OD6 Metals Achieves ~75% Rare Earth Recovery, Raises $2.5M to Accelerate Growth

Innovative Processing Breakthrough at Splinter Rock

OD6 Metals Limited has unveiled a significant milestone in its rare earths development with the selection of an innovative processing flowsheet for its Splinter Rock project in Western Australia. The new multi-stage process, developed in collaboration with ANSTO and CPC Engineering, integrates heap leaching, nanofiltration, and ion exchange technologies to achieve an impressive overall recovery of approximately 75% for neodymium and praseodymium, two of the most valuable rare earth elements used in permanent magnets.

This flowsheet not only delivers high recoveries but also produces premium quality Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) and Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide (MREH) products, boasting total rare earth oxide (TREO) concentrations of around 56% and 59%, respectively. Notably, the products exhibit exceptionally low levels of impurities such as aluminum, iron, phosphorus, and silicon, alongside negligible uranium and thorium content, which enhances their commercial appeal and payability.

Cost Efficiency and Environmental Benefits

Heap leaching has been confirmed as a lower-cost and more efficient alternative to traditional agitated tank leaching for the clay-hosted rare earth mineralisation at Splinter Rock. This approach simplifies the processing infrastructure, reduces capital expenditure, and lowers operating costs. Complementing this, the deployment of nanofiltration technology reduces acid consumption by over 80%, significantly cutting reagent costs and environmental impact.

Further cost savings are anticipated through the establishment of an onsite Chlor-Alkali Facility, which will produce key reagents such as hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide from locally sourced solar sea salt. This not only reduces expensive reagent transport but also diminishes the project’s carbon footprint.

Advancing Metallurgical Testing and Offtake Preparations

During the quarter, OD6 completed a metallurgical diamond drilling program at the Inside Centre deposit, yielding approximately 2.5 tonnes of high-quality core samples. These samples are now being sent to ANSTO for advanced scale-up testwork, including heap leach optimisation and impurity removal verification. The objective is to produce more than 1 kilogram of MREC and MREH samples for customer qualification and offtake discussions scheduled for the coming year.

OD6 is actively engaging with potential offtake partners across North America, Europe, and Asia, leveraging the premium quality and low impurity profile of its rare earth products to secure favourable commercial terms.

Exploration Momentum at Gulf Creek Copper Project

In parallel with its rare earths progress, OD6 has commenced Phase 2 drilling at its Gulf Creek Copper Project in New South Wales. This program targets previously untested prospects along more than 3 kilometres of strike, including Big Bend, North West, and West Limb. The drilling aims to delineate extensions of high-grade copper mineralisation associated with a volcanic massive sulphide system, with assay results expected by early 2026.

Financial Position and Outlook

Supporting these operational advances, OD6 successfully completed a $2.5 million placement during the quarter, bolstering its cash reserves to a healthy A$3.045 million as of 30 September 2025. Exploration expenditure for the period was A$266,000, focused on testwork and geological investigations. The company reported no borrowings, maintaining a clean balance sheet as it progresses its dual rare earth and copper projects.

Managing Director Brett Hazelden highlighted the company’s strategic momentum, noting the integration of innovative processing technologies and the recommencement of drilling activities at Gulf Creek as key drivers for value creation. He also emphasised the importance of the upcoming testwork results and offtake sample deliveries in shaping OD6’s commercial trajectory.