Critica Limited has marked a significant milestone in its Jupiter rare earths project, commissioning a pilot plant and producing its first high-grade mixed rare earth oxide product, underscoring its path from resource to revenue.
- Beneficiation process upgrades rare earth concentrate grade 6–10 times
- 3,000 kg closed-circuit pilot plant commissioned in Hanoi
- First high-grade mixed rare earth oxide product (84% TREO) produced
- Jupiter Project confirmed as Australia’s largest clay-hosted rare earth resource
- New CEO Jacob Deysel driving execution and investor engagement
Breakthrough in Beneficiation and Processing
Critica Limited has reported a breakthrough in its beneficiation-first process for rare earth elements (REE), successfully removing approximately 95% of waste material and boosting the rare earth grade by 6 to 10 times. This achievement results in a concentrate grading between 1.2% and 2.0% total rare earth oxides (TREO), a key differentiator that sets Critica apart from its peers in the rare earth sector.
The company’s approach focuses on upgrading the ore before leaching, which simplifies downstream processing, reduces reagent and water consumption, and minimizes environmental impact. This beneficiation-first strategy also supports a smaller processing footprint, aligning with Critica’s strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) credentials, particularly its very low uranium and thorium levels.
Pilot Plant Commissioning and Product Validation
During the September quarter, Critica commissioned a 3,000 kg closed-circuit pilot plant at GAVAQ in Hanoi, designed to test the beneficiation process at scale using run-of-mine material. This pilot aims to validate bench-scale results under continuous operation, generating critical data on recoveries, concentrate grades, impurity profiles, and reagent consumption. The pilot outputs will feed into further hydrometallurgical testwork and engineering studies.
Post-quarter, Critica announced a major milestone – the production of its first high-grade mixed rare earth oxide product (MREP) with 84% TREO and 78% recovery. This product validates the full processing pathway and materially de-risks the project’s development, paving the way for customer qualification and offtake discussions.
Jupiter Project’s Scale and Strategic Importance
The Jupiter Project remains Australia’s largest clay-hosted rare earth resource, boasting an inferred resource of 1.8 billion tonnes at approximately 1,700 ppm TREO, including a high-grade core of 640 million tonnes at 490 ppm magnet rare earth oxides (MREO). The resource is notably rich in magnet rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium, which are critical for electric vehicles, renewable energy technologies, and defense applications.
Located in Western Australia, a Tier-1 jurisdiction with established infrastructure, Jupiter’s scale and mineralogy position Critica to supply strategically important materials aligned with Western supply chain requirements. The project’s low levels of radioactive elements and beneficiation-first approach further enhance its ESG profile and development prospects.
Leadership and Financial Position
Newly appointed CEO Jacob Deysel brings over 25 years of global mining leadership and is focused on accelerating execution, embedding disciplined governance, and advancing customer and offtake engagement. Under his leadership, Critica is progressing toward scoping studies and pre-feasibility planning scheduled for 2026.
Financially, Critica ended the quarter with A$2.7 million in cash and has lodged a A$1 million research and development refund claim post-quarter, supporting its ongoing exploration and development activities. The company continues to manage its cash flow prudently while advancing its pilot plant and metallurgical programs.
Exploration and Growth Optionality
Alongside development work at Jupiter, Critica is advancing exploration at its Brothers Project and satellite targets such as Aurora and Juno. Preparations for future drilling and permitting are underway to preserve growth optionality and expand the company’s resource base within Western Australia.
Critica’s integrated approach; from beneficiation breakthroughs to pilot plant commissioning and product validation; positions it well to transition from resource definition to revenue generation in a market hungry for critical magnet rare earths.
Bottom Line?
Critica’s pilot plant results and upcoming scoping study will be pivotal in confirming its rare earths project’s commercial viability and strategic value.
Questions in the middle?
- How will pilot plant performance data influence the timeline for commercial production?
- What are the prospects and timelines for securing offtake agreements with downstream partners?
- How will Critica’s beneficiation-first approach impact capital and operating costs compared to peers?