Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) plans to undertake further de-risking events for the Ema Project in Brazil, by completing a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS), as well as solidifying offtake agreements and securing mine and environmental permits.
This news comes after the company delivered high in-situ recovery (ISR) rare earth leaching grades above 3,000 parts per million (ppm) via field trials. The results further reinforce Brazilian Critical Minerals’ confidence in scaling the Ema Project towards full production.
All holes recovered “high-grade” pregnant leaching solution (PLS) with peak grades of 3,510ppm total rare earth oxide (TREO) achieved during the field pilot trials.
Managing Director Andrew Reid says the latest results are “quite extraordinary”.
“The Ema field trial results display an incredibly high composition of the key magnet elements through both the light and heavy elements being the most widely used in rare earth end-products,” Reid says.
“Remarkably the PLS solution also contains more than 5% samarium being the key foundation element in many military and aerospace magnet applications, making it a truly unique rare earth assemblage.
“Every part of the leaching process from solution injection, rapidly permeating solution through the clays to leaching high-grade rare earths into solution is now without peer in the western world.”
The Ema Project comprises 189km2 of felsic volcanic over which 142 auger holes totalling 2,048m of drilling has been completed to date.
Rare earths are essential for the future in clean energy, advanced electronics, electric mobility, defense technologies, and more. By 2033, the global rare earth metals market is expected to reach $14.6 billion from $5.6 billion in 2023.
Brazilian Critical Minerals is a rare earths-focused explorer with assets in Northern Brazil.
Write to Aaliyah Rogan at Mining.com.au
Images: Brazilian Critical Minerals
