Axel REE Validates Low-Cost ISR Extraction at Woolrich Deposit
Axel REE has confirmed that its Woolrich deposit in Brazil is amenable to in situ recovery (ISR) using a mild magnesium sulphate solution, recovering high-grade rare earths with low impurities. This breakthrough supports the design of field-scale ISR tests planned for late 2026.
- Column leach tests recovered 560ppm soluble TREO under ISR conditions
- Magnet-rich rare earths including dysprosium and terbium mobilised
- Very low impurities maintained, favouring simple downstream processing
- ISR field exploratory test program targeted for December 2026
- Woolrich deposit hosts 128Mt at 1,013ppm TREO in inferred resources
Proof of Concept for ISR Extraction at Woolrich
Axel REE Limited (ASX:AXL) has taken a significant step toward commercialising a low-impact rare earth extraction method at its Woolrich deposit in Brazil. Column leach tests simulating in situ recovery (ISR) conditions using a mild magnesium sulphate solution at pH 4.0 recovered up to 560ppm soluble total rare earth oxides (TREO), exceeding previous diagnostic benchmarks. This result confirms that the ionic clay rare earth mineralisation at Woolrich behaves as a genuine ISR-amenable system, capable of yielding high-value rare earths with minimal environmental disturbance.
High-Value Rare Earth Basket with Minimal Impurities
The recovered rare earths include a magnet-rich basket comprising 39% magnet rare earth oxides (MREO), notably dysprosium and terbium; heavy rare earths critical for permanent magnets in clean energy technologies. Equally important, impurities such as aluminium, iron, thorium, and uranium remained at very low levels throughout testing, which bodes well for straightforward downstream processing and reduced environmental risk.
Advancing Toward Field-Scale ISR Trials
These column leach tests have provided key hydraulic, kinetic, and solution-chemistry data necessary to design Axel's upcoming ISR field exploratory test program, slated to begin in the December quarter of 2026. The tests demonstrated that reagent strength is less influential on recovery than solution throughput and ion-exchange equilibrium, suggesting future optimisation will focus on balancing recovery with reagent consumption and pregnant leach solution volumes; critical factors for commercial viability.
Resource Context and Strategic Positioning
Woolrich hosts an inferred mineral resource of 128 million tonnes at 1,013ppm TREO, forming part of the broader Caladão Project's 572Mt at 1,506ppm TREO and 439Mt at 38ppm gallium. Axel's approach leverages a low-acid, sustainable ISR method that could position the company as a first mover in commercial ISR rare earth extraction in Minas Gerais, Brazil, a region with significant strategic importance for critical minerals supply chains.
Next Steps in Metallurgical and Field Development
Axel plans to continue column leach testing to refine reagent concentrations and optimise recovery kinetics ahead of field trials. Parallel metallurgical programs targeting gallium and scandium recovery are underway, potentially unlocking additional value from the Caladão Project. The field exploratory program will test wellfield layouts and operational parameters at scale, marking a critical transition from laboratory validation to practical deployment.
Bottom Line?
Axel’s ISR validation at Woolrich lays a promising foundation, but the leap to field trials will be the true test of commercial and environmental viability.
Questions in the middle?
- How will Axel optimise reagent use to balance recovery and operational costs in field trials?
- What regulatory and environmental hurdles could impact the planned ISR field program in Minas Gerais?
- Can gallium and scandium recovery programs materially enhance the Caladão Project’s economics alongside rare earths?
