Cummins Range Drills 60m at 99 g/t Gallium Oxide in New Assays

A Breakthrough in Gallium Discovery

RareX Limited (ASX – REE) has announced compelling new assay results from its Cummins Range carbonatite pipe in Western Australia, confirming the presence of high-grade gallium mineralisation. The re-assaying of historical and recent drill samples has revealed gallium concentrations reaching up to 206 grams per tonne of Ga2O3 over substantial widths, a figure that places Cummins Range at the forefront of Australia’s gallium projects.

These findings not only validate RareX’s earlier April discovery but also elevate Cummins Range as potentially the highest-grade and most advanced gallium deposit in the country. The gallium mineralisation is closely associated with rare earth elements, phosphate, and scandium, underscoring the deposit’s multifaceted critical mineral profile.

Strategic Importance Amid Global Supply Constraints

Gallium is a critical mineral integral to the manufacture of semiconductors, AI chips, solar panels, and other high-tech applications. The global market, currently valued at approximately US$2.45 billion in 2024, is forecasted to surge to over US$21 billion by 2034. However, supply is heavily concentrated, with China controlling an estimated 98% of global production. This near-monopoly has led to recent export restrictions and price volatility, heightening supply chain risks for Western nations.

RareX’s CEO, James Durrant, highlighted the geopolitical significance of Cummins Range, noting that the deposit’s combination of gallium with rare earths and phosphate positions it as a critical asset in diversifying supply away from China. The company is actively exploring innovative refining technologies through partnerships, such as with Gega Elements, to enable cost-effective gallium extraction.

Robust Geological and Assay Data

The re-assay program focused initially on 15 drill holes from a 58-hole infill drilling campaign conducted in 2020. These holes returned consistent, wide intervals of moderate to high-grade gallium, with some intercepts exceeding 100 g/t Ga2O3. Notably, one intercept recorded 60 meters at 99 g/t Ga2O3, including a 33-meter section at 115 g/t. These results align with historical drilling data from 2007 to 2012, which also indicated significant gallium values.

The Cummins Range deposit itself hosts a substantial resource of rare earth oxides, phosphate, and scandium, with a total resource estimate of 524 million tonnes. The gallium mineralisation occurs predominantly within the weathered saprolite zone, where weathering processes have enhanced the concentration of critical metals.

Market Outlook and Next Steps

With gallium demand expanding rapidly across semiconductors, telecommunications, defense, and renewable energy sectors, the timing of RareX’s discovery is particularly fortuitous. The company plans to continue re-assaying remaining drill samples to better define the gallium resource and is progressing mining lease applications expected in 2025.

Further metallurgical studies and refining trials will be critical to unlocking gallium as a core value stream alongside rare earths and phosphate. RareX’s strategic positioning and technical advancements could make Cummins Range a cornerstone in securing Western supply chains for this vital critical mineral.