Equinox Reports Extractable Alumina Up to 42.1% and Gallium at 106.5 g/t in Brazil

Refinery-Grade Bauxite Confirmed

Equinox Resources Limited (ASX – EQN) has announced compelling assay results from its Campo Grande Project in Bahia, Brazil, confirming the presence of refinery-grade bauxite. Laboratory testwork conducted by SGS Geosol demonstrates extractable alumina levels reaching 42.1%, alongside low reactive silica content, which is critical for efficient alumina refining using the Bayer process. These findings indicate that the bauxite is well-suited for low-temperature processing, a standard in the alumina industry that optimizes yield and reduces soda consumption.

Strategic Gallium By-Product Potential

Beyond alumina, the project also hosts significant gallium concentrations, with assays showing up to 106.5 grams per tonne of Ga₂O₃. Gallium, a critical metal used in semiconductors and advanced electronics, can be recovered as a by-product during Bayer refining, adding a valuable revenue stream and enhancing the project's strategic importance amid global supply constraints. This dual commodity exposure positions Campo Grande as a notable asset in the evolving critical minerals landscape.

Favourable Geology and Regional Context

The mineralisation occurs within lateritic weathering profiles over Precambrian basement rocks, typical of high-quality bauxite deposits. The project lies along the Rio Negro Trend, a recognized critical minerals province that includes Brazilian Rare Earths Limited’s nearby Amargosa and Pelé Projects. Equinox’s 100% ownership and absence of royalties further enhance the project's attractiveness. Its proximity to major infrastructure such as the West-East Integration Railway corridor, highways, power, and ports supports scalable logistics and export potential.

Robust Assay and Exploration Methodology

Samples were collected through reverse circulation drilling and subjected to rigorous alkaline digestion simulating Bayer process conditions. The use of ICP-OES analysis by SGS Geosol, an ISO-accredited laboratory, ensures high confidence in the extractable alumina and reactive silica measurements. Quality control protocols, including certified reference materials and duplicates, underpin the reliability of the data. While external audits are pending, internal verification and twinned holes provide further assurance.

Outlook and Next Steps

Equinox plans to advance the project with further drilling, metallurgical testing, and mineralogical characterisation to delineate resource extents and optimise processing parameters. Given the rising global demand for secure alumina feedstock and critical metals like gallium, Campo Grande’s development could contribute meaningfully to supply diversification. The company’s Managing Director, Zac Komur, highlighted the project’s alignment with critical minerals trends and its strategic timing amid shifting market dynamics.