Critica Limited has secured drilling approvals and government funding to explore high-grade heavy rare earth elements at its Aurora and Juno satellite prospects near the flagship Jupiter deposit in Western Australia.
- Drilling approvals received for Aurora and Juno satellite prospects at Brothers Project
- High levels of heavy rare earths (Dysprosium, Terbium, Yttrium) identified in initial drilling
- Exploration Incentive Scheme grant covers up to 50% of planned aircore drilling costs
- Jupiter deposit remains Australia's largest and highest-grade clay-hosted rare earth resource
- Ongoing beneficiation testwork aims to produce Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate product
Strategic Drilling Approvals Unlock Satellite Prospects
Critica Limited has announced it has received formal drilling approvals to target two promising satellite prospects, Aurora and Juno, within its 100%-owned Brothers Clay Hosted Rare Earth Project, located in the Yalgoo mining hub of Western Australia. These prospects lie in close proximity to Critica’s flagship Jupiter deposit, which is already recognised as Australia’s largest and highest-grade clay-hosted rare earth resource.
Initial discovery drilling at these satellite targets revealed exceptionally high concentrations of heavy rare earth elements (HREEs), including Dysprosium, Terbium, and Yttrium, elements now subject to stringent Chinese export controls. Assay results from the initial five satellite discoveries showed magnet rare earth oxide (MREO) to total rare earth oxide (TREO) ratios as high as 34%, with grades reaching up to 8 metres at 4,256 ppm TREO within broader clay-hosted mineralisation zones.
Government Support Bolsters Exploration Campaign
Critica plans to commence a comprehensive aircore drilling campaign targeting Aurora and Juno following the completion of a heritage survey. The Western Australian Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety has awarded Critica an Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) grant, expected to cover up to 50% of the drilling costs. This government backing underscores the strategic importance of Critica’s rare earth assets within the state’s mining sector.
Managing Director Philippa Leggat emphasised the significance of these satellite prospects: "Our aim is to add to the already-impressive rare earth endowment delineated at Jupiter, while potentially enhancing the total grade, MREO content, and heavy REE contribution. Success here would amplify the strategic value of the broader Brothers Project and provide critical optionality for future processing and development scenarios."
Jupiter Deposit Remains a Cornerstone Asset
The Jupiter deposit itself boasts an inferred resource of 1.782 billion tonnes at 1,651 ppm TREO (using a 1,000 ppm cutoff), including a high-grade component of 520 million tonnes at 2,169 ppm TREO (1,800 ppm cutoff). The deposit contains over 280,000 tonnes of heavy rare earth oxides, including substantial quantities of Dysprosium, Terbium, and Yttrium, all critical for advanced technologies and electric vehicle magnets.
Critica’s recent metallurgical testwork continues in parallel, aiming to produce an initial Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) product. Results from this beneficiation work are anticipated throughout 2025, potentially advancing the project’s commercial viability.
Navigating Market Dynamics Amid Export Controls
The timing of this drilling campaign is particularly pertinent given China’s recent export controls on heavy rare earths, which have tightened global supply chains. Critica’s ability to expand its heavy rare earth resource base in Australia positions it as a strategically important player in the rare earths market, potentially offering alternative supply sources to global consumers.
While no new mineral resource estimates are included in this announcement, the upcoming drilling results at Aurora and Juno will be critical in assessing the scale and grade of these satellite deposits and their contribution to the overall Brothers Project.
Bottom Line?
Critica’s next drilling phase at Aurora and Juno could redefine Australia’s rare earth landscape amid shifting global supply constraints.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the upcoming drilling at Aurora and Juno confirm widespread high-grade heavy rare earth mineralisation?
- How will Chinese export controls influence global demand and pricing for Critica’s rare earth products?
- What timeline and scale can investors expect for beneficiation testwork results and potential production?