Vital Metals Limited announced it will focus 2022 work programs on becoming the first rare earths producer capable of producing commercial quantities of both heavy and light rare earths. Vital aims to progress its three-stage development strategy ­ foundation (targeting customer acceptance of product); growth (expansion of 1 million contained ton resource); and production of heavy rare earths. Vital completed its first mining campaign at North T at its Nechalacho rare earths project in Northwest Territories, Canada, in 2021.

It is on track to produce first rare earth carbonate at its Saskatoon extraction facility in mid-2022. Its second stage will focus on growth via the Tardiff deposit at Nechalacho (which has a contained REO resource of in excess of 1 million contained tons), as well as development of the Wigu Hill rare earths project in Tanzania, where it is continuing discussions for a Mining Licence. With plans to add heavy rare earths to its production capabilities, Vital will focus its 2022 work plans on development of a xenotime subzone identified in North T's 2019 Mineral Resource, which would transform Vital into the world's only REE producer of light and heavy rare earths.

In addition, it is continuing due diligence to acquire interests in two heavy rare earths projects, Kipawa (68%) and Zeus (100%) in Quebec, Canada from Quebec Precious Metals Corporation. Vital is implementing a 3 stage development strategy which will enable it to guarantee feedstock to the global rare earth supply chain. To achieve this goal it will be critical for Vital to demonstrate its capabilities to produce feedstock, build the capability for growth and supply both light and heavy rare earths to ensure the ability to fully satisfy customer requirements.