Mining Lease Granted for Cummins Range Project, De-Risking RareX’s Development Path

Mining Lease Grant Marks Key Milestone

RareX Limited has taken a decisive step forward in the development of its flagship Cummins Range Project with the Western Australian Government granting a Mining Lease (M80/648). This approval is widely recognised as one of the most complex and time-consuming regulatory hurdles in the state, and its successful acquisition materially reduces the project’s regulatory and tenure risks.

The Mining Lease confirms RareX’s statutory right to develop a mining operation at Cummins Range, moving the project beyond the exploration phase and firmly into the development arena. This milestone signals the government’s acceptance of the project in principle, a critical endorsement for RareX as it seeks to unlock the value of its multi-critical minerals asset.

A Rare Multi-Critical Minerals Opportunity

Cummins Range is notable for its diverse suite of critical minerals, including rare earth elements, gallium, scandium, and phosphate. These commodities are increasingly vital to emerging technologies, clean energy solutions, and advanced manufacturing, positioning the project as strategically important within Australia’s critical minerals landscape.

RareX’s Managing Director James Durrant emphasised the significance of the lease grant, noting that mining approvals often represent the longest lead and highest risk component of project development. With this hurdle cleared, the company can now concentrate on optimising metallurgical processes and refining the project’s flowsheet to maximise value across its multiple mineral streams.

Pathway to Development and Beyond

While the Mining Lease provides the foundational approval, RareX still faces the usual suite of environmental and operational permits before production can commence. However, these remaining approvals are generally considered less uncertain, focusing on how the project will be developed rather than whether it can proceed.

This regulatory clarity opens the door for detailed mine planning, securing financing, and exploring potential strategic partnerships. The company’s prior financial modelling, which indicated a post-tax net present value exceeding $330 million, remains a key reference point, though updated studies will be closely watched by investors.

RareX’s broader portfolio, including projects like Mt Mansbridge and Khaleesi, complements Cummins Range’s development, but the focus will now sharpen on advancing this mining lease-approved asset towards production readiness.