Critical Metals reports 40% improvement in rare earth concentrate grade

Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ: CRML) announced that recent metallurgical testing achieved a 2.96% total rare earth oxide and heavy rare earth oxide refined concentrate, representing approximately 40% improvement over historical 2016 results of 2.1%.

The testing was conducted at Fremantle Metallurgy laboratories in Perth, Western Australia, under review by independent consultant Professor Tony Tang. The work replicated and improved upon historical test results from AMTEC/ALS completed in 2016 using duplicate ore samples from the company's Tanbreez project in Greenland.

The improved results were achieved through modifications to the magnetic separation flowsheet, utilizing higher-gauss magnetic separation equipment operating at 10,000-12,000 gauss. The process achieved recovery rates exceeding 85% and recovered all eight significant rare earth elements, including heavy rare earth elements.

The enhanced flowsheet enabled a third-stage magnetic separation to reject low-value magnetic material, resulting in recovery of higher-grade eudialyte concentrate. Independent laboratory assay confirmation was provided by Nagrom Metallurgical in Perth.

Tony Sage, chairman of Critical Metals, stated that the current flowsheet announced in the previously released preliminary economic assessment is now obsolete. The company plans to issue a replacement preliminary economic assessment approximately three months before releasing a revised definitive feasibility study.

Critical Metals plans to transition from laboratory-scale testing to pilot plant operations scheduled to commence in May 2026. The program will include production of a simulated 1:100 pilot-scale concentrate. A 150-tonne bulk sample is planned for June 2026.

The company indicated that offtake partners will each receive a minimum of 10 tonnes of high-grade pre-production eudialyte concentrate for refining development. Critical Metals has offtake partners in the European Union, Saudi Arabia, and the United States.

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