ASM produces key permanent magnet metals from Dubbo ores

Australian Strategic Materials has successfully produced high purity dysprosium (Dy) metal in its pilot plant located at the Ziron Technology Corporation facility in South Korea.

This work using the ASM metallisation process has confirmed the company’s ability to produce the key permanent magnet metals dysprosium, praseodymium and neodymium and alloys that will be sourced from its Dubbo Project in central west NSW.

ASM Managing Director, David Woodall said: “This is a significant result given the temperatures required for the production of dysprosium metal.

“Now that the protocol for the production of dysprosium metal has been completed, our team will focus on the production the ferro-dysprosium alloy, which is key in the production of high-temperature NdFeB magnets.

“Our focus now is to produce zirconium metal by the end of September.”

These advanced materials are critical for a range of high technology products such as mobile phones and computers.

The ASM metallisation process uses significantly less energy and has less impact on the environment than existing industry-standard metallisation processes.

The company has already produced zirconium, hafnium, and rare earth permanent magnet metals neodymium and praseodymium. Production of dysprosium and zirconium is scheduled for later this month.

ASM is now finalising detailed documentation in relation to the acquisition of Ziron Tech with the transaction expected to be completed by the end of October 2020.

Picture: Australian Strategic Materials/FeDy Metal Alloy from the Ziron Tech Laboratory

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