Ema Project Yields 98% Pure Rare Earth Carbonate with 55.3% TREO Content

Breakthrough in Rare Earth Processing

Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ASX: BCM) has announced significant progress in its Ema ionic clay rare earth project in Brazil, delivering a high-value mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) product with industry-leading purity and recovery rates. Test work conducted by ANSTO produced an MREC containing 55.3% total rare earth oxides (TREO) and a remarkable 98% purity with only ~2% impurities, achieved through an innovative magnesium-based reagent process that eliminates the need for ammonium sulfate.

This environmentally friendly approach not only enhances the product quality but also positions BCM competitively against Brazilian peers, as the high proportion of magnet rare earth elements (MREEs), comprising 38% of the final rare earth oxide basket, drives a robust basket price potential despite lower head grades.

Drilling Confirms Robust Mineralisation

During the December 2024 quarter, BCM completed assays from 127 drill holes, revealing thick mineralised intercepts with NdPr grades concentrated near the fresh bedrock interface. The mineralisation extends over a 21 square kilometre starter area within the broader 977 million tonne mineral resource estimate, with magnet rare earth oxides increasing towards the saprock zone, ideal for in-situ recovery (ISR) mining methods.

Notably, heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) constitute over 31% of the magnet rare earth composition at depth, underscoring the economic potential of the deposit. These results underpin the ongoing scoping study, which remains on track for release in the March 2025 quarter.

Logistics and Environmental Progress

BCM has identified a viable logistics route involving trucking ore 130 kilometres from the Ema project to Prainha port, followed by barge transport to the Port of Chibatão, one of Latin America’s largest private ports capable of handling Panamax vessels. This route supports efficient bulk transport aligned with project scale and timelines.

Environmental baseline assessments are progressing as planned, focusing on potential impacts from construction and operation, including evaporation pond management and habitat restoration. BCM is engaging local stakeholders to ensure transparency and mitigate social and environmental risks ahead of the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) submission.

Advancing Towards Feasibility and Production

Preparations for ISR permeability field trials are underway, with wells drilled, cased, and ready for injection testing. These trials will validate hydraulic flow models critical for mine planning and feasibility study completion targeted for late 2025. BCM has engaged WSP Adelaide and WSP Brazil to oversee this specialized testing, leveraging their expertise in subsurface fluid flow and ISR mining.

Corporate developments include the appointment of Ben Donovan as a Non-Executive Director, bringing extensive governance and ASX compliance experience, and the launch of an Investor Hub to enhance shareholder engagement and transparency during this pivotal growth phase.

With cash reserves of A$1.68 million as of December 31, 2024, BCM is well positioned to advance its scoping study and subsequent feasibility work, setting the stage for potential low-cost, high-value rare earth production from a strategically located Brazilian asset.