Brazilian Critical Minerals jumps first permeability hurdle at Ema rare earths project

• Within 72 hours, the injected solution was recorded in all downslope monitoring holes during the first ISR field trial 
• The test confirms hydraulic connectivity in the test wells within the mineralised zone
• Brazilian Critical Minerals continues to assess data as it is returned

Special Report: Brazilian Critical Minerals has recorded a significant influx of solution in the first injection trial at the Ema rare earths project, validating the effectiveness of the selected leaching method. 

The company has kicked off in-situ recovery (ISR) field trials at its Ema project in Brazil to assess groundwater flow and leaching characteristics, supporting the production of a mixed rare earth carbonate.

The trial involves installing injection and extraction holes at predetermined distances, with the time it takes for the solution to reach the extraction points used to calculate hydraulic permeability.

Within just 72 hours, all extraction holes in the initial injection trial showed a strong solution influx, confirming the effectiveness of the selected leaching method at the Ema deposit.

Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) says it will continue with solution injection as it continues to define and validate various deposit-specific characteristics of Ema. 

‘Enormous step’ 

The field trials, which started earlier this month, have been designed to provide validation that the Ema deposit possesses the characteristics necessary for a full-scale commercial ISR operation.

The work builds on prior testwork undertaken by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), which informed the February 2025 scoping study. 

The study reported a net present value (NPV) of US$355m at prevailing spot prices, with a capital expenditure estimate of only US$55m. 

BCM managing director Andrew Reid said the results are an enormous step for the project towards commercialisation. 

“The results are considered by the company to be extremely encouraging and show that sustainable solution flow should be achievable with the application of ISR leaching techniques with the data and results to date better than expected,” he said. 

“The company continues to assess data as it is returned and detailed permeability measurements are being collected daily as we move through the field trial scenarios.”

Watch: ISR mining trial kicks off at Ema

What’s happening next? 

On the back of the expected positive results, BCM plans to produce a Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) from the collected solution. 

This MREC will then be provided to strategic partners for quality control testing and to progress the execution of offtake agreements.

This article was developed in collaboration with Brazilian Critical Minerals, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing. 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.