In its latest update, Northern Minerals announced that it has successfully commissioned the crushing circuit, including the crusher and crushed ore conveyor, at Browns Range.

The final component of the plant, the ring gear for the mill, was delivered to site at the end of April.

The plant is on schedule to be completed by end of June, with first production of heavy rare-earth carbonate scheduled for the September quarter.

The pilot plant development provides the opportunity to gain production experience, surety of supply and assess the economic and technical feasibility of the larger full-scale development.

Northern Minerals' managing director, George Bauk, commented: "Commissioning at Browns Range has started well, with commissioning systems operating as expected when tested. We are on the cusp of production at Browns Range, with a heightened level of interest in the project globally as the only non-Chinese supplier of dysprosium."

Through the development of its flagship projects, Browns Range, Northern Minerals is aiming to be the first significant world producer of dysprosium outside of China.

Dysprosium is an essential ingredient in the production of DyNdFeB (dysprosium neodymium iron-boron) magnets used in clean energy and high technology solutions.