Critica Ltd (ASX:CRI, OTC:VTMLF) has reported results from a second high-grade mixed rare earth product (MREP) produced from a different metallurgical domain at the Jupiter Project.
The new Mixed Rare Earth Oxide (MREO) again demonstrates substantial and repeatable upgrades of magnet rare earths (neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium) and strategic heavy rare earth yttrium (Y₂O₃) through Critica’s beneficiation-first flowsheet, further supporting the technical confidence and scalability of the Jupiter development pathway.
MREP Oxide Distribution (ppm and %).
MREP 1 and MREP 2 Resource to Average MREP Upgrade (ppm and %).
Strategic significance
Recent international policy and supply-chain developments underline the strategic significance of the elements upgraded through Critica’s flowsheet:
- Yttrium (Y): Used in phosphors, lasers, high-temperature alloys and advanced electronics; supply is globally dominated by China.
- Magnet rare earths (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb): Essential for electric vehicle motors, wind turbines, robotics and defence applications; China controls more than 90% of global supply.
- Gallium (Ga): Critical for gallium nitride (GaN) and gallium arsenide (GaAs) semiconductors; China controls more than 98% of global supply and has maintained export-licensing controls since 2024.
- Scandium (Sc): Important for aerospace alloys, hydrogen systems and clean-energy technologies.
These elements are central to Western supply-chain diversification agendas, including the Australia–United States Critical Minerals Framework.
Mixed Rare Earth Products (MREP)
Two independent high-grade MREOs produced
Critica has now produced two high-grade mixed rare earth products, both in oxide form, from two different metallurgical domains within the Jupiter resource. Each product was generated using the company’s beneficiation-first flowsheet followed by a standardised hydrometallurgical process route.
Both products delivered high total rare earth oxide (TREO) grades of approximately 84% and 86%, with strong, repeatable reporting of magnet rare earths (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) and yttrium (Y₂O₃).
Consistent upgrade behaviour across domains
Despite being derived from different feed domains, both MREOs consistently show:
- High and consistent concentrations of Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb and Y.
- Strong alignment with bulk-sample upgrade trends.
- Predictable mineralogical behaviour within the flowsheet.
This repeatability supports robust metallurgical performance across Jupiter’s geometallurgical variability.
Critica says the latest results reinforce Jupiter’s status as a repeatable, scalable and strategically relevant rare earths project, with the flowsheet now performing consistently across different metallurgical domains.
From a technical standpoint, the company highlights that hydrometallurgical performance is being replicated under the same conditions, confirming robustness and line-of-sight from early testwork through to pilot scale:
- The same conventional acid-bake hydrometallurgical flowsheet has been applied in both campaigns.
- Both programs were conducted at the GAVAQ laboratory.
- Each campaign has produced a consistent, high-grade mixed rare earth oxide outcome.
The company also frames the work to date as validation of a systematic upgrade pathway, progressing steadily in scale and complexity:
- Approximately 50-kilogram laboratory testwork completed in January 2025.
- Approximately 400-kilogram bulk-sample beneficiation in May 2025.
- Intermediate concentrate hydrometallurgy at GAVAQ, ANSTO and Minutech-AMML.
- First high-grade MREO produced in October 2025.
- Second high-grade MREO reported in this update.
- By-product potential under evaluation within the same flowsheet.
- Commissioning of a 3,000-kilogram closed-circuit pilot plant now underway.
Metallurgically, Critica notes that the behaviour of magnet rare earths and yttrium is proving stable and predictable, which is important for future scale-up:
- Concentrate chemistry remains stable across different domains.
- Extraction performance is consistent with prior testwork.
- Rare earth behaviour within the flowsheet is predictable, supporting geometallurgical robustness.
In a broader strategic context, the company argues that Jupiter remains aligned with Western supply-chain diversification goals:
- Neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, terbium and yttrium are central to magnets, electric vehicles, robotics, defence and advanced electronics.
- China continues to dominate downstream refining and magnet production for these elements.
- Jupiter offers scale, relatively simple processing, low uranium and thorium and a development pathway aligned with Western supply-chain priorities.
Next steps
Looking ahead, Critica plans to use the pilot plant and ongoing testwork to refine product specifications and support project studies, while advancing market and strategic engagement:
Pilot plant operations:
- Commission and operate the 3,000-kilogram closed-circuit pilot plant at GAVAQ from the fourth quarter of 2025 through the first half of 2026.
Process optimisation:
- Continue optimising extraction and precipitation conditions for magnet rare earths, yttrium, gallium and other potential by-products.
Product definition:
- Finalise mixed rare earth product specifications based on pilot and laboratory data.
Study integration:
- Integrate pilot-plant and laboratory results into the Jupiter Scoping Study scheduled for completion in the first half of 2026.
Commercial and strategic workstreams:
- Progress offtake discussions.
- Advance engagement with potential strategic and funding partners.