NeoTerra Group Plc, the London-listed British company focused on the exploration and development of critical raw materials in Africa, has selected Valentine Enterprises — a US-based consultancy and specialised services firm — to lead a pre-feasibility study at the Monte Muambe rare earths project in Tete province, with funding from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA).
The American firm will carry out the study in partnership with SGS North America and New Dominion Consulting, both of which will contribute technical expertise and experience in mining sector supply chains.
The appointment remains subject to final approval by the USTDA. If approved, the consortium is expected to commence work with a kick-off meeting, a site visit, and a drilling campaign to collect samples for metallurgical studies, with the aim of generating the data required to advance the project to the pre-feasibility stage.
According to NeoTerra, the consortium brings together experience in North American value chains and knowledge of African mining operations — a combination the company regards as critical for conducting the planned drilling, metallurgical work, and future supply chain planning.
The Monte Muambe project forms part of NeoTerra’s critical raw materials portfolio and holds a mining exploration licence valid for 25 years. In addition to rare earths, the asset includes deposits of fluorite and gallium.
The company states that the project has mineral resource estimates prepared in accordance with the standards of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) and has received a US$1.875 million grant from the USTDA to advance the rare earths component to the pre-feasibility stage.
Rare earth elements are considered strategic raw materials owing to their use in clean energy technologies, electronic equipment, industrial applications, and other advanced technologies.
Listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, NeoTerra develops critical raw materials exploration and development projects across Africa. In addition to Monte Muambe in Mozambique, the company holds the Sesana copper and silver project in Botswana.
The selection of Valentine Enterprises marks a new milestone in the development of Monte Muambe, as the project moves into a phase of technical and field work aimed at assessing the viability of exploiting the rare earth deposits contained within the asset.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/2026/08/21/oilgas/extractivas/neoterra-selecciona-empresa-para-estudo-sobre-terras-raras-em-mocambique/
