Critica (ASX:CRI) has produced representative mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) and ‘high-grade’ iron concentrate samples from its Jupiter Rare Earth Project in Western Australia to support commercial discussions with potential offtake partners.
The MREO sample grades 98.2% total rare earth oxides (TREO), of which 28.4% comprises magnet rare earth oxides (MagREO). The sample contains neodymium (21.2%), praseodymium (5.70%), dysprosium (0.80%), terbium (0.23%), and yttrium (3.07%).
Additionally, Critica has produced a ‘high-grade’ iron concentrate grading 64.1% iron as a potential by-product, providing additional product optionality from the flowsheet.
CEO Jacob Deysel says the production of these samples is an ‘exciting’ milestone for Jupiter.
“We have spent the past year systematically improving and validating the flowsheet, and we have now reached the point where that work is translating into physical products that can support the next phase of commercial engagement,” Deysel says.
The sample production follows systematic flowsheet improvements, including 81% MagREO recovery, a 14-fold beneficiation upgrade to 3% TREO concentrate with 95% mass rejection, and 30% lower sulphuric acid consumption.
Critica is currently in talks with potential offtake and strategic counterparties, with the physical samples available for product evaluation. Production of mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) samples is also in progress to further broaden the suite of available products.
The samples were produced from beneficiated bulk samples taken from 35 aircore and eight reverse circulation drill holes within the Jupiter inferred resource envelope, representing 178m of drilling material.
Meanwhile, the Jupiter and Mt Lindsay Scoping Studies remain on track for delivery in Q4 2026.
Critica is now advancing near-term activities, such as evaluating and qualifying the MREO and iron by-product samples, completing the MREC sample, and continuing counterparty discussions.
Critica is a mineral explorer and developer focused on critical minerals like tin, rare earths, and tungsten.
Write to Paula Fabe at Mining.com.au
Main image: Critica
