Lodestar Resources begins Virgin Mountain exploration aimed at yttrium and other heavy REEs

• Historically reported high levels of heavy rare earths, including yttrium, as well as neodymium and praseodymium
• Elevated heavy rare earths in historical channel samples, up to 57% TREO
• Heavy and magnet rare earth prices skyrocketing as China restricts supply

Special Report: As supply constraints mount around rare earths and sovereign supply becomes a major strategic concern, Lodestar Resources has begun the search for the valuable critical minerals at the Virgin Mountain project in Arizona.

Historical sampling and exploration by previous operators highlighted elevated concentrations of heavy rare earth elements and magnet rare earths on the project’s tenure.

Channel sampling returned grades of between 0.53% and 1.26% total rare earth oxides (TREO) with heavy rare earths including yttrium, ytterbium, dysprosium, terbium, gadolinium, holmium, erbium, lutetium and thulium accounting for up to 57% of the TREO.

The samples also indicate the presence of elevated neodymium and praseodymium, valuable magnet rare earths vital to permanent magnet manufacturing for electric vehicles, wind turbines and other advanced technologies.

Lodestar Resources (ASX:LSR) is working to verify the historical datasets for Virgin Mountain, concentrating on areas of elevated rare earths with the goal of defining the extent of mineralised trends.

Of particular interest is a 760m-long uranium-thorium structural trend mapped by the Arizona Geological Survey.

Rare earths often form in concert with uranium and thorium, meaning radiometric data can provide valuable exploration insights and offer vectors for rare earths exploration.

Lodestar’s on-ground exploration will include:

• Verification of historical samples and shaft locations
• Surface rock-chip sampling across the target area and along strike
• Reconnaissance geological and structural mapping
• Integration of historical datasets with new site observations
• Review of access, logistics and permitting considerations

The exploration team will also conduct a generative review of potential new projects within the area.

Rare earth demand on the rise

Demand for heavy rare earths and yttrium in particular has skyrocketed since China imposed export restrictions on a basket of critical minerals.

According to Discovery Alert, yttrium pricing has surged from $6 per kilogram at the start of 2025 to a current trading range of $220-$320kg by November – an increase of between 3,567% and 5,233%.

Lodestar Resources executive director Coraline Blaud said the company was pleased to begin maiden exploration at Virgin Mountain, investigating the project’s rare earth potential.

“The historical rare earth results point to a compelling heavy rare earth opportunity, with several samples reporting a majority of heavy rare earth component,” she said.

“Our work now focuses on verifying this historical data, improving our geological understanding and defining priority targets for follow-up exploration.

“We are also putting in place the technical and strategic foundations — through our consultants and upcoming government engagement — to properly evaluate any future development options should exploration success continue.”

Virgin Mountain sits within the same region as the now-famous Mountain Pass Mine, subject to multiple million-dollar deals with the US Department of Defense and tech giant Apple.

The area has extensive established infrastructure, offering strong potential for Lodestar to expand its exploration footprint locally.

This article was developed in collaboration with Lodestar Resources, 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.