The 1‑tonne‑scale mixed rare‑earth oxide (MREO) sample contains 28.4% magnet‑grade rare‑earth oxides, including neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium and terbium – the key elements used in high‑strength permanent magnets for electric vehicles and wind turbines.
Alongside the MREO, Critica produced a high‑grade iron concentrate that tests at 64.1% iron, offering a potential secondary revenue stream from the same processing flowsheet.
The samples are the result of a year‑long metallurgical optimisation programme that achieved an 81% recovery of magnet rare‑earths, a 14‑fold increase in concentrate grade to roughly 3% total rare‑earth oxides (TREO), and a 95% mass rejection rate that reduces the volume of ore needing downstream processing.
The company also reported a near‑30% cut in sulphuric acid consumption, a cost saving that could improve the economics of the hydrometallurgical circuit.
"We have now reached the point where that work is translating into physical products that can support the next phase of commercial engagement," said Jacob Deysel, Critica’s chief executive officer.
Critica plans to present the MREO and iron concentrate to strategic partners as it initiates off‑take discussions, while a mixed rare‑earth carbonate (MREC) sample is being prepared to broaden the product suite for potential customers.
The Jupiter deposit is touted as Australia’s largest clay‑hosted rare‑earth resource, holding significant volumes of magnet rare‑earths, gallium and yttrium, and is positioned to meet rising demand from electrification, robotics and artificial‑intelligence sectors.
Financially, the company says it ended the last quarter with A$5.3 million in cash after selling its legacy Riley iron‑ore mine, and it expects scoping studies for both Jupiter and its Mt Lindsay tin‑tungsten project in Tasmania to be released within a month, which will provide the first glimpse of project economics.
If the upcoming studies confirm the technical successes, Jupiter could transition from a technical proof‑of‑concept to one of the world’s most valuable clay‑hosted rare‑earth projects.