Test work produces high purity Mixed Rare Earth Oxide

High-purity Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (MREO) pathway established: Metallurgical testwork has demonstrated a viable process to produce a high-purity MREO, using conventional low-risk technology.

Exceptional oxalate precipitation performance: Mixed rare earth oxalate precipitation achieved 99.9% rare earth recovery from solution while rejecting most impurities.

Strategically attractive and high-value rare earth assemblage: The oxalate product contains a high proportion of magnet rare earth elements, together with significant quantities of yttrium, gadolinium, samarium and lutetium — elements subject to China’s expanded export controls and tightening global supply conditions.

Robust processing approach: The oxalic acid precipitation route to MREO provides a simpler downstream purification pathway than the mixed rare earth carbonate flowsheets being pursued by most western ionic clay projects.

High-quality MREO product: On calcination, the initial, non-optimised oxalate product is projected to yield a MREO grading of 98.6% pure REO + yttrium oxide (Y₂O₃) by weight, positioning the Koppamurra product favourably for downstream separation and marketing.

Optimisation program underway: As part of the pilot plant preparation, a comprehensive metallurgical optimisation program is underway with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) to further refine the oxalate pathway, with outcomes to inform the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS).