Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN) said the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization (ANSTO) completed the downstream hydrometallurgical test work program on monazite concentrate from its Kangankunde project in Malawi, validating the complete sulfuric acid bake flowsheet, according to a Wednesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The program confirmed high metallurgical performance, achieving 98% neodymium and praseodymium (NdPr) extraction and 96% total rare earths plus yttrium extraction in the largest acid bake test of the program, surpassing previous results, the filing said.

Additionally, 96% overall NdPr recovery was achieved from concentrate to final mixed rare earth carbonate, with impurity removal losses around 1.1%, per the filing.

Shares fell 1% in midday trade on Wednesday.