ABx Group (ASX:ABX) has retained over 98% of rare earths from a program to produce a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) sample from the Deep Leads Project’s bulk sample in northern Tasmania.
The company says a ‘sweet spot’ was identified at about potential of hydrogen (pH 6) where the key impurity of aluminium was removed.
In the latest work, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) performed impurity removal tests from rare earth enriched leach solutions produced from fresh sub-samples of the 100kg bulk sample.
The combination of high extractions during leaching and high rare earth retention during impurity removal means that a high proportion of rare earths in the resources should report to the MREC product, indicating favourable process economics.
ABx, which has a market capitalisation of $19.61 million, says ANSTO will now finalise the process conditions for impurity removal, before producing an MREC sample.
The overall program is on schedule and the MREC sample is expected to be produced during the current quarter. The results and samples will be provided to prospective customers.
CEO Dr Mark Cooksey says the latest results is “strong” evidence that a high proportion of the rare earths in the Deep Leads resource can be extracted to an MREC product.
“We are eagerly looking forward to the production of the MREC sample,” Cooksey says.
“Because of high dysprosium-terbium content, high extractions, low impurities and a significant resource, ABx Group continues to receive strong interest from potential customers.”
As previously reported, ABx has been demonstrating high heavy rare earth extraction being achieved with large samples of material. In September 2025, rare earths extraction of between 60-66% dysprosium and 55-62% terbium were achieved, as well as between 65-72% neodymium and 63-70% praseodymium.
Based on the results, ABx and ANSTO have optimised the process conditions.
The objective of impurity removal is to precipitate impurities, such as aluminium, without precipitating rare earths concurrently. The soil impurities can then be separated from the remaining rare earth solution.
Magnet rare earth prices remain high, with benchmark reporting terbium oxide at almost US$1,000/kg. Cost, insurance, freight Europe prices of dysprosium and terbium are over three times higher than Chinese domestic prices, which ABx says illustrates the potential premium for non-China sources of rare earths.
ABx Group is an Australian resources company focused on rare earths, fluorine, and bauxite.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: ABx Group
