
- WORLD EDITIONAustraliaNorth AmericaWorld
February 23, 2025
American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF and AMRRY) (“ARR” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of its Updated Halleck Creek Scoping Study, confirming the project’s strong economics, scalability, and strategic importance.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Strong economics, scalable growth: 3 Mtpa base case offers NPV10% of US$558M, IRR 24%, with a low-risk CAPEX of US$456M.
- Billion-dollar potential: 6 Mtpa case delivers NPV10% of US$1.17B, IRR 28.4%, and CAPEX of US$737M.
- First-mover advantage: State land tenure accelerates permitting, positioning ARR as a leading U.S.- based rare earths developer independent of tariffs and reliance on foreign processing.
- Vast Scalability & Growth: The 3 Mtpa Phase 1 will mine ~62.3Mt of ore over 20 years, utilising just ~2.4% of the 2.63Bt JORC resource2. With further studies underway, Halleck Creek could support a larger, long-term operation, with potential for extended mine life and increased production capacity.
- Deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with the current JORC resource of 2.63Bt covering only ~16% of the greater Halleck Creek surface area, highlighting significant expansion potential.
Compiled by independent engineering firm Stantec Consulting Services Inc., the Study highlights Halleck Creek’s strong economic potential, strategic advantages, and clear pathway to development as a U.S.-based rare earths project. Located in Wyoming, a Tier 1 mining jurisdiction, Halleck Creek benefits from state land tenure, allowing for accelerated permitting and development.
Compelling Economics & Scalable Growth
The Updated Scoping Study confirms Halleck Creek as a world-class rare earths project with robust financials and long-term scalability:
- 3 Mtpa Base Case:
- NPV10% of US$558 million, IRR of 24%
- CAPEX of US$456 million, with a 2.7-year payback period
- Annual production: ~4,169 metric tons of TREO, including 1,833 metric tons of NdPr oxide
- 6 Mtpa Case:
- NPV10% of US$1.171 billion, IRR of 28.4%
- CAPEX of US$737 million, with a 1.8-year payback period
- Annual production: ~7,661 metric tons of TREO, including 3,344 metric tons of NdPr oxide
First-Mover Advantage & U.S. Supply Chain Security
As the only large-scale rare earths project in the U.S. with a clear path to production, ARR is positioned to secure a domestic, tariff-free supply of critical minerals for U.S. and allied markets.
- China controls over 90% of global rare earth refining. With the U.S. prioritizing supply chain security, ARR is uniquely positioned as a credible U.S.-based developer to deliver a fully integrated solution— from mining to refining.
- State land tenure accelerates permitting, avoiding the lengthy delays often associated with projects on federal land.
- Halleck Creek's 100% U.S.-based production and refining will ensure a secure, domestic supply of rare earth oxide metals—eliminating reliance on foreign supply chains and reinforcing the 'Made in America' commitment.
- Deposit remains open at depth and along strike, with the current JORC resource of 2.63Bt covering only ~16% of the greater Halleck Creek project area, highlighting significant expansion potential.
Clear Development Pathway & Future Growth
Halleck Creek’s staged development approach ensures financial and operational flexibility, allowing ARR to scale production in alignment with market demand:
- Base Case: 3 Mtpa – Low-risk entry to production to produce an average of 4,169 mt of TREO per annum, including 1,833 mt of NdPr Oxide.
- Alternate Case: Scalable to 6 Mtpa – Enhancing project economics, producing an average of 7,661 mt TREO per annum, including 3,334 mt of NdPr Oxide
- Future Expansion Potential: The Cowboy State Mine (“CSM”) represents only Phase 1 of Halleck Creek’s development, benefiting from a strategic permitting advantage. The 20-year CSM LOM plan includes mining approximately 62.3 Mt of ore—just ~2.4% of the total 2,627 Mt JORC Mineral Resource—highlighting the vast potential for extended mine life and increased production in future phases. Given the increasing demand for rare earths, ARR is evaluating further studies, as Halleck Creek could support a much larger, long-term operation, with potential for extended mine life and increased production capacity that could position ARR among the top rare earth producers outside China.
CEO Commentary
Chris Gibbs, CEO of American Rare Earths, commented:
"The Updated Scoping Study reinforces Halleck Creek strong economic potential, strategic permitting advantage and clear pathway to development. With a large-scale resource and favourable economics, we are uniquely positioned to help secure America’s rare earth supply and reduce dependence on foreign sources.
"The 6 Mtpa case highlights Halleck Creek’s billion-dollar potential, delivering an NPV10% of US$1.17B and an IRR of 28%, showcasing the project’s scalability. The 3 Mtpa base case offers a low-risk entry point, producing 1,833 metric tonnes of NdPr oxide annually, with an NPV10% of US$558M, an IRR of 24%, and a 2.7-year payback period.
"With a scalable development pathway under evaluation, Halleck Creek has the potential to become a major supplier to U.S. and allied markets. Future production scenarios could position ARR among the top rare earth producers outside China, reinforcing America’s supply chain security for decades to come.
"And we’re not just mining—we are developing a fully integrated U.S. supply chain, refining and producing high- purity rare earth oxides for American manufacturers. Halleck Creek aligns with the growing push for Made-in- America critical minerals, securing a domestic supply for defense, aerospace, and high-tech manufacturing.”
Next Steps & Milestones
Building on strong execution in 2024, ARR is advancing key milestones to further de-risk and develop Halleck Creek, as outlined in the Updated Scoping Study and supported by recent metallurgy results. These developments reinforce the project's scalability and strategic importance as a leading U.S. rare earths asset. With a staged development approach, first production could be as early as 2029, subject to ongoing technical and economic assessments. The Company is looking at ways to fast-track development, including plans to commence Phase One of a pilot plant for the beneficiation process. The roadmap ahead highlights key next steps for 2025 and the next major stage gate in the project’s development.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from American Rare Earths, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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The Conversation (0)
12 February
American Rare Earths Limited
Investor Insight
American Rare Earths is unlocking the USA’s rare earths potential through its strategic, high-value asset in Wyoming, ramping up its development to bolster the North American critical minerals supply chain.
Overview
American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR,OTCQX:ARRNF,ADR:AMRRY) is a critical minerals exploration company focused on its 100 percent owned Halleck Creek project in Wyoming. This project represents the largest known rare earth deposit in the US, with high concentrations of key magnet elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium—essential components for renewable energy, electric vehicles and advanced defense systems.
The US currently depends on China for 80 to 90 percent of its rare earth processing, which poses a significant supply chain risk. Halleck Creek’s vast resource, with a 2.63-billion-ton JORC estimate at 3,292 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxide (TREO), provides an opportunity to secure domestic supply for nearly 100 years.
Beyond its substantial resource base, the project offers significant exploration upside, presenting a multi-generational opportunity to establish a sustainable rare earths supply chain in the US. The support from EXIM Bank further highlights the strategic importance of Halleck Creek in reducing U.S. dependency on foreign suppliers.Company Highlights
- American Rare Earth’s flagship project, Halleck Creek, is one of North America’s largest REE deposits. With a 2.63-billion-ton JORC resource at 3,292 ppm TREO, it holds the potential to meet US rare earths demand for approximately 100 years.
- The company is completely focused on developing a US-based critical minerals supply chain, aligning with US policies to reduce reliance on China for rare earth supply.
- The Halleck Creek project’s planned development consists of two phases. Phase 1 entails development of the Cowboy State mine, which is located entirely on Wyoming state land, enabling faster permitting and streamlined regulatory processes. Subsequently, cash flow generated from CSM will support development of the federal portions of Halleck Creek in Phase 2.
- This phased approach allows ARR to accelerate its pathway to production, enhance shareholder value, and strengthen its position as a key domestic supplier of rare earth elements in the United States.
- Well-positioned to address critical supply chain vulnerabilities, Halleck Creek benefits from strong federal and state support, including a non-binding EXIM Bank letter of interest for funding up to $456 million.
Key Projects
Halleck Creek Project (Wyoming)
The Halleck Creek project in Albany County, Wyoming, is the cornerstone of ARR’s growth strategy. Recognized as one of the largest, rare-earth deposits in North America, it boasts a JORC-compliant resource of 2.63 billion tons at 3,292 ppm TREO. The deposit is hosted in Precambrian granites and metamorphic rocks, which contain REE-enriched minerals like monazite and bastnaesite. The coarse-grained nature of the mineralization ensures cost-effective extraction and processing.
The high TREO content and low levels of impurities make Halleck Creek well-suited for producing separated rare earth oxides, particularly key magnet elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium and dysprosium. The project’s proximity to established infrastructure, including roads and utilities, supports cost-efficient development. Detailed geological surveys have delineated a large, continuous mineralized zone, which currently covers only 16 percent of the total land package. Advanced metallurgical testing has confirmed recovery rates of up to 67 percent, with further optimization efforts ongoing. Drilling campaigns in 2024 successfully expanded resource estimates, validating the deposit’s scalability.
ARR plans to take a phased development approach for Halleck Creek, designed to maximize early value while minimizing risk. Phase 1 entails the development of the Cowboy State mine (CSM), which will focus on mining high-grade zones and generating early cash flow. Phase 1 will be developed entirely on Wyoming state land, enabling faster permitting and streamlined regulatory processes.
According to the Phase 1 Scoping Study, the CSM development is projected to require an initial capex of $380 million, with a 20 percent contingency. The study estimates an NPV of $430 million at a 10 percent discount rate and an IRR of 21.1 percent, based on a 3-million-ton-per-annum throughput rate. The project is expected to have a payback period of 2.9 years and a life of mine exceeding 20 years, with significant potential for future expansion.
In Phase 2, ARR plans to expand operations into federal land areas within the Halleck Creek property. This phase involves de-risking the federal portions of the project by leveraging cash flow from the initial phase and advancing permitting processes in parallel. Additionally, ARR is actively engaging with state regulators and local stakeholders to ensure compliance and support for its phased development approach.
Upcoming Work
ARR is advancing its development efforts on Halleck Creek over several fronts. The company plans to conduct additional drilling aimed at expanding the resource by targeting unexplored zones with known mineralization. In parallel, Phase 2 metallurgical testing will focus on improving recovery rates and producing high purity separated rare earth oxides to enhance project economics. To maintain its accelerated timeline, ARR is making progress on permitting, including advancing state-level approvals and environmental baseline studies for the CSM area. Furthermore, the company plans to initiate a pre-feasibility study (PFS) by late 2025, emphasizing a phased development strategy that includes the CSM as a key component.
La Paz Project (Arizona)
The La Paz project, located in western Arizona, is a promising asset in ARR’s portfolio, featuring a 171-million-ton JORC resource. The deposit is enriched in light rare earth elements, particularly cerium, lanthanum and neodymium, which are critical for renewable energy technologies and electric vehicles. The project benefits from excellent infrastructure, including proximity to roads and power. ARR continues to evaluate the potential for expanding the resource and advancing the project through further drilling and metallurgical testing. Although secondary to Halleck Creek, it holds potential as a long-term asset for ARR’s portfolio.
Beaver Creek (Wyoming)
This project is located near Halleck Creek and shares similar geological characteristics, indicating potential for significant rare earth mineralization. Preliminary fieldwork has identified areas with elevated rare earth element concentrations, and ARR plans to conduct detailed mapping and geophysical surveys to define drill targets.
Searchlight (Nevada)
Situated close to Mountain Pass, the only currently operating rare earth mine in the US, the Searchlight project is strategically located in a region known for its rare earth potential. ARR’s exploration strategy includes leveraging historical data and conducting modern geochemical sampling to identify high-priority areas for further exploration.
Leadership Team
Chris Gibbs - CEO & Executive Director
Appointed in November 2021, Chris Gibbs brings more than 30 years of experience in the resource sector across Australia, Canada, the US, South America, Africa and Europe. His track record includes driving growth and operational excellence for industry-leading mining companies. Prior to joining ARR, Gibbs held senior positions at Argonaut Gold, Centerra Gold, Barrick Gold, Placer Dome and Millennium Chemicals.
Joe Evers - President
Joe Evers has served in various leadership roles in the energy and mining industry. Most recently, Evers served as general counsel of American Rare Earths. Prior to that, he was corporate counsel at an international mining company and held positions of increasing responsibility in the land and policy departments at a publicly traded oil and gas company. Originally hailing from Sheridan, Wyoming, Evers received a bachelor’s degree and JD/MA in Environment & Natural Resources from the University of Wyoming. Evers was instrumental in securing a US$7.1 million grant from the State of Wyoming with support from partners Wyoming Energy Authority and the University of Wyoming Energy Resources Council.
Dwight Kinnes - Chief Technical Officer
A geologist with decades of experience, Dwight Kinnes has specialized in geological modeling of complex deposits in various international locations. Before joining ARR, he served as president of Highland GeoComputing LLC for 17 years, providing geological field services, modeling, GIS and database management to the mining industry.
Wayne Kernaghan - Company Secretary
Appointed on September 25, 2020. Wayne Kernaghan is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia with over 35 years’ experience in various areas of the mining industry. He is a fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and a chartered secretary.
Board of Directors
Richard Hudson - Chairman
Richard Hudson contributes deep leadership expertise in mining and exploration, with a focus on mineral royalties, mineral economics, financial management, strategic planning and acquisitions. His extensive experience enhances the board's capacity to guide ARR's strategic initiatives.
Sten L Gustafson - Non-executive Director and Deputy Chairman
Sten Gustafson is the chief executive officer and a director of Pyrophyte Acquisition (NYSE:PHYT), a special purpose acquisition company focused on companies that provide products, services, equipment and technologies that support a variety of energy transition solutions. He is a highly experienced energy service industry executive, investment banker and corporate securities attorney. With over 25 years of experience in the global energy sector, Gustafson has advised on more than 100 corporate transactions worldwide worth over US$100 billion in value.
Melissa ‘Mel’ Sanderson - Non-executive Director
Melissa Sanderson’s international career has spanned diplomacy and mining for more than 30 years. She is adept at cross-cultural communication and brings exceptional leadership experience in inclusivity and diversity issues. At global mining leader Freeport-McMoRan, Sanderson sited, staffed and ran a corporate office focused on government and public relations and social responsibility programs. She has also served as a senior diplomat in the US Department of State.
Hugh Keller - Non-executive Director
Hugh Keller had a successful 34 year career as a partner at the law firm Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst) until retirement from full time legal practice in 2010. During this time, Keller served as joint national managing partner, Sydney office managing partner, chairman of the staff superannuation fund, one of the practice leaders, and as a board member. He was a non-executive director of ASX listed Thakral Holdings and a member of its audit committee until the company was acquired in a public takeover by Brookfield. He was a non-executive director of LJ Hooker and a member of its audit committee. He has also served as chairman of a large private investment company, several small investment companies and a private small exploration company. Keller has extensive legal experience and expertise in commercial contracts and arrangements, and public company audit committee procedures and requirements. He has led large teams of professionals and successfully managed people and resources in large projects.
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Advancing one of the largest REE deposits in North America
30 July
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
American Rare Earths Limited (ARR:AU) has announced Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
24 July
Advances Halleck Creek Demonstration Plant-$15 placement
American Rare Earths Limited (ARR:AU) has announced Advances Halleck Creek Demonstration Plant-$15 placement
21 July
Resignation of Managing Director/CEO
18 July
Project Update - Optimisation Underway Halleck Creek
American Rare Earths Limited (ARR:AU) has announced Project Update - Optimisation Underway Halleck Creek
6h
Critical Metals Corp NASDAQ CRML – Surpasses 70% Completion Milestone of the Tanbreez Bankable Feasibility Study & Remains on Schedule for Completion on or Before Q4 2025
Critical Metals Corp. (Nasdaq: CRML) (“Critical Metals Corp” or the “Company”), a leading critical minerals mining company, today announced that Tanbreez Mining Greenland A/S (“Tanbreez”) is approximately 70% complete on the final stages of the Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for a 500,000 tons per annum mining and processing operation at the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project in South Greenland. The BFS is being led by Danish engineering firm NIRAS A/S (“NIRAS”), a globally leading multidisciplinary engineering and environmental consultancy based in Denmark. The BFS remains on track for submission in Q4 2025. In addition, NIRAS has completed environmental fieldwork for the 2025 baseline sampling program.
Tony Sage, Executive Chairman of the Company, commented:
“The progress on the final BFS engineering and the completion of the 868 baseline sampling program represent a major milestone in unlocking the full potential of the Tanbreez Rare Earth Project. Our partnership with NIRAS ensures that both technical and environmental aspects are being addressed to the highest standards, reinforcing our commitment to responsible development.”
This final BFS phase includes:
• Completion of mine design and process plant engineering
• Tailings management and water treatment strategies
• Integration of environmental and regulatory inputs
• Preparation of documentation for submission to Greenland’s MLSA

Figure 1. Proposed plant and port site.
The engineering scope encompasses detailed design of the two open pit mining phases, including blasting and haulage logistics, crushing and magnetic separation circuits, slurry transport systems, and tailings deposition infrastructure at Lake Foster. It also includes port and haul road layouts, diesel power generation, and worker accommodation facilities. NIRAS is integrating hydrological modelling, dust dispersion controls, and closure planning into the final design to ensure long-term environmental compliance, operational efficiency, and alignment with Greenland’s regulatory framework.

Figure 2 – NIRAS engineers at the proposed Tanbreez port site 27/8/2025
Once completed, which is expected in the fourth quarter of 2025, the BFS will form the central component of the Tanbreez updated Exploitation License documentation, to be submitted to the Mineral License and Safety Authority (MLSA) of Greenland, in accordance with the Greenlandic Mineral Resources Act and the specific terms of the granted exploitation license MIN 2020-54.

Figure 3 – NIRAS team undertaking August 2025 baseline marine sampling
This submission will support the progression of the project towards final approval to commence potential commercial mining operations.

Figure 4 - NIRAS FS finalization team
Completion of 2025 Baseline Sampling Program
In parallel, Critical Metals Corp confirms that environmental fieldwork for the 2025 baseline sampling program has officially been completed. This program—coordinated by NIRAS ran through August 2025 and was designed to close spatial and seasonal gaps in the existing baseline dataset.
Key components of the sampling campaign included:
- Bergerhoff dust monitoring
- All-year freshwater sampling across 19 stations
- Sediment coring in Lake Foster and Kangerluarsuk Fjord
- Arctic char population update via electrofishing
- Intertidal sampling of mussels, bladderwrack, and sea scorpion

Figure 5 – NIRAS team undertaking baseline marine fauna sampling August 2025
These efforts support the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and reinforce Tanbreez’s commitment to responsible development.
About NIRAS
With nearly 70 years of experience, NIRAS has grown from a Danish consultancy into an international leader in sustainable progress. Founded by visionary engineers Jørgen Kristian Nielsen and Konrad Rauschenberger in 1956, NIRAS’s early projects in Greenland laid the foundation for their expertise in resilient and innovative solutions. Their decentralized structure fosters local expertise, adaptability and collaboration across borders and disciplines, ensuring sustainable value creation for their clients and the communities they serve.
As a multidisciplinary consultancy company with more than 3,000 employees located in 62 offices across Europe, Africa, Asia, North, and South America, NIRAS work within multiple areas from processing plants and construction over energy, water, environment, and infrastructure to third world aid and urban planning. NIRAS have 8,000 ongoing projects in more than 140 countries and their trademark is the crosscutting approach, always grounded and tailored to achieve the best outcomes for their clients and communities.
About Tanbreez
The Tanbreez Rare Earth Project is one of the world’s largest hard rock rare earth elements (REE) deposits, located in southern Greenland near the town of Qaqortoq. The project is notable for its high concentration of heavy rare earth oxides (HREOs), which are critical for high-tech applications, clean energy, and defence industries. Unlike other major TREO deposits, Tanbreez contains very low levels of uranium and thorium, making it more environmentally and politically viable.
- Deposit Type: Kakortokite (a stratiform layered igneous rock rich in TREOs)
- Kakortokite Estimate: ~4.7 billion tonnes of REE-bearing mineralisation
- Heavy REE Content: ~27% of Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO)
- Location: Near Qaqortoq, southern Greenland
- Target drilling: ongoing to achieve Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources
- Project Stage: advanced Bankable Feasibility Study phase
Kakortokite host may not always contain any economic mineralisation of TREO.
About Critical Metals Corp.
Critical Metals Corp (Nasdaq: CRML) is a leading mining development company focused on critical metals and minerals, and producing strategic products essential to electrification and next generation technologies for Europe and its western world partners. Its flagship Project, Tanbreez, is one of the world's largest rare earth deposits and is located in Southern Greenland. The deposit is expected to have access to key transportation outlets as the area features year-round direct shipping access via deep water fjords that lead directly to the North Atlantic Ocean.
Another key asset is the Wolfsberg Lithium Project located in Carinthia, 270 km south of Vienna, Austria. The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is the first fully permitted mine in Europe and is strategically located with access to established road and rail infrastructure and is expected to be the next major producer of key lithium products to support the European market. Wolfsberg is well positioned with offtake and downstream partners to become a unique and valuable asset in an expanding geostrategic critical metals portfolio.
With this strategic asset portfolio, Critical Metals Corp is positioned to become a reliable and sustainable supplier of critical minerals essential for defense applications, the clean energy transition, and next-generation technologies in the western world.
For more information, please visit https://www.criticalmetalscorp.com/.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements may include expectations of our business and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and are not guarantees of performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this news release, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “designed to” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical facts. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this news release, and expectations, forecasts and assumptions as of that date, involve a number of judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Critical Metals Corp.
Investor Relations: ir@criticalmetalscorp.com
Media: pr@criticalmetalscorp.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/88d85eb6-7ec7-4eb8-a7f1-9541d0ea1e07
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/78882267-a354-4f9d-bfc5-904be7463263
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2ee43546-681a-4bee-ab33-8753fe41123b
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4b7e57a1-6ec0-45eb-b5c2-1fe2fc557de3
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e76ca157-f762-463b-a9ef-4b68773af474
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01 September
Critica Set to Produce First Rare Earths as Jupiter Project Progresses
Critica (ASX:CRI,OTC Pink:VTMLF) has delivered the first composite concentrate from its flagship Jupiter project to the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) for independent leach testwork.
ANSTO will process the concentrate to produce mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC), while specialist consultancy Minutech will conduct hydrometallurgical programs to gauge processing routes.
Located in Yalgoo, Western Australia, Jupiter currently holds a global inferred resource of 1.8 billion tonnes at 1,700 parts per million (ppm) total rare earth oxides (TREO), including 520 million tonnes at 2,200 ppm TREO.
On August 13, Critica confirmed the project’s standing as Australia’s largest and highest-grade clay-hosted magnet rare earth oxide (MREO) inferred resource by both total tonnage and contained MREO.
According to the company, mineralisation at Jupiter can easily be upgraded by over 800 percent via two beneficiation steps, which “points to a materially smaller wet plant and lower capital and operating intensity.”
Additionally, Jupiter contains low uranium and thorium levels, which could ease permitting and international offtake.
“ANSTO's independent leach test program, alongside Minutech's, will define the most effective chemistry to produce Jupiter MREC and directly inform our pilot work and staged duties,” Deysel said in an August 26 release.
With a focus on four key magnet rare earths — namely neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium — Critica aims to assist in the global energy transition. The company is also looking to support long-term demand from areas including the electric vehicle, wind turbine, medical and defence sectors.
“With infrastructure advantages and extensive additional targets across our tenure, Jupiter is shaping as a cornerstone of Australia’s rare earth supply chain," added Deysel.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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27 August
Ucore Strikes Rare Earth Offtake Deal With Critical Metals
Ucore Rare Metals (TSXV:UCU,OTCQX:UURAF) has moved to shore up future supplies of heavy rare earths through a preliminary offtake deal with Critical Metals (NASDAQ:CRML).
The Halifax-based company announced Tuesday (August 26) it had signed a non-binding letter of intent with Critical Metals, which plans to develop the Tanbreez rare earth project in Southern Greenland.
Under the proposed 10 year arrangement, Critical Metals would deliver a rare earth carbonate or oxide product to Ucore, starting in 2027 or upon commercial production, whichever comes later.
The feedstock is slated for processing at Ucore’s Strategic Metals Complex in Louisiana, a facility backed by both the Pentagon and the state of Louisiana. Smaller volumes will be processed first at Ucore’s demonstration plant in Kingston.
“Critical Metals Corp’s Tanbreez offers tremendous opportunities for Ucore given the significant concentration of heavy rare earths it contains, which are essential for the production of rare earth permanent magnets,” Ucore Chief Executive Pat Ryan said in a statement. “Both Critical Metals Corp and Ucore share a vision to lessen China’s grip of the rare earth ecosystem in the West, and we look forward to our partnership.”
Critical Metals’ executive chairman Tony Sage also said the collaboration would help fill gaps in Western supply chains for strategic minerals.
“These materials are critical to a number of western defense and consumer applications and we look forward to teaming up with Ucore and their exceptional team to support the development of a robust supply chain in America that isn’t reliant on China,” he said.
Rare earth elements, particularly the heavy segment such as terbium and dysprosium, are crucial for high-performance magnets used in fighter jets, missiles, radar, electric vehicles and renewable energy systems.
China currently controls the vast majority of mining and separation capacity, leaving Western nations exposed to potential export restrictions and supply chain disruptions.
Incidentally, the offtake announcement comes weeks after Ucore recieved a US$18.4 million Phase 2 award from the US Department of Defense to scale up its Louisiana refining complex.
The project builds on an earlier US$4 million Phase 1 program in which the company successfully demonstrated the separation of terbium and dysprosium at its Ontario pilot facility.
In addition, the Pentagon funding supports the installation of the company’s proprietary RapidSX separation technology at commercial scale. Ucore said the award will culminate with the construction of a first commercial RapidSX machine at the Louisiana site.
Pentagon officials have repeatedly warned that China’s dominance in the sector poses a strategic vulnerability, and have stepped up efforts to seed alternative supply chains in North America.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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22 August
Top 5 Australian Mining Stocks This Week: Kaili Resources Shares Surge on Drilling Update
Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly round-up of the top-performing mining stocks listed on the ASX, starting with news in Australia's resource sector.
Various companies were on the move this week, with their focuses ranging from rare earths to oil and gas.
Making headlines in the sector was Peabody Energy (NYSE:BTU), which said it will not be purchasing Anglo American's (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF) steelmaking coal portfolio, cancelling the US$3.78 billion deal.
Peabody made the decision after an "ignition event" at Anglo's Moranbah North mine in Queensland's Bowen Basin; in response, Anglo said the incident “does not constitute a material adverse change” under their agreements.
Elsewhere, Highfield Resources (ASX:HFR) said China Minmetals and its subsidiary have decided not to proceed with a proposed strategic transaction amounting to an approximately US$300 million equity subscription in Highfield.
In other news, Victory Metals (ASX:VTM) was chosen as the recipient of a Mineral Research Institute of Western Australia research grant, with the total amounting to AU$250,000. It will use the funds to pursue scandium oxide production.
Market and commodities price round-up
The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) had a record-breaking week, passing the 9,000 mark for the first time on Thursday (August 21). The index ended Friday (August 22) below that level at 8,973.8.
Gold demonstrated a 0.2 percent decrease in US dollars, going from US$3,336.30 per ounce on Monday (August 18) to US$3,329.49 by the close of Australian trading on Friday. The metal saw a significant increase in Australian dollars, going up 1.18 percent, from AU$5,126.49 to AU$5,187.26, over the same period of time.
Silver largely remained flat in US dollars, starting the week at US$38.03 per ounce and closing at US$38.01. In Australian dollars, the metal went from AU$58.43 to AU$59.22, a 1.35 percent increase.
Top ASX mining stocks this week
How did ASX mining stocks perform against this backdrop?
Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Australian mining stocks below as the Investing News Network breaks down their operations and why these companies are up this week.
Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. AEST on Thursday using TradingView's stock screener and reflects price movements between Monday and Thursday. Only companies trading on the ASX with market capitalisations greater than AU$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.
1. Kaili Resources (ASX:KLR)
Weekly gain: 427.78 percent
Market cap: AU$159.19 million
Share price: AU$0.19
Kaili Resources is an explorer with an all-Australian asset portfolio.
It is currently focused on the advancement of its Limestone Coast rare earths projects in South Australia, alongside the pursuit of its gold, rare earths and base metal assets in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
On August 15, Kaili received drilling approval for three tenements at its Limestone Coast projects, namely Lameroo, Karte and Coodalya. After opening the week at AU$0.036, the junior explorer turned heads with an 8,700 percent increase in its share price during trading on Monday, peaking at AU$3.15 around 3:30 p.m. AEST.
Trading was halted shortly after, by which time shares had pulled back to AU$1.08.
That day, the company addressed the spike in response to an ASX price query, saying that its only recent update is the approved drilling for Limestone. “(This) may have drawn investors’ interest to KLR in view of current market high interest in critical minerals,” Kaili states in its response to the ASX. A report by Livewire Markets notes that the ASX “declined to comment beyond what it has already publicly detailed” in its Monday query to Kaili.
Kaili recommenced trading on Thursday following a response to further inquiries from the ASX. While its share price pulled back over the period, it still ended the day up significantly from the start of the week.
2. iTech Minerals (ASX:ITM)
Weekly gain: 117.24 percent
Market cap: AU$12.3 million
Share price: AU$0.063
Founded in 2021, iTech Minerals' two main assets are the Eyre Peninsula graphite project in South Australia and the Reynolds Range copper-gold-lithium project in the Northern Territory.
On Tuesday (August 19), iTech identified antimony zones at Reynolds Range. The company reported two separate zones of up to 300 metres, with rock chip results including 30.6 percent antimony and 2.5 grams per tonne (g/t) gold.
The day before the announcement, iTech shares saw a spike in trading volume, prompting an ASX price query. The company responded on Tuesday morning, saying its only pending announcement was the Reynolds Range news.
On Friday, the company shared new geophysics targets at Reynolds Range, with a dipol-dipol induced-polarisation survey discovering a significant chargeability anomaly, and a rock chip sample at a separate zone returning grades of 15.4 percent g/t gold and 3.3 percent copper.
Shares of iTech peaked on Tuesday and Wednesday (August 20) with a close of AU$0.072.
3. TMK Energy (ASX:TMK)
Weekly gain: 50 percent
Market cap: AU$30.67 million
Share price: AU$0.003
TMK Energy is a gas exploration company with a focus on Mongolia.
Its flagship project is the Gurvantes XXXV project, an approximately 8,400 square kilometre coal seam gas exploration initiative in Mongolia’s South Gobi Basin. Six active coal mines are within its boundaries.
On Thursday, TMK announced that the pilot production well at Gurvantes has been completed and is currently undergoing final commissioning activities. Once it enters production, which the company said would happen in the coming days, it will bring the total number of online pilot production wells at the site to seven.
“With the help of additional production data acquired from LF-04, LF-05 and LF-06 since early 2025, we are gaining a better understanding of the reservoir and placing a renewed emphasis on the overall reservoir management plan with the objective of maximising both water and gas production in the near term and ultimately proving commerciality of the resource," CEO Dougal Ferguson commented in the company's press release.
Now that drilling operations have concluded, TMK outlined its next steps, including a search for project partners to co-fund the next development stage of Gurvantes XXXV. After closing at AU$0.002, shares of the company climbed mid-week, peaking at an AU$0.003 close on Wednesday and Thursday.
4. Latrobe Magnesium (ASX:LMG)
Weekly gain: 47.06 percent
Market cap: AU$71.13 million
Share price: AU$0.025
Latrobe Magnesium is a magnesium company known for developing what it claims is the world’s first-of-its-kind magnesium extraction production process combining hydrometallurgical and thermal reduction.
Its flagship asset is a portfolio of projects in Latrobe Valley, Victoria. This includes a Stage 1 demonstration magnesium plant, which is expected to start production later this year.
“In the Latrobe Valley, magnesium metal will be extracted from fly ash produced by brown coal power plants,” the company states on its website. “This low emission process produces other valuable by-products such as supplementary cementitious material (SCM), silica and iron oxide using almost 100 percent of the fly ash resource.”
On Monday, Latrobe said that the Environmental Protection Authority had updated and reissued its pilot project licence, with an extension granted until February 2027. This step will allow it to begin hydrometallurgical operations again, with the first magnesium oxide output coming after it achieves steady state operations.
Shares of the company rose following the Monday announcement, climbing from a Monday close of AU$0.021 to an AU$0.027 close on both Tuesday and Wednesday.
5. Sunrise Energy Metals (ASX:SRL)
Weekly gain: 44.53 percent
Market cap: AU$201.36 million
Share price: AU$1.915
Sunrise Energy Metals is a developer focused on the Sunrise battery materials project in New South Wales.
Sunrise hosts a nickel-cobalt-scandium deposit, which the company states is among the largest of its kind globally. The project includes the Syerston scandium project, planned as a smaller, standalone scandium extraction operation.
The Sunrise deposit’s scandium resource estimate currently stands at 60.3 million tonnes at 390 parts per million (ppm) scandium for 23,500 tonnes of contained scandium.
On July 28, the company released high-grade scandium assays from a drill campaign at Syerston, with results such as 11 meters at 635 ppm scandium from surface, including 6 meters at 788 ppm scandium from 4 meters.
On Thursday, Sunrise said shareholder Sam Riggall, director of philanthropic trust the JTM Foundation, had sold 180,000 shares on market to fund grants to Australian charities. The sale was split across Wednesday and Thursday.
”Mr. Riggall remains a committed long-term shareholder in the company and retains a direct and indirect ownership interest in over 2.5 million shares in (Sunrise Energy),” the Thursday announcement states.
After spiking Wednesday, shares of Sunrise moved even higher on Thursday and closed at AU$1.92.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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20 August
New Rare Earths Venture to Target High-grade Assets in US and Brazil
Privately owned Rare Earths Americas (REA) has formed in a bid to explore and develop high-grade rare earths assets in the US and Brazil, looking to consolidate supply chains for various domestic sectors.
The company, which raised AU$25 million in a private funding round, said it combines experienced operators and investors with “deep expertise across global mining, energy and critical materials.”
Included in the company's portfolio is the Foothills discovery, located in Georgia, US.
The site contains grades of up to 41.3 percent total rare earth oxides, including heavy rare earths crucial for high-performance magnets. REA has highlighted its strong logistics, low-cost power and streamlined path to permitting.
In Brazil, the Alpha and Constellation projects hold more than 1 billion metric tons of high-grade ionic clay rare earths mineralization, including dysprosium and terbium, which are essential for permanent magnets.
The Homer project, also located in Brazil, targets multiple carbonatite clusters with the potential for niobium discoveries in a region known for leading niobium mines.
“The rare earths market is undergoing a generational shift as the West races to secure its rare earths future,” said CEO Donald Swartz in a Monday (August 18) press release.
REA’s timing aligns with broader US efforts to reduce reliance on China, which currently controls nearly 70 percent of global rare earths processing and accounts for most heavy rare earths production.
In April, Beijing restricted shipments of seven rare earths to the US and other countries, prompting concern among automakers and defense contractors dependent on these materials.
The US government recently proposed a pricing support mechanism for domestic rare earths ventures in order to increase production and mitigate China’s influence.
Discussions last month, led by former White House Trade Advisor Peter Navarro and National Security Council official David Copley, included rare earths producers and major tech firms reliant on these critical minerals.
China’s dominance stems from billions of dollars invested in mining and processing since 2000, often with minimal environmental or safety oversight, allowing the country to produce rare earths at lower cost than western competitors.
The US response to the Asian nation's rare earths stranglehold has included efforts to develop domestic mine supply and build out refinement, processing and production capacity. American companies have also sought to secure alternative sources in Africa and Latin America, but investment and technology barriers remain significant.
Mountain Pass in California, the country’s only large-scale rare earths mine, produces bastnaesite carbonate, but relies heavily on foreign processing. MP Materials (NYSE:MP), the mine’s operator, posted a net loss of US$65.4 million in 2024, highlighting the challenge of competing with China’s low-cost production model.
REA’s launch positions it as a potential strategic player in this evolving landscape.
According to the company, the Foothills project offers a “streamlined permitting pathway” in the US, while the Alpha and Constellation projects in Brazil provide access to large-scale, high-grade heavy rare earths.
“With grade and strategic geography on our side, we intend to advance our rare earths projects to support the long-term supply of critical materials essential to domestic innovation,” Swartz added.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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15 August
Top 5 Australian Mining Stocks This Week: Bayan Mining Soars 87.5 Percent on Project Updates
Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly round-up of the top-performing mining stocks listed on the ASX, starting with news in Australia's resource sector.
Rare earths companies took the lead this week, with several gainers involved in the sector.
In corporate news, Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK,TSX:ALK,OTCQX:ALKEF) closed its AU$559.1 million merger with gold- and antimony-focused Mandalay Resources. The deal was announced in April, and the combined company is projected to produce about 160,000 gold equivalent ounces in the 2025 fiscal year; that could rise to 180,000 ounces next year.
On a separate note, Arafura Rare Earths (ASX:ARU,OTC Pink:ARAFF) received a non-binding letter of interest regarding a potential investment in its Nolans project from Export Finance Australia (EFA).
EFA doesn't specify the amount of funding, but Reuters reported that it is likely to be around AU$100 million.
Market and commodity price round-up
The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) posted a modest 0.93 percent gain this week, opening at 8,817.2 on Monday (August 11) and closing at 8,900.4 on Friday (August 15).
Gold demonstrated a 0.75 percent decrease in US dollars, going from US$3,365.65 per ounce on Monday to US$3,340.53 by the close of Australian trading on Friday. The yellow metal saw a smaller decrease in Australian dollars, going down 0.5 percent from AU$5,159.15 to AU$5,133.32 over the same period.
Silver largely remained flat in US dollars, starting the week at US$38.06 per ounce and closing at US$38 with a 0.16 percent decrease. In Australian dollars, the metal went from AU$58.33 to AU$58.39.
Top ASX mining stocks this week
How did ASX mining stocks perform against this backdrop?
Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Australian mining stocks below as the Investing News Network breaks down their operations and why these companies are up this week.
Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. AEST on Thursday (August 14) using TradingView's stock screener and reflects price movements between Monday and Thursday. Only companies trading on the ASX with market capitalisations greater than AU$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.
1. Bayan Mining and Minerals (ASX:BMM)
Weekly gain: 87.5 percent
Market cap: AU$14.2 million
Share price: AU$0.135
Bayan Mining and Minerals is a critical minerals explorer with assets in Canada and the US. It is focused on rare earths, gold and silver projects such as its Desert Star and Desert Star North assets in North America.
Desert Star is located in a prospective rare earths corridor in California’s Mojave Desert, while Desert Star North is a gold asset sitting 3 kilometres from Dateline Resources’ (ASX:DTR,OTC Pink:DTREF) Colosseum gold mine.
On Tuesday (August 12), Bayan announced a trading halt pending the release of an announcement.
The following day, the company provided an update to its North American portfolio, including Desert Star and Desert Star North. Sixty-five rock chip samples and 30 heavy minerals samples for Desert Star have been tested and are awaiting results this month, while Desert Star North is expecting multi-element analysis results by September.
Trading recommenced on Thursday, with Bayan shares rising as high as AU$0.16 that day.
2. Lindian Resources (ASX:LIN)
Weekly gain: 80 percent
Market cap: AU$254.44 million
Share price: AU$0.225
Lindian Resources is an Australian rare earths explorer and developer. Its flagship project is the Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi, which it regards as one of the world’s highest-grade undeveloped deposits.
On Monday, Lindian said that its mining licence expansion application in Malawi's Balawa District has been approved by the country's Mining and Minerals Regulatory Authority. The expansion increases the licence area from 900 hectares to 2,500 hectares, allowing the company to speed up a Stage 2 expansion at Kangankunde.
Shares of the company were the highest this week on Thursday, closing at AU$0.225.
3. Energy Transition Minerals (ASX:ETM)
Weekly gain: 72.73 percent
Market cap: AU$139.58 million
Share price: AU$0.095
Energy Transition Minerals is an explorer and developer focused on critical minerals. Its flagship asset is the Kvanefjeld rare earths project in Southern Greenland, a multi-element deposit containing rare earths, zinc and uranium.
The company has delineated a JORC-compliant resource of over 1 billion tonnes across three zones at Kvanefjeld.
Energy Transition Minerals said on Tuesday that it has won an auction to acquire the Spain-based Penouta tin-tantalum-niobium mine and processing facility. Its successful bid was for AU$9.2 million.
In addition, Energy Transition Minerals announced a placement for AU$10 million. It is with existing shareholder OCJ Investment and will support the acquisition and the firm's balance sheet. OCJ will own approximately 15.5 percent of the company following settlement of the placement, and will have voting power of approximately 17 percent.
OCJ nominee Amy Jiang has been appointed non-executive director of the company following the investment.
Shares of the company peaked at AU$0.10 on Friday.
4. Dateline Resources (ASX:DTR)
Weekly gain: 52 percent
Market cap: AU$527.87 million
Share price: AU$0.19
Dateline Resources is focused on gold and rare earths projects in the US. Its efforts are currently geared toward the advancement of its flagship Colosseum gold and rare earths project in San Bernardino County, California. It sits 10 kilometres from MP Materials’ (NYSE:MP) Mountain Pass mine, the only operating rare earths mine in the US.
In June, the Trump administration announced that it would fast track the development of Colosseum as part of its push to boost domestic critical minerals supply. On Monday, Dateline published magnetotelluric survey results from Colosseum, confirming multiple high-priority drilling targets with significant rare earths potential.
Dateline’s shares saw a significant jump on Thursday, rising from a Wednesday (August 13) close of AU$0.15 to AU$0.175. The company addressed the increase in an ASX response published on Friday, saying that its ASX disclosures are up to date, with no new information received since the announcement on Monday.
5. Eclipse Metals (ASX:EPM)
Weekly gain: 50 percent
Market cap: AU$83.98 million
Share price: AU$0.033
Eclipse Metals is an exploration company focused on unlocking the potential of rare earths mineralisation in Greenland. Its flagship asset is the Ivigtût project in the southwest of Greenland.
According to Eclipse Metals’ website, Ivigtût holds the world’s largest and only known source of naturally occurring cryolite, a rare mineral historically used in aluminum production.
Situated less than 10 kilometres from Ivigtût is the company’s Grønnedal rare earths deposit, which currently holds a resource estimate of 89.2 million tonnes at 6,363 parts per million total rare earths oxide.
The last updates from Eclipse include a quarterly report on July 31 and an investor presentation on July 21. Shares of the company started climbing on August 8, closing at AU$0.033 on Friday, the highest level over the past two weeks.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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