RareX achieves record recoveries at Cummins Range and readies Khaleesi drilling
RareX Limited has hit key milestones at its Cummins Range project, achieving record metallurgical recoveries and securing a mining lease, while preparing for maiden drilling at Khaleesi. Meanwhile, its consortium with Iluka Resources has progressed to the Request for Proposal stage for the Mrima Hill project in Kenya.
- Cummins Range achieves highest rare earth and phosphate recoveries
- Mining lease granted securing long-term tenure at Cummins Range
- Khaleesi Project drill-ready with maiden RC drilling imminent
- RareX-Iluka consortium advances to Mrima Hill RFP stage
- Strong cash position with $4.08 million and $5.66 million in investments
Cummins Range Delivers Metallurgical Breakthrough and Secures Mining Lease
RareX Limited (ASX:REE) has marked a pivotal phase for its flagship Cummins Range Rare Earths Project in Western Australia. The company reported metallurgical testwork delivering the highest rare earth element (REE) and phosphate recoveries achieved to date, with a 9.5x upgrade in total rare earth oxides (TREO) grade to 25.15% and rougher recovery rates reaching 74.6%. This represents a substantial improvement over prior Australian beneficiation results for the project.
Crucially, RareX secured the Mining Lease for Cummins Range during the quarter, cementing long-term tenure and enabling progression toward commercialisation. The company has also formalised a Mining Heritage Protection Agreement with the Jaru native title holders, addressing key social licence considerations.
The metallurgical program, conducted in partnership with SGS Lakefield, Gega Elements, and Biological Inputs, not only enhanced REE and phosphate recovery but also confirmed a viable extraction pathway for gallium and strong scandium recoveries between 89–93%. These developments open the door to an integrated multi-element recovery flowsheet, potentially improving project economics significantly. RareX plans to pursue finer staged grinding to further lift concentrate grades and advance field trials for biologically derived nanophosphate extraction.
Khaleesi Project Advances to Drill-Ready Status with RC Campaign Set
Complementing its development efforts, RareX's exploration arm, RareXploration, has advanced the Khaleesi Project in Western Australia to drill-ready status. Field preparations are underway ahead of a maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program scheduled to commence in August 2026.
The drilling campaign will target five priority areas totalling 3,500 metres within the Khaleesi Alkaline Intrusive Complex, focusing on niobium, rare earth elements, gallium, and high field strength elements. Targets were selected based on multi-element geochemistry from historical drilling and geophysical surveys, highlighting carbonatite potential and notable gallium mineralisation.
Khaleesi represents the next growth phase for RareX's portfolio, leveraging extensive geophysical and geochemical data to test high-value critical mineral targets. The company has committed to providing updates as drilling progresses and assay results become available.
RareX-Iluka Consortium Advances Mrima Hill Project in Kenya to RFP Stage
In a significant strategic development, RareX and Iluka Resources' consortium has advanced to the Request for Proposal (RFP) stage of Kenya's competitive tender for the Mrima Hill Niobium, Rare Earth Elements, and Other Minerals Development Project. This follows formal notification from Kenya's Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs.
The consortium's proposal emphasises local value creation through mining and initial processing, phosphate and manganese by-products, and skills development via a partnership with Curtin University. Backed by a A$50 million Share Subscription Facility from GEM Global Yield LLC SCS, the consortium is positioned to fund its initial three-year work program, including pilot plant construction.
While advancing through the tender process is a notable milestone, RareX cautions that the grant of the prospecting licence remains subject to government discretion, and there is no guarantee of success. The company will prepare its RFP submission in line with Kenya's evaluation criteria and will keep the market informed of material developments.
Financial Position and Portfolio Management
RareX closed the quarter with cash and cash equivalents of approximately A$4.08 million and investments valued at around A$5.66 million, including holdings in Cosmos Exploration, Kincora Copper, and Canada Rare Earth Corp. The company reported operating cash outflows of A$784,000 for the quarter, primarily related to exploration and administrative costs.
RareX continues to review its portfolio to focus on projects aligned with its critical minerals strategy, considering joint ventures, sales, or spin-outs for non-core assets. Native title negotiations are ongoing at the Piper Project in the Northern Territory, with drilling planned post-agreement.
Bottom Line?
With multiple projects reaching key development milestones and a strong consortium bid underway in Kenya, RareX is positioning itself for growth; but the outcomes of drilling and tender processes will be critical to watch.
Questions in the middle?
- Will the maiden drilling at Khaleesi confirm the promising geophysical and geochemical targets?
- How will RareX and Iluka navigate the uncertainties of the Kenyan government’s prospecting licence grant?
- Can metallurgical advances at Cummins Range translate into improved project economics and attract strategic partners?
