Brazilian Critical Minerals Extends High-Grade Rare Earth Zones at Ema Project

Final Drilling Assays Confirm Robust Mineralisation

Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited (ASX: BCM) has announced the assay results for the fourth and final batch of its 2024 infill drilling program at the Ema rare earth elements (REE) project in Brazil’s Apui region. The 32 new holes, part of a total 244 completed out of 270 planned, continue to demonstrate thick mineralised intervals with excellent grades, particularly of neodymium (Nd) and praseodymium (Pr), two of the most valuable rare earths.

Highlights include intercepts such as 9 meters at 1,065 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) starting from just 12 meters depth, and other intervals exceeding 800 ppm TREO. These results align closely with previous drilling, confirming the consistency and continuity of the mineralisation near surface, which is ideal for cost-effective extraction.

Resource Update and Strategic Implications

The assay data will feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) focused on the central starter zone covering approximately 21 square kilometers. This area represents about 24% of the previously announced indicated and inferred resource of 977 million tonnes. The company expects the updated MRE to significantly expand the indicated resource category, enhancing confidence in the project’s scale and longevity.

Managing Director Andrew Reid emphasised the strategic importance of these results, noting that the expanded drilling coverage supports a minimum 20-year mine life at Ema. He highlighted the shallow depth of the highest-grade zones directly above basement felsic volcanics, which are favourable for in-situ recovery (ISR) extraction methods. This approach mirrors successful operations in China’s ionic clay deposits, positioning Ema as a unique and potentially low-cost rare earth source outside Asia.

Progressing Towards Scoping Study and Field Trials

With the MRE update nearing completion, BCM is advancing its scoping study, scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2025. The study will incorporate the latest drilling results and provide a comprehensive economic analysis. Concurrently, permeability field trials are set to commence, a critical step in validating ISR extraction feasibility.

The company is also undertaking additional metallurgical testing, including magnesium sulphate leach trials, and geophysical surveys to better define the saprolite/fresh rock boundary and structural controls. These efforts aim to refine mine planning and enhance resource delineation.

Ema Project’s Unique Position in the Rare Earths Market

The Ema project’s ionic adsorbed clay (IAC) deposit is notable for its similarity to the world’s largest ionic clay REE deposits in southwest China and Myanmar, which dominate global rare earth production. BCM’s deposit features high recoveries averaging 68% for magnetic rare earth oxides (MREO), including valuable heavy rare earth elements like terbium and dysprosium, which contribute about 10% of the NdPr levels and add significant basket value.

The use of hand-held auger drilling has allowed BCM to efficiently sample the regolith profile, although depth limitations mean some holes did not reach the full weathering profile. Nevertheless, the data collected provides a robust basis for resource estimation and future development planning.