ACDC Metals (ASX:ADC) has received a Retention Licence (RL) for its Goschen Central rare earth element and heavy mineral sand project in western Victoria.
The Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Change granted the company RL008706, covering the entire Exploration Licence EL 5278. The 10-year licence enables ongoing exploration and development activities at the project.
“A recent Scoping Study demonstrated a robust business model for Goschen Central, with the potential to produce critical minerals including zircon, titanium, and rare earth elements. The study confirms the scale of the opportunity, with the proposed mine plan utilising just 15% of the total deposit,” CEO Tom Davidson says.
The company completed an updated mineral resource estimate in December 2024, followed by a successful bulk metallurgical test work program and product marketing in February 2025. A Scoping Study was completed in June 2025.
The Scoping Study outlined a base-case net present value of $384 million and a pre-tax internal rate of return of 24%. The study examined a phased development strategy, beginning with a traditional heavy mineral sand operation before progressing to rare earth element production.
“The RL gives us confidence in the project ownership to initiate further work programs to de-risk and advance the project and we look forward to updating the market on progress at the Goschen Central Project,” Davidson says.
ACDC Metals plans community consultation with landowners, the local community, and the council over the next 12 months. Geological assessment will focus on optimisation opportunities identified through the Scoping Study, including assessment of the fine fraction for inclusion in the resource estimate and conversion of inferred resources to the indicated category to support an extension of the potential mine plan.
Write to France Pinzon at Mining.com.au
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