad range of speciality minerals, mineral-based and synthetic products. The main aim of this MoU is to push forward development efforts at the Springfield Critical Minerals Project in Idaho.

As per the agreement, both firms will be exploring the possibilities of developing domestic tungsten beneficiation capabilities in the US territory and hold the goal to boost the supply chain in sectors like defence, aerospace and advanced manufacturing industries.

With this agreement, the focus will be mainly on evaluating the production of commercial scheelite concentrate from both primary ore and historical tailings. Creating a step-by-step approach for the possible near-term production at the project has been set up by the technical programs.

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Additionally, both firms will be conducting engineering studies and conducting metallurgical tests for exploring modular, low-capital processing solutions, making it easier for implementation, which aims to cut down both the initial costs and the development time.

In this partnership, Pioneer Minerals will also try to establish potential beneficiation pathways for gallium mineralisation within the Springfield system.

The agreement with Mineral Technologies USA is deemed to be a significant achievement, especially in creating a solid and cost-effective development plan for the Springfield project for Pioneer Minerals, as shared by its CEO, Michael Beven.

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The CEO further emphasises that with this collaboration, Mineral Technologies will enable Pioneer Minerals to tap into its mineral processing know-how, aligning with the goal of moving ahead in terms of the potential domestic tungsten concrete production in the US territory.

Besides this, he also shared that incorporating work programs for exploring recovery methods that coincident gallium mineralisation could really boost the project's overall value, while also providing access to several critical minerals that are strategically important.

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Post the MoU execution, the firm will be diving into metallurgical testing and optimising the flowsheet. Within this, it will assess gallium deportment and recovery, evaluate a modular processing plant concept along with its deployment timelines and conduct engineering and cost studies related to that plant concept.

For the short term, the North Pine Project activities will revolve around clearing and reopening the access to the Springfield Mine and then carrying out the electromagnetic geophysical survey and submitting a notice of intent along with an operations plan for the first phase of drilling at the Springfield prospect.

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