Australian Rare Earths (ASX: AR3) has produced Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide (MREOH) for the first time at pilot scale, moving its Koppamurra pilot plant beyond heap leaching and into downstream processing. The first heap leach column cycle processed around 8 tonnes of ore and generated roughly 5,000L of Pregnant Leach Solution at target recovery rates, which has now been successfully processed through the MREOH precipitation circuit with full recoveries in line with expectations. MD and CEO Travis Beinke said the milestone validates the first downstream processing stage needed to convert Koppamurra's rare earth bearing liquors into a saleable product, generating engineering data that will feed into DFS design and produce material for refining into MREO samples for customer engagement.

MREOH is an intermediate product, not the final saleable output. It must be further refined into Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (MREO) before being shared with prospective offtake partners for customer qualification, the next major step in the process. The pilot program remains on schedule to run to December 2026, with further MREOH precipitation campaigns planned targeting around 28kL of Pregnant Leach Solution. AR3's broader portfolio includes the Koppamurra project, which has a completed Pre-Feasibility Study, a maiden Ore Reserve and a $5 million Australian Government grant, alongside the roughly 8,000km² Overland Uranium Project in South Australia.

Read the full article here: https://discoveryalert.com/asx-stock-news/mining/ar3-australian-rare-earths-koppamurra-pilot-plant-mreoh-september-2026/