- Production of MREO and iron by-product samples mark important commercial milestone
- Follows optimisation and de-risking of Jupiter’s processing flowsheet
- Latest MREO sample grades 98.2% TREO, of which 28.4% comprises the highly valued Mag REO
- Potential iron by-product provides additional product optionality
Critica (ASX: CRI) is stepping up marketing of its Jupiter rare earth project in WA with the company producing representative samples of high-purity mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) and potential iron by-products.
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CEO, Jacob Deysel, said the production of these samples represents the culmination of a systematic program of metallurgical optimisation and flowsheet de-risking at Jupiter.
He told shareholders this work has progressively improved beneficiation recovery, increased concentrate grade and mass rejection, reduced downstream reagent consumption and demonstrated the repeatable production of high-quality rare earth products.
“The production of representative MREO and potential iron by-product 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,” Mr Deysel said.
“Importantly, this milestone is underpinned by a growing body of metallurgical work. We have improved beneficiation recoveries, materially increased concentrate grade and mass rejection, reduced acid consumption and repeatedly produced high-quality downstream rare earth products. Together, these results continue to reduce technical risk and strengthen our confidence in Jupiter’s development pathway.
“Having representative products in hand is also important from a commercial perspective. We are engaged in discussions with potential offtake and strategic counterparties and these samples provide tangible Jupiter products to support ongoing product evaluation.
“With the Jupiter and Mt Lindsay scoping studies targeted for Q3, Critica is entering an important period as we continue to advance the technical and commercial development of both projects.”
Mr Deysel added that importantly, the availability of physical product samples provides a tangible next step in the commercial validation of Jupiter’s potential product pathways, and these samples support Critica’s ongoing discussions and product evaluation with potential offtake and strategic counterparties.
Jupiter has demonstrated the production of a high-purity MREO, with the latest product achieving 98.2% TREO, of which 28.4% is Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (MagREO). The product contains strong concentrations of the key magnet rare earths neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium, together with yttrium.
Production of a further MREC sample for product evaluation is also in progress. Jupiter has previously demonstrated repeatable production of MREC at approximately 58% TREO, with the current programme focused on producing a physical sample to complement the MREO and iron concentrate products available for commercial engagement.
CRI is up 9.52% to 2.3¢ . Mkt cap $63.64M.
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