Critica Limited Uncovers Australia’s Largest High-Grade Magnet REE Clay Resource – 640 Mt and Upgraded Metallurgical Insights Signal Sustainable Growth Opportunities

Wednesday, August 13, 2025
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9:09 am
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Critica Limited confirms Australia’s largest high-grade clay-hosted magnet rare earth deposit at Jupiter, enriched in elements like neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. This breakthrough supports pilot metallurgical studies while boosting prospects for long-life supply to high-tech sectors such as EVs and wind turbines.

Critica Limited has disclosed a major technical milestone at its Jupiter Rare Earths Project, reinforcing its position as a leader in the emerging rare earth market. The latest phase of work has defined distinct zones enriched with key magnet rare earth oxides—specifically neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium—elements crucial for high-performance magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, electronics, medical devices, and defence applications. At a selective cut-off of 400 parts per million MREO, the Jupiter resource is reported to contain 640 million tonnes grading 490 ppm MREO and an in‑situ content of approximately 310,000 tonnes. This positions the deposit as Australia’s largest and highest‑grade clay‑hosted magnet rare earth resource based on available peer data. The technical review underlines both the scale and quality of the Jupiter project. Initial metallurgical test work has demonstrated the potential to upgrade the feed material to 15,000 ppm TREO with about 95% mass rejection under laboratory conditions, which could lead to lower processing complexity and reduced environmental impact. In addition to the robust scientific and QAQC protocols employed in data collection—with extensive drilling, sampling techniques and block modelling—the strategic location in Western Australia adds further weight thanks to well‑established infrastructure and regulatory stability. The market reference of a US$110 per kilogram floor price for neodymium and praseodymium set by the U.S. Department of Defense for comparable projects reinforces the strong market fundamentals underlying these critical materials. Looking ahead, Critica plans to incorporate these positive findings into further technical and commercial work. The next steps include detailed metallurgical test work aimed at assessing the production of mixed rare earth carbonate, additional bulk sample collection to support pilot‑scale programs, and pilot studies designed to validate both beneficiation and leach performance. The company also intends to pursue a scoping study of high‑value MREO zones and engage with strategic offtake partners in a bid to secure a supply chain that meets evolving ESG-related criteria. Bullish sentiment comes from the clear demonstration of both resource scale and selectivity, efficient material upgrading, and strategic positioning within a high‑demand market underpinned by favourable government price guidance. The robust technical data and comprehensive QAQC measures lend confidence to the potential for a cost‑efficient, lower‑impact production pathway supporting a long‑life supply of magnet rare earth elements. On the other hand, some cautious voices might point to the inherent uncertainties of early-stage exploration, particularly the reliance on further metallurgical pilot and scoping studies and the challenges associated with mining emerging clay‑hosted rare earth deposits. These factors imply that, while the resource potential is significant, substantial technical and economic studies remain to be completed before the full value of the project can be realized. Overall, the announcement by Critica Limited reflects a significant step forward, setting the stage for future developments in the rare earth sector and signaling potential long-term benefits for investors focused on the critical minerals space.

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