ENERGY MINERALS

Blackstone taking look at REE in Vietnam with ASM and local refiner

Broad MoU signed between trio

This article is 1 year old. Images might not display.

Broadly speaking, VTRE has a rare earth element refinery in Vietnam while Blackstone has a beneficiation plant and ASM a binding agreement with VTRE (signed in April) for the purchase of rare earth oxides from Vietnam (to be used as feedstock at its metals plant in Korea).

Blackstone and VTRE are to assess existing REE licensed concessions and look to secure the mining licenses, with the immediate focus being on a mining licence for one of the "world-class Dong Pao deposits".

Blackstone will allow VTRE access to the company's laboratory and piloting facilities located at the Ta Khoa nickel project at Ban Phuc nickel mines and with technical assistance from ASM to conduct a pilot flotation program for the beneficiation of REE concentrates from the Dong Pao deposit.

Blackstone, VTRE and ASM will also explore a commercial model that can support a fully integrated mine to metals rare earth business.

Blackstone said its focus remained on completion of the Ta Khoa refinery definitive feasibility study for producing battery inputs.

Shares in Blackstone were up 4% to A12.5c in morning trade, capitalising it at $59 million.

ASM shares were up 1% to $1.18, capitalising it at $197 million.

 

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining News Intelligence team.

MiningNews.net Research Report 2025

The MNN Research Report 2025 provides insights into critical mining themes in Australia/Oceania, including top projects, C-suite priorities, risk, ESG performance and investor sentiment.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence: Investor Sentiment Report 2025

Exclusive insights into the plans, priorities and preferences of 130+ mining investors and top factors influencing investment decisions in 2025.

editions

Mining Journal Intelligence World Risk Report 2024 (feat. MineHutte ratings)

A detailed analysis of mining investment risks across 117 jurisdictions globally, assessed across six risk categories and an industrywide survey.

editions

Mining Company ESG Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The Mining Company ESG Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.