Critica's Jupiter Pilot Plant Achieves 81% MagREO Recovery, Boosting Scoping Study Confidence

Critica (ASX: CRI) has significantly boosted its Jupiter pilot plant's rare earth recovery rates, de-risking its Scoping Study progress and supporting expanded metallurgical testing.

The company achieved approximately 81% magnet rare earth oxide (MagREO) recovery and approximately 71% total rare earth oxide (TREO) recovery from representative feed material.

This marks a significant step forward, representing an approximate 45% improvement in TREO recovery from previously reported levels.

The pilot plant also delivered an intermediate concentrate with an impressive 7.5x upgrade from feed, alongside approximately 90% mass rejection.

Pilot beneficiation operations have resumed following the Lunar New Year.

Feedstock Secured for Further Testing

To facilitate ongoing work, approximately 8.5 tonnes of additional feed material has been dispatched and is en route to the Hai Phong pilot facility.

Critica anticipates a further 10-20 tonnes will be sent in the coming weeks.

This additional material is crucial for the continued production of intermediate concentrate and for advancing material qualification and offtake discussions.

Critica is currently relocating the pilot facility to a larger site, which will support increased throughput and further optimisation efforts.

Expanded Downstream Metallurgical Programs

Critica is broadening its downstream metallurgical workstreams to further refine its processing pathway.

Programs are expanding to include acid bake optimisation at ANSTO and AMML, and alternative leaching approaches at Phenikaa University.

An ongoing evaluation of heap leaching for the intermediate concentrate is also underway.

These comprehensive programs aim to further de-risk the processing pathway for Jupiter's rare earths.

Scoping Study Remains on Track

The company has reaffirmed that the Jupiter Scoping Study remains firmly on track for completion.

These improved pilot results provide critical validation for the study's metallurgical assumptions.

Critica commenced the Scoping Study earlier this year, with Sedgman appointed to lead the work, and is targeting delivery by the end of H1 CY2026.

The latest pilot plant results show a substantial improvement in rare earth recovery rates, validating the processing pathway and providing crucial data for the ongoing Scoping Study.

The company is well-positioned with feedstock secured and expanded metallurgical testing to further de-risk the Jupiter project.