OD6 Metals (ASX:OD6) said it achieved flowsheet improvements at the Splinter Rock rare earth element project in Western Australia after a study in collaboration with CPC Engineering confirmed that the use of a chlor-alkali facility to produce the reagents onsite will add value to the project, according to a Tuesday Australian bourse filing.

The on-site production of hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide will eliminate the expensive transport of liquid reagents. Low-cost solar sea salt will provide the primary feedstock for the facility alongside water and energy.

CPC Engineering and the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization are continuing to review the test work performed over the last nine months as part of an optioneering study.

The study is evaluating multiple technically viable flowsheets, and the study will identify a preferred flowsheet based on cost, recovery, scalability, and product quality.