Viridis Mining and Minerals Acquires Site for Brazilian Rare Earths Processing Centre

Viridis Mining and Minerals (ASX: VMM) has achieved a key milestone in its development of the Colossus project with the acquisition of strategic site for a rare earth research and processing centre (CPTR) in southeast Brazil.

The company has also wrapped up key engineering, construction, and equipment contracts for the centre at an industrial park in the city of Poços de Caldas.

The CPTR will feature a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) demonstration plant that Viridis is developing as a key component in advancing its rare earth processing capabilities and accelerating the transition toward commercial production of rare earth materials.

MREC Demonstration Plant

Viridis will set up the CPTR nearby to its Colossus rare earth resource and the company’s Viridion Centre for Rare Earths Innovation, Technology, and Recycling.

The CPTR will host a fully integrated demonstration plant to replicate the MREC production process from Virdis’ ionic adsorption clay resource.

Managing director Rafael Moreno said that the selection of the site put the company on track to commission the demonstration plant by the end of Q1 2026, providing essential validation data for the definitive feasibility study it recently commenced with Hatch.

Along with key equipment suppliers and potential offtake partners, the two have already completed extensive engineering and design work to optimise plant design and throughput parameters.

Deliberate Strategy in Place

Mr Moreno said that the strategic site would feature ample space for the MREC demonstration plant and flexibility for future expansion, enabling rapid development and reduced construction costs.

“Our decision to build a larger-scale demonstration plant, rather than a pilot, is a deliberate strategy to de-risk future scale-up and ensure commercial readiness,” he said.

“We’ve taken a disciplined approach to technology and equipment selection, giving our stakeholders confidence in Colossus’ technical capability and ability to deliver specification-compliant MREC in line with our commercial and environmental commitments.”

Western-Aligned Project

The company’s strategic decision to exclude Chinese design and equipment selection in both the CPTR and future commercial facility has seen Colossus emerge as a strategically important Western-aligned rare earth project.

“It’s high-grade magnetic rare earth oxide profile, scalable resource base, and low-cost flowsheet position it to generate robust returns through all market cycles without reliance on artificial and unsustainable floor prices,” Mr Moreno said.

Viridis is currently executing a multi-pronged financing strategy, targeting strategic investors, government support, and project-level capital from partners, with positive feedback from its early-stage engagement.