ValOre and UCT Launch Phase 2 Metallurgical Testwork for Brazil's Pedra Branca PGE Project

ValOre Metals Corp., a Canadian mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol VO, has recently approved and initiated Phase 2 of its metallurgical testwork program for the Pedra Branca Platinum Group Elements (PGE) project located in northeastern Brazil's Ceará State. This significant advancement comes through a strategic partnership with the University of Cape Town's (UCT) Department of Chemical Engineering, highlighting a prime example of industry-academia collaboration in advancing critical minerals research.

The Pedra Branca project spans 51,096 hectares across 45 exploration licenses and hosts an inferred National Instrument 43-101 (NI 43-101) compliant mineral resource of 2.198 million ounces of 2PGE+Au (platinum, palladium, and gold) contained in 63.6 million tonnes grading 1.08 grams per tonne (g/t). This near-surface deposit presents opportunities for open-pit mining, making it economically attractive in the current platinum group metals market.

Phase 2 testwork builds directly on promising results from Phase 1, aiming to de-risk the project's metallurgical processing pathway ahead of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) slated for completion by the end of 2026. UCT's involvement underscores South Africa's leadership in minerals processing research, particularly through its world-renowned expertise in flotation and hydrometallurgy.

Background on the Pedra Branca PGE Project

Platinum Group Elements (PGEs), which include platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), rhodium (Rh), ruthenium (Ru), iridium (Ir), and osmium (Os), are essential for catalytic converters in automobiles, fuel cells, jewelry, and emerging hydrogen technologies. The Pedra Branca project, acquired by ValOre in 2019, features seven distinct PGE+Au deposit areas, including Esbarro and Curiu, with mineralization occurring in layered mafic-ultramafic intrusions typical of Brazil's Borborema Province.

Historical exploration by previous operators invested over USD 35 million, including extensive drilling. ValOre has since conducted Trado auger drilling (87 holes in 2025 yielding high-grade intercepts like 10m at 12.95 g/t 2PGE+Au) and core drilling, expanding the resource potential. The project's near-surface nature (many intercepts from surface) supports low-strip-ratio open-pit operations, a key factor in economic viability.

This collaboration with UCT positions the project to leverage advanced research in refractory ore processing, crucial for unlocking the value of weathered supergene zones overlying fresh hypogene mineralization.

UCT's Centre for Minerals Research: A Hub for Minerals Processing Innovation

The University of Cape Town, Africa's top-ranked university, hosts the Centre for Minerals Research (CMR) within its Department of Chemical Engineering. Established as a multi-disciplinary hub, CMR focuses on flotation chemistry, bioleaching, hydrometallurgy, and mineralogical characterization—areas directly relevant to PGE recovery challenges.

CMR collaborates with global mining giants and has pioneered techniques for processing complex ores from South Africa's Bushveld Complex, the world's largest PGE producer. Teams led by experts like Professors Belinda McFadzean and Megan Becker specialize in quantitative mineralogy, PGM grain size analysis, and collector optimization. The Centre for Bioprocess Engineering Research (CeBR) and Hydromet Research Group complement this with bio-oxidation expertise using bacterial consortia.

For academics and researchers interested in minerals engineering, UCT offers cutting-edge facilities. Aspiring professionals can explore research jobs or research assistant positions in this field through platforms like AcademicJobs.com.

Key Findings from Phase 1 Metallurgical Testwork

Initiated in September 2024, Phase 1 at UCT involved detailed mineralogical characterization and flotation testing on fresh, weathered, and chromitite composites from Esbarro. Key outcomes:

• Comprehensive QEMSCAN and XRD analyses revealed fine-grained PGMs (<10 µm) locked in silicates and chromite, explaining recovery challenges.
• Fresh material flotation yielded 70-80% Pd and Pt recoveries, aligning with prior Blue Coast Research tests (79% Pt, 82% Pd rougher).
• Weathered material proved refractory, with low flotation recoveries (<20%), confirming need for alternative pretreatment.
• Preliminary shake-flask bioleaching showed enhanced iron and PGE liberation in weathered ores via bacterial oxidation.

These results, consistent with earlier cyanidation (up to 88% Pd via CLEVR™) and gravity tests (low potential), paved the way for Phase 2's focus on bioleaching scalability.

Scope and Innovations in Phase 2 Testwork

Phase 2, approved by ValOre's board, targets validation of low-cost processing routes:

• Scaling bioleaching to higher pulp densities (10-15% solids) for weathered material using natural bacteria consortia—proven in 20% of global copper and refractory gold production.
• Column leach tests simulating heap leaching, ideal for low-capex operations.
• Bioleaching trials on fresh mineralization below 30m depth.
• Optimized flotation and direct leaching for primary rock.

Samples—composites from Esbarro Trado auger (2025) and Curiu core (2021)—were assayed by SGS Brazil before shipment to CMR. This step-by-step approach ensures representative testing of supergene (weathered) and hypogene (fresh) domains.

Bioleaching involves inoculating ore with acidophilic bacteria (e.g., Acidithiobacillus) in aerated bioreactors, oxidizing sulfides and iron to liberate PGMs. Step 1: Crushing/grinding; Step 2: Bio-oxidation (days-weeks); Step 3: Downstream flotation/leach. This eco-friendly method reduces reagent use and energy costs.

Integration with Lycopodium Engineering for PEA

Parallel to UCT testwork, Lycopodium Minerals Pty Ltd (appointed Dec 2025) handles process engineering and flowsheet design per NI 43-101 standards. Their expertise in PGM projects will incorporate Phase 2 data into a PEA, evaluating capex, opex, and NPV.

This synergy exemplifies how university research accelerates commercial viability. For higher ed professionals, such partnerships offer avenues for academic CV-building collaborations.

Broader Implications for South African Higher Education and Mining Research

South Africa's universities like UCT play a pivotal role in the global critical minerals transition. With PGE demand surging (Pd prices ~$1000/oz amid supply deficits from Russia/South Africa), innovations like bioleaching address refractory ores plaguing 30-40% of deposits.

This partnership boosts UCT's international profile, attracts funding, and trains postgrads in sustainable processing—key for South Africa's Minerals Council strategies. Stakeholders include government (DMRE), industry (Anglo Platinum), and communities via beneficiation.

Challenges, Risks, and Future Outlook

• Challenges: Fine PGM grains require ultra-fine grinding; bioleach kinetics slower than chemical methods.
• Risks: Scale-up failures, permitting in Brazil, metal price volatility.
• Solutions: Phased testing, environmental baseline studies, hedging.

Outlook: Positive Phase 2 could elevate recoveries to 85%+, enabling standalone viability or M&A interest. Resource expansion via ongoing exploration adds upside. For 2026, expect interim results Q3, PEA Q4.

Career Opportunities in Minerals Research and Higher Education

This project highlights demand for chemical engineers, metallurgists, and geologists. UCT grads often secure roles at Impala Platinum or Sibanye-Stillwater. Explore higher ed jobs, lecturer jobs, or professor jobs in South Africa. Rate your experience at Rate My Professor or seek career advice.

Photo by Carl Tronders on Unsplash

Conclusion: A Milestone in University-Industry Synergy

The ValOre-UCT Phase 2 metallurgical testwork marks a milestone in PGE research, blending Brazilian resources with South African expertise. As the world shifts to green tech, such innovations promise sustainable supply chains. Stay tuned for updates, and check university jobs, higher ed jobs, Rate My Professor, and higher ed career advice for your next step.