Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited (ASX: BCM) has announced the first assay results from its 2025 infill and extensional drilling program at the Ema ionic rare earth project in Brazil’s Apuí region. The results validate and expand the known mineralisation footprint, reinforcing the potential for a long-life in-situ recovery (ISR) operation.
Key Highlights
- Elevated magnet rare earth grades (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb) regularly exceeding 200ppm, confirming premium REE composition.
- Infill drilling outside the initial starter zone identifies 4km of additional mineralisation.
- Significant intercepts (average grade >800ppm TREO) include:
- 10m @ 1,048ppm TREO from 10m (EMA-TR-417), ending in 1,443ppm TREO
- 6m @ 1,033ppm TREO from 2m (EMA-TR-418), ending in 1,089ppm TREO
- 6m @ 1,341ppm TREO from 9m (EMA-TR-430), ending in 1,299ppm TREO
- 10m @ 934ppm TREO from 3m (EMA-TR-426), ending in 1,239ppm TREO
- 7m @ 888ppm TREO from 11m (EMA-TR-444), ending in 1,790ppm TREO
- 10m @ 949ppm TREO from 12 (EMA-TR-448), ending in 1,071ppm TREO
- Mineralisation now defined across 82 km², strengthening the ISR-optimised geological model.
Andrew Reid, Managing Director of Brazilian Critical Minerals commented, “Ema continues to deliver exactly what we expect from a large-scale ionic clay REE system: continuity, predictable grades and a clean clay-hosted profile optimised for ISR. With the ISR extraction method already field tested and proven, each new batch of drilling enhances our confidence in the scale, economic potential and long-term development trajectory of the Project.
“The combination of demonstrated ISR amenability, continuous mineralisation geometry and consistent rare earth distribution firmly positions the Ema Project as a technically mature, globally competitive ionic clay REE development. The current results further strengthen the project’s transition from exploration into near-term ISR deployment and mineral resource conversion.”
A total of 24 holes (23% of the 101-hole program) have returned assays to date. Results confirm thick mineralised intercepts, with the highest NdPr grades located at the base of the weathered profile above fresh rock—ideal for ISR extraction.
Drilling was conducted on 300m centres, the same pattern used in the central starter zone that supported the inclusion of 248Mt of Indicated material in the current 943Mt Mineral Resource Estimate (ASX: BCM Feb 2025).
Results show a consistent increase in magnetic rare earth grades toward the lower saprolite zone, with heavy rare earths (Dy, Tb) comprising up to 31% of MREO composition at depth. This enrichment underscores the economic potential of deeper zones and supports BCM’s strategy to optimise ISR operations.
BCM’s current work program includes:
- Completion of assays for the infill drilling program by February 2026.
- Metallurgical testing, including magnesium sulphate leaching, to support MRE update and Ore Reserve conversion.
- Updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 2026.
- Bankable Feasibility Study in early 2026.
- Permitting and stakeholder engagement ongoing.
- Offtake discussions, with final MREC product samples to be sent to potential partners in December 2025.
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