Australian Rare Earths (ASX:AR3) has received $960,000 from the International Partnerships in Critical Minerals (IPCM) program to advance the Koppamurra Rare Earth Project, located on the border of South Australia and Victoria.
The funding installment comes as the company nears completion of the Koppamurra Prefeasibility Study (PFS), which is intended to be completed in Q2 2026.
Australian Rare Earths was selected to obtain $5 million from the IPCM grant award. To date, the company has received $2.75 million from the grant, with the remaining $2.25 million expected in 2026, as reported by Mining.com.au.
The company is currently finalising metallurgical testwork optimisation, with the flowsheet design already complete.
The PFS is expected to be returned around the same time as the company begins a pilot plant program at the project.
In Q2 2026, the pilot plant program is intended to process around 30 tonnes of clay and produce a ‘high-quality’ mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) product.
Products produced at the Koppamurra pilot plant will be used for downstream qualification and engagement.
Australian Rare Earths is a critical minerals explorer, intending to meet the growing demand for uranium and rare earth elements through its wholly owned Koppamurra Project and Queensland assets.
Write to Maddison Elliott at Mining.com.au
Images: Australian Rare Earths
