Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd Achieves Game-Changing ISR Milestone: Field Trials Lower pH to Unlock Cost-Effective Rare Earth Extraction Potential
Friday, June 13, 2025
at
9:34 am
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd reached a major milestone at its Ema project as field trials confirmed successful tracer migration and optimal pH reduction for rare earth leaching. Strong rock permeability and reliable data further de-risk the innovative in-situ recovery process, enhancing the project’s investment appeal for traders.
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd has made significant strides at its Ema project by successfully demonstrating the migration of magnesium sulphate in its field trial. The company recorded the movement of tracer reagent through multiple extraction holes across various test areas, with chemical data showing that pH levels in the extraction solution have been reduced to at or below 4.0—a critical threshold for leaching rare earth elements through in-situ recovery. Laboratory data corroborated these field measurements, with steady solution levels in both the injection and extraction wells confirming that the low concentration (0.5M) magnesium sulphate is effectively penetrating the target clay zones. The robust performance noted in these trials reinforces the technical viability of the extraction process, with underlying impermeable bedrock assisting in retaining the solution and enhancing the efficiency of the ISR method.
Monitoring data further supports the progress, as breakthrough times in the clay layer were recorded at approximately 3, 26, and 46 hours for different extraction holes. This variation corresponds directly with the distances of the wells from the injection points, and the consistent upward trend in solution levels over the first 100 hours of injection underscores the formation’s permeability and the method’s scalability. Independent oversight by WSP Brazil adds a layer of validation to these encouraging results, which echo the exceptional laboratory outcomes from previous testing periods throughout 2024 and early 2025.
The company’s managing director, Andrew Reid, hailed this progress as a critical de-risking milestone, emphasizing that the successful lowering of the in-situ pH to trigger rare earth element mobility marks a major technical breakthrough. This development not only validates the simplicity and effectiveness of the in-situ recovery process at the Ema project but also sets the stage for further metallurgical tests and hydrogeological modeling, which are integral to the upcoming bankable feasibility study and the environmental permitting process.
Bullish sentiment is bolstered by the strong match between field and laboratory data, and the clear demonstration of controlled reagent migration through the clay zones underlines the potential for efficient and low-impact extraction. The swift breakthrough times and consistent solution retention indicate a promising formation structure that could enhance the economic prospects of the project. However, bearish views may arise from the inherent risks associated with scaling up from pilot trials to full-scale production. The success of these initial trials, while encouraging, will need to be replicated in further testing and real-world conditions, and investors should remain mindful of potential delays or technical challenges that could emerge as the project moves toward commercial development.