ACDC Metals Advances Goschen Central with Strong Metallurgical Results and Scoping Study Progress
ACDC Metals has reported encouraging metallurgical and marketing outcomes from its Goschen Central heavy mineral sands project, underpinning a scoping study underway and advancing resource development.
- Positive metallurgical testwork confirms saleable zircon, titania, and rare earth products
- TZ Minerals International validates product suite and supports marketing strategy
- Further mineralogy analysis underway to enhance resource confidence
- Retention licence application progressing to secure project tenure
- Cash position of AUD 2.289 million supports ongoing development and business opportunities
Metallurgical Breakthrough at Goschen Central
ACDC Metals Limited (ASX: ADC) has delivered a significant milestone in its development of the Goschen Central Project, located in the Murray Basin of western Victoria. The company announced positive metallurgical test results from a 1.6 tonne bulk sample, confirming the production of high-quality heavy mineral sand (HMS) products including chemical grade zircon and titania concentrates, alongside a rare earth mineral concentrate rich in monazite and xenotime.
The testwork validated the nominated processing flowsheet, with the monazite concentrate yielding an impressive 60.5% total rare earth oxides (TREO). The heavy mineral concentrate achieved grades exceeding 25% zircon and 27% titania, benchmarks that align well with other successful Murray Basin projects. This outcome not only confirms the technical viability of the project’s mineral products but also supports a fast-tracked plant design phase.
Marketing Validation and Strategic Engagement
To complement the metallurgical achievements, ACDC Metals engaged TZ Minerals International Pty Ltd (TZMI), a leading global marketing advisory firm, to assess the product suite. TZMI’s analysis affirmed the saleability of the Goschen Central products, benchmarking favorably against peer projects nearing execution. Their pricing forecast estimates that approximately 85% of the value per tonne of heavy mineral concentrate will derive from zircon products, with the remainder from titania concentrates.
Importantly, the flowsheet’s ability to produce monazite and xenotime concentrates introduces additional revenue streams, with pricing assumptions based on Adamas Intelligence forecasts. These marketing insights are instrumental as ACDC Metals advances discussions with potential offtake partners and strategic investors, signaling growing commercial interest in the project.
Resource Development and Licence Security
Building on the metallurgical and marketing progress, the company is undertaking further mineralogy studies to refine geological understanding and enhance confidence in the heavy mineral assemblage across defined domains. This work follows recommendations from Snowden Optiro resource geologists and involves analysis of samples already collected, with results expected imminently.
Concurrently, ACDC Metals is preparing to submit a retention licence application for the Goschen Central Project, which currently operates under an exploration licence due to expire on 30 June 2025. The retention licence is a critical step to secure tenure and facilitate the transition towards a mining licence, enabling the company to make an economic decision on project development.
Scoping Study and Corporate Position
The company is well advanced in completing a scoping study for Goschen Central, with results anticipated in the second quarter of 2025. This study will integrate the updated mineral resource estimate of 620 million tonnes at 2.2% total heavy mineral and the comprehensive metallurgical characterisation, providing a robust foundation for feasibility assessment.
ACDC Metals’ CEO Tom Davidson highlighted the culmination of a year’s work in delivering these results, expressing confidence in the project’s value drivers and the potential for vertical integration through a downstream rare earth processing plant. The company closed the quarter with a cash balance of AUD 2.289 million and no debt, positioning it well to advance project development and explore new business opportunities.
Bottom Line?
With metallurgical validation and marketing endorsement in hand, ACDC Metals is poised to unlock Goschen Central’s full value as the scoping study nears completion.
Questions in the middle?
- What will the upcoming scoping study reveal about the project’s economic viability and capital requirements?
- How will the retention licence application impact the project timeline and regulatory certainty?
- What progress can be expected in securing offtake agreements or strategic partnerships for rare earth and mineral sands products?
