US institution backs Pensana’s expansion studies in Angola

The US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) has awarded rare earths miner Pensana a $3.4-million technical assistance grant, which will help fund studies into the proposed expansion of the Longonjo mine, in Angola.

The expansion of Longonjo, which Pensana estimates will cost $100-million, will double capacity to 40 000 t/y of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) containing 4 200 t of neodymium and praseodymium.