Altona Rare Earths, a British mining company listed on the London Stock Exchange, has identified a significant enrichment of heavy rare earth elements in the fluorite and gallium ore at the Monte Muambe project, in Tete Province. The discovery opens new prospects for the economic valorization of the area’s mineral resources.
According to the company, heavy rare earth elements account for around 40% of the total rare earth content, a level considered high. This figure is significantly above that of the light rare earth deposit already known within the same project. The result strengthens the asset’s strategic appeal and highlights its potential in international markets.
In light of these findings, management is now considering the development of a high-value heavy rare earth by-product. This could be extracted alongside the gallium present in the mineral system. The strategy may enhance the project’s overall profitability and diversify revenue streams.
Following this development, the company has launched mineralogical and metallurgical analyses, as well as expanded testing. The aim is to assess the recoverability of these elements without compromising the timeline of the current fluorite and gallium resource estimate. This process is essential to validate the technical feasibility of extraction.
Altona Rare Earths is focused on the exploration and development of critical raw materials in Africa. The company holds a diversified portfolio of strategic assets across the continent, with the Monte Muambe project standing out as its flagship investment in Mozambique.
Monte Muambe hosts rare earths, fluorite, and gallium resources and is central to the company’s strategy. Beyond this asset, Altona also owns the Sesana copper and silver exploration project, located in Botswana, further strengthening its presence in the African mining sector.
The company holds a long-term mining license at Monte Muambe and aims to accelerate the production of acid-grade fluorite. At the same time, it is evaluating gallium recovery to meet growing demand for critical raw materials, which are essential for industries such as clean energy, technology, and defense.
The newly announced discovery places Monte Muambe’s heavy rare earth grades at levels comparable to a major project in Namibia backed by Japanese interests. This reinforces the asset’s strategic importance in a market largely dominated by China and could improve its economic viability while strengthening international partnerships.
Source: TipRanks
