Developing a Novel Flowsheet to Produce Critical Mineral Products from the Elk Creek Project

This AIPG Lunch & Earn Webinar features a detailed presentation by Scott Honan on the geology, development, and technical challenges of a rare earth element (REE) mining project in southeastern Nebraska. The session provides insight into how REE deposits form, how they are evaluated, and the steps required to move a project from exploration into development. Throughout the webinar, Scott discusses underground mining methods, stoping approaches, subsurface modeling tools, and hydrometallurgical processing considerations. Audience questions addressed mineral ownership and leasing, sources of process water, mine depth, cutoff grade determination, SEC reporting for non-producing properties, concentrate mass balance, mill sizing, and the potential presence of radioactive elements. Participants also explored the origin of the REEs, project timelines, construction status, and future expansion opportunities, including interest in carbonatite-hosted deposits outside the United States. Attendees described the presentation as “very informative,” “fascinating,” “excellent,” and “enlightening.” Several noted the complexity of developing REE projects and compared the effort to long-term, high-risk technological programs, emphasizing the importance of geology, engineering, and patience in project development. Continuing Education Disclaimer A link to the New York State CEU assessment quiz was shared only with live attendees in the webinar chat and remained open for a limited time following the event. Watching this recording on YouTube DOES NOT provide continuing education credits. CEUs are issued exclusively to participants who attended the live webinar and completed the required assessment within the designated time window.