Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Elements Project Feasibility
Kvanefjeld is the first of several large-scale deposits to be delineated, and it is widely recognized as one of the world’s largest resources of rare earth elements. It also contains substantial resources of uranium and zinc. Greenland Minerals and Energy believes the Kvanefjeld Rare Earth Elements Project is well placed to become one of the world’s largest and most cost-effective producers of specialty metals. It has described Kvanefjeld as one of the world’s most strategically important mineral projects.
Tetra Tech Proteus was selected to conduct this feasibility study because of its previous track record in developing uranium and rare earth projects, as well as its past experience with other mining projects in Greenland and the circumpolar region. Kvanefjeld is near the town of Narsaq in southern Greenland.
Studies to date have indicated the project’s potential long life (more than 100 years) and cost-competitive capability to produce rare earth elements and uranium. The Tetra Tech Proteus component of the feasibility study is a key step in advancing the project to the detailed design phase.
The principal objectives for stage 1 of the feasibility study are as follows:
- Complete a conceptual 3D design of the plant
- Generate a 3D fly-through of the entire site
- Complete the material take-offs so a capital cost estimate to +/- 20 percent accuracy can be derived
- Compile the capital cost estimate (by others) into a report
Tetra Tech Proteus’s capabilities in these areas will assist in meeting the objectives:
- Cold-climate engineering
- Global project execution
- 3D modeling and drafting
- A cost-effective and flexible project implementation approach