Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) has commenced pilot-scale processing of its Koppamurra ore at ANSTO's critical minerals facility in Sydney, becoming the first industry partner to use the purpose-built, clay-hosted rare earth pilot plant. The facility, officially opened in May 2026 by Minister for Resources and Northern Australia the Hon. Madeleine King MP, provides AR3 with a low-cost pathway to generate the technical data required to progress Koppamurra toward a bankable feasibility study.

Commissioning was successfully completed on 31 July 2026, producing 940kg of on-specification agglomerates, seamless column loading, above-design irrigation rates with no flow degradation, and rare earth recovery in line with expectations. The Company has now moved into continuous pilot processing of approximately 30 tonnes of Koppamurra ore, targeting completion of four cycles across eight 4-metre columns to validate AR3's full processing flowsheet. Liquor from each cycle will be converted to a high-purity Mixed Rare Earth Oxide via an oxalate precipitate route, generating product specifications and samples for evaluation by prospective customers and offtake partners.

The first bulk MREO sample is expected in late September 2026, with additional samples to follow in subsequent months as the pilot continues. Heap leach operations are expected to be completed by December 2026. Managing Director and CEO Travis Beinke said the program is delivering the engineering data and product samples needed to finalise Koppamurra's process design and support a bankable, investment-ready outcome, reinforcing the Project's progress toward development as a new source of Australian-sourced rare earth supply.

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