Australian Rare Earths has moved the Koppamurra rare earths pilot program into downstream product recovery after producing mixed rare earth hydroxide at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation's critical minerals facility in Sydney.
The 10 September 2026 update covers ore from the Koppamurra Rare Earths Project, which extends across south-east South Australia and western Victoria. The milestone follows commissioning of the pilot agglomeration and heap-leach circuits in August.
First pilot solution processed
The first of four heap-leach column cycles processed about eight tonnes of ore and generated approximately 5,000 litres of pregnant leach solution at the targeted rare earth recovery rates. Australian Rare Earths said the first batch was then treated through a continuous three-stage precipitation circuit, with full recovery of rare earths from solution into mixed rare earth hydroxide in line with expectations.
The downstream circuit includes precipitation reactors, thickening, filtration and washing. Operating the equipment continuously is intended to test reagent consumption, residence times, solid-liquid separation, water balance, product quality and impurity deportment.
Engineering data for the next study phase
Further heap-leach and precipitation campaigns are planned through December 2026, targeting about 28 kilolitres of pregnant leach solution in total. The hydroxide intermediate will be refined into mixed rare earth oxide samples for prospective customers.
The program is also expected to provide engineering and operating data for the project's definitive feasibility study and commercial equipment selection. Continued pilot operation therefore adds practical processing information to the existing Koppamurra pre-feasibility work and ore reserve, while the project remains subject to further studies, approvals and development decisions.
Source: Australian Rare Earths Limited, “Koppamurra Pilot Plant Advances to Mixed Rare Earth Hydroxide Production”, 10 September 2026.