Australian Rare Earths Hits 60% Rare Earth Recovery, Expands Uranium Project by 2,000 km²

Koppamurra Rare Earths Project Breakthrough

Australian Rare Earths Limited (AR3) has delivered a significant milestone at its Koppamurra Rare Earths Project with a bulk heap leach trial processing approximately three tonnes of ore. The trial achieved magnet rare earth element recoveries exceeding 60%, validating the scalability of their progressive heap leach approach. Notably, the leach times were substantially shorter than traditional methods, underscoring the potential for a rapid, cost-effective extraction process.

This advancement is critical as it supports AR3's vision of developing a low-cost, environmentally responsible rare earth operation. The company is now focusing on optimising reagent use, water recycling, and impurity removal to further enhance recovery rates and operational efficiency. Collaborations with leading institutions like the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO) and Neo Performance Materials are central to refining the process flowsheet and advancing towards pre-feasibility studies.

Exploration Momentum at Overland Uranium Project

Meanwhile, exploration at the Overland Uranium Project in South Australia has uncovered promising uranium mineralisation consistent with roll front deposits. The identification of strong gamma signatures in oxidised sand formations provides immediate targets for follow-up drilling. The project area has expanded by approximately 2,000 square kilometres to a total of around 7,000 square kilometres, enhancing the scope for discovering sedimentary-hosted uranium as well as copper and gold mineralisation in basement rocks.

The Delamerian region, where Overland is located, is gaining recognition as a highly prospective but under-explored terrain for multiple mineralisation styles, including porphyry and orogenic gold systems. AR3’s strategic review of historical data combined with new drilling results has identified 24 structural targets for copper-gold exploration, leveraging ongoing uranium drilling programs to assess these basement prospects concurrently.

Financial Strength and Strategic Positioning

Financially, AR3 strengthened its position with a $3.6 million capital raise through a non-renounceable rights issue, which saw a 93% uptake from existing shareholders, reflecting strong investor confidence. The company ended the quarter with $5.1 million in cash and anticipates an additional $4.25 million in government grant funding contingent on meeting project milestones.

Significantly, AR3 secured registrations with the U.S. Government’s System for Award Management and membership in the Defense Industrial Base Consortium. These approvals enable the company to engage directly with U.S. federal agencies for strategic procurement, funding, and partnerships, positioning AR3 to benefit from the growing geopolitical emphasis on securing diversified rare earth supply chains.

Looking Ahead

With ongoing metallurgical optimisation, expanded exploration programs, and strategic government engagement, AR3 is advancing on multiple fronts. The company’s dual focus on near-term uranium discovery and longer-term rare earth development aligns well with global demand trends for critical minerals essential to clean energy technologies and national security.