Brazilian Critical Minerals Confirms High-Grade Rare Earths in Ema Drilling

Strong Assay Results Reinforce Ema Project Potential

Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited (ASX: BCM) has released assay results from the third batch of its 2024 infill drilling program at the Ema rare earth elements (REE) project in Brazil’s Apuí region. The 76 new holes, part of a total 270-hole program, continue to demonstrate thick mineralised intercepts with excellent grades, consistent with earlier results. This reinforces the widespread nature of mineralisation across the central starter zone, covering approximately 21 square kilometres.

The mineralisation is notably concentrated within 20 metres of surface, particularly enriched in neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr) just above the fresh bedrock interface. These grades are highly favourable for the company’s planned in-situ recovery (ISR) mining approach, which aims to extract rare earths with lower capital expenditure and environmental impact compared to conventional mining.

Resource Upgrade and Project Development Milestones

With 78% of the drilling program now assayed, BCM is preparing to update its Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to convert much of the inferred resource into the indicated category. This upgrade is expected to underpin the upcoming scoping study, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2025, and support subsequent Ore Reserve calculations. The company is also advancing permeability field trials and metallurgical testing to refine the feasibility study, which is set to commence shortly.

Notably, the assays reveal a significant increase in the proportion of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) such as terbium (Tb) and dysprosium (Dy), which now constitute over 31% of the magnetic rare earth oxide (MREO) composition at the base of the weathering profile. This enrichment enhances the economic potential of the lower saprolite zone targeted for ISR extraction.

Environmental and Operational Outlook

BCM’s environmental baseline assessment is progressing on schedule for completion in the second quarter of 2025, a critical step toward securing necessary permits and ensuring sustainable project development. The company’s Managing Director, Andrew Reid, highlighted the promising outlook, emphasizing the low capital intensity of the project and multiple upcoming catalysts that could significantly enhance shareholder value.

The Ema project’s geological setting closely resembles the world’s largest ionic clay REE deposits in China and Myanmar, which have proven amenable to low-cost, rapid deployment mining methods. BCM’s use of hand-held auger drilling has allowed efficient infill sampling on 300-metre centres, improving confidence in resource continuity and grade distribution.

Looking Ahead

As BCM finalises assay processing and metallurgical testing, the company is well positioned to deliver a comprehensive scoping study and advance toward feasibility. These developments will be pivotal in defining the project’s economic viability and operational parameters, potentially establishing BCM as a key player in the global rare earths sector.