AR3 awarded $5M Federal Government grant for Koppamurra
6 December 2024
AR3 awarded $5M Federal Government
grant for Koppamurra Project
Highlights:
•
$5M Government Grant: AR3 has secured a $5M grant from the Australian Federal
Government's International Partnerships in Critical Minerals Program
•
Koppamurra Project Advancement: This is a substantial step forward for Koppamurra,
with the grant supporting additional metallurgical testwork, completion of a Pre-Feasibility
Study (PFS) and building / operating a demonstration plant
•
Strategic Partnership with NEO: AR3’s grant application was supported by AR3
shareholder and global advanced industrial materials manufacturer, Neo Performance
Materials Inc (Neo) which has 30+ years of international rare earth magnetics experience;
AR3 has previously entered into non-binding MOU for offtake with Neo1
•
Critical Minerals Focus: This grant funding validates the potential of the Koppamurra
Project as a future source of rare earths, helping to create new and diversified supply chains
vital to the world’s clean energy transition
•
Engage with this announcement at the AR3 investor hub.
Australian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: AR3) is delighted to announce it has been awarded $5
million under the Australian Federal Government's International Partnerships in Critical Minerals
(IPCM) Program2. This grant significantly validates the potential of the Koppamurra Rare Earths
Project and its strategic importance in building diverse, resilient and sustainable supply chains
through strong and secure international partnerships.
The funding will support additional metallurgical testwork, completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study
(PFS), and the construction and operation of a Demonstration Plant to advance the project and
significantly derisk the development pathway. AR3 will match the grant funding, bringing the total
planned expenditure to $10M spread over 2025 and 2026.
AR3 will continue working closely with Neo, which continues to provide important technical
support to the development of the Koppamurra project to further diversify its supply chain for its
European midstream rare earth separation facility. Neo is expanding its European footprint with
the addition of a sintered magnet facility near its midstream facility, positioning it as the leading
vertically integrated magnet supplier in Europe.
The IPCM funding aligns with AR3’s strategic focus on developing a portfolio of energy transition
metals projects, and this award recognises Koppamurra’ s potential as a near term source of
strategically important rare earths to the international critical mineral supply chain.
Key deliverables that the funding will enable:
1. Metallurgical Testwork and Flowsheet Development: Laboratory scale metallurgical
minerals processing test work to optimise and enhance the Project’s process flowsheet.
Heap leach engineering deliverables and equipment selection.
2. Pre-Feasibility (PFS) Study: Evaluation of the progressive heap leach and rapid
rehabilitation flowsheet from the mine through to a Mixed Rare Earth product including
social, environmental and economic assessments.
3. Demonstration Plant Construction: Demonstration scale equipment selection and
optimisation, together with the construction of process infrastructure, based on design
inputs from the flowsheet development and PFS.
4. Demonstration Plant Operation: Full-scale demonstration operation to validate process
design, supporting the pathway to commercialisation.
AR3 will now work to finalise the Grant Agreement with the Department of Industry, Science and
Resources and provide details of the material terms in due course.
AR3 Managing Director and CEO, Travis Beinke, said:
“The Australian Government’s IPCM grant is a significant milestone for AR3 and is further
endorsement of Koppamurra’s strategic importance in creating a diverse rare earths sector. The
grant will advance project development, attract investment, and build our global strategic
partnerships.
We are very grateful to the Australian Federal Government for its support.”
The announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Australian Rare Earths Limited.
For further information please contact:
Australian Rare Earths Limited
Travis Beinke
Managing Director and CEO
T: 1 300 646 100
Media Enquiries
Jessica Fertig
Tau Media
E: info@taumedia.com.au
Engage and Contribute at the AR3 investor hub: https://investorhub.ar3.com.au/
About Australian Rare Earths Limited
Australian Rare Earths is committed to the timely exploration and development of its 100% owned, flagship Koppamurra
Project, located in the new Koppamurra rare earths Province in southeastern South Australia and western Victoria.
Koppamurra is a prospective ionic clay hosted rare earth deposit, rich in all the elements required in the manufacture of rare
earth permanent magnets which are essential components in electric vehicles, wind turbines and domestic appliances. In
addition, AR3 is actively reviewing other potential prospective areas which may also host uranium and ionic clay hosted rare
earth deposits throughout Australia.
The Company is focused on executing a growth strategy that aims to position AR3 as an independent and sustainable source
of energy transition metals, playing a pivotal role in the global transition to a green economy.
See AR3 ASX announcement dated 17 October 2022 “AR3 signs MOU for offtake and technical collaboration with
global rare earths processor
1
2 See International Partnerships in Critical Minerals | business.gov.au
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