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Highlights
Critica (ASX:CRI) dispatches Jupiter deposit sample to Vietnam’s CSTME for further beneficiation and leach testing
Second bulk sample planned for submission to WA School of Mines under Curtin University’s Trailblazer program
Rare earth focus intensifies as heavy REE zones align with China’s recent export restrictions
Rare earth element exploration in Australia continues to evolve, with Critica (ASX:CRI) delivering new progress at its flagship Jupiter deposit. The company operates within the resources sector and contributes to the broader ASX 200, with its project located at the core of the Brothers REE Project. Recent developments position Critica at the centre of attention in a sector that remains sensitive to global trade movements and critical mineral strategies.
Bulk Sample Sent to CSTME for Processing
Critica has transported a substantial sample from its Jupiter deposit to the Centre of Science and Technology of Minerals and Environment in Vietnam. This move follows earlier beneficiation processes that significantly enhanced rare earth element grades. The Vietnam-based research centre will now undertake detailed refinement work and initiate leach testing to evaluate processing outcomes.
This initiative marks a step forward in the company's mineral testing roadmap. The Jupiter deposit's composition of heavy rare earth elements aligns with current market shifts, especially in light of recent regulatory changes affecting international rare earth flows.
Collaboration with Curtin University Continues
Ongoing support from Curtin University through the Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer program enables Critica to advance parallel testing efforts. A second sample is scheduled for delivery to the Western Australia School of Mines, aiming to generate additional refined material.
These test programs form part of a broader scientific and technical assessment framework. Focus remains on extracting and evaluating clay-hosted heavy rare earths, which are a key characteristic of the Jupiter deposit. Efforts to refine processing routes reflect increasing sector interest in developing robust downstream capabilities.
Jupiter’s Resource Base and Beneficiation Outcomes
Critica has emphasised that Jupiter contains one of the largest and most enriched deposits of its kind in the country. The company continues to examine key zones known for high concentrations of heavy rare earths. Through initial testing, a notable iron byproduct was recovered via wet low intensity magnetic separation.
This development introduces an additional dimension to the project’s outcomes, as further testwork refines beneficiation pathways. The company is assessing how various byproducts may integrate into broader processing strategies while maintaining focus on rare earth extraction quality.
Global Trade Environment Reinforces Strategic Testing
The dispatch of samples comes as global rare earth dynamics experience new pressures. Recent trade policy actions, including rare earth export controls announced by China, have heightened focus on heavy rare earth supply. The newly announced restrictions impact several rare earth elements that are present within the Jupiter deposit.
Against this backdrop, Critica’s efforts to develop its large-scale clay-hosted resource gain relevance. Updates on future metallurgical testwork from the Jupiter site are anticipated, with further exploration also underway across satellite zones within the province-scale Brothers REE Project.
