High-grade gallium discovery sizzles for RareX at Cummins Range

Values of up to 6826g/t gallium have been identified at RareX’s Cummins Range asset
Deeper gallium has not been assayed for yet, but re-assaying of samples is currently underway
RareX says the results elevate Cummins Range to the most advanced gallium deposit in Australia

Special report: An unexpected gallium discovery has elevated RareX’s Cummins Range project to the most advanced gallium deposit in Australia with historical drill holes containing values up to 6826 g/t Ga203.

The critical metal, a key material in semiconductor chips currently subject to export bans from its main producer China, could transform Cummins Range, already one of Australia’s largest pre-development rare earths and phosphate projects.

Gallium assays have been identified in the upper 80m of the carbonatite pipe, occurring alongside high-grade rare earths, phosphate, and scandium mineralisation, after RareX (ASX:REE) assessed historical regolith RC drilling conducted between 2007 and 2012 by Navigator Resources and Kimberly Rare Earths.

A total of 11,487 assays for gallium were completed with 36% of the assays containing >40g/t Ga2O3.

These intersections were calculated using a cut-off grade of 40g/t Ga2O3 over 5m with stand-out intersections including:

99m at 106g/t gallium, 0.77% TREO and 160g/t scandium from 1m to EOH
74m at 123g/t gallium, 2.4% TREO and 186g/t scandium from surface, including 30m at 206g/t gallium, 4.6% TREO and 310g/t scandium; and
56m at 114g/t gallium, 1.5% TREO and 263g/t scandium from 44m, including 11m at 220g/t gallium, 3% TREO and 639g/t scandium.

Research suggests these are some of highest-grade gallium assays reported in Australia, with 25% of the historical drilling currently assayed for gallium.

Gallium market growth

Gallium is on the critical mineral list for Europe, America and Australia and with the growth of electronics, semi-conductors and solar panels, it is anticipated the gallium market will grow significantly from US$2.45b in 2024 to US$21.53b by 2034.

China has moved to restrict the sale of gallium to US customers, resulting in a supply squeeze.

The Middle Kingdom is the world’s largest producer of the metal, which is typically produced as a by-product of aluminium and zinc refining.

Integrating gallium into mine planning

RareX managing director and CEO James Durrant said the results are an unexpected boost for the Cummins Range deposit, coming from a deep dive reassessment of the deposit in readiness for the 2025 drilling season on the near-mine anomalies.

“Gallium is on the critical minerals list of every major economy, including the United States and Australia, yet there are no significant Western producers,” he said.

“China controls 98% of the market and has imposed a comprehensive ban on all gallium exports.

“The Cummins Range deposit has been significantly de-risked through advanced heritage agreements, environmental and infrastructure studies and mine planning.

“This new aspect to Cummins Range immediately escalates this project to the most advanced gallium deposit in Australia

“We look forward to conducting further studies to determine how gallium can be integrated into our rare earth and phosphate development plans.”

Re-assaying of samples is underway.

This article was developed in collaboration with RareX, 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.