ANSTO Tests Confirm High Extractions of Heavy Rare Earths
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
3 September 2025
ANSTO Leach Tests Confirm High Extractions of
Crucial Heavy Rare Earths
Engage with this announcement on our interactive Investor Hub
Excellent ANSTO diagnostic leach test results on the 100 kg Deep Leads bulk
sample, consistent with ABx’s in-house leach test results
Greater than 70% extractions of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb) achieved –
the two most sought-after heavy rare earths
Results indicate that Deep Leads can be effectively leached above pH 4, which
reduces impurities, reduces reagent costs and makes processing benign
ANSTO remains on track to deliver a mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC) sample
in Q4 2025
Prospective customers eagerly anticipating MREC compositions and samples
ANSTO has completed its diagnostic leach tests on sub-samples of the 100 kg sample of ionic
adsorption clay (IAC) rare earth material from the Company’s Deep Leads rare earth project,
located in a pine plantation 45 km west of Launceston in northern Tasmania.
The ANSTO diagnostic leach tests were conducted at pH 4.0, pH 4.5 and pH 4.7 (see Table 1
and Appendix A) to test progressively lower acidity, nearer to neutral pH 7. Lower acidity
delivers lower capital/operating costs and reduced environmental impact.
Table 1: Extraction of magnetic rare earths from bulk sample; ABx in-house tests (pH 4.0) and ANSTO
diagnostic leach tests (pH 4.0, 4.5 and 4.7). Full results in Appendix A.
REO
Pr6O11
ABx in-house
(pH 4.0)
66%
(pH 4.0)
74%
ANSTO
(pH 4.5)
75%
(pH 4.7)
73%
Nd2O3
69%
76%
77%
74%
Tb4O7
60%
74%
73%
71%
Dy2O3
65%
72%
72%
70%
MREO*
68%
75%
76%
74%
TREO-Ce
66%
75%
76%
74%
TREO
60%
68%
69%
67%
MREO* = Pr6O11 + Nd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3
For more information, please join ABx Group’s interactive Investor Hub
ABx Group Limited
Suite 2, Level 11, 385 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000, Australia
ABN 14 139 494 885
P: +61 3 9692 7222 | F: +61 2 9956 7355
ASX: ABX
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 2
The ANSTO results are similar or better than ABx’s in-house leach test results,1 with very high
extractions (above 70%) achieved for dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb), the two most crucial
heavy rare earth elements.
The extraction results were very similar at pH 4 and 4.5, and only slightly lower at pH 4.7,
indicating that the Deep Leads deposit could be effectively leached at an exceptionally
benign pH above 4 (the acidity of apple juice), which is valuable because contamination by
impurity elements such as aluminium and iron is typically much lower at higher pH.
These results are consistent with previous leach tests conducted by ANSTO that found that
samples from Deep Leads exhibited the highest extractions under near-neutral conditions
reported from any clay-hosted resource in Australia. This means the ABx resource has the
highest ionic proportion of any clay-hosted rare earths resource in the country.2,3
ABx Group Managing Director and CEO Mark Cooksey said:
“Confirmation of our in-house results by ANSTO – one of the world’s leading rare earth
laboratories – is an important milestone. Achieving such high extractions of dysprosium and
terbium is particularly encouraging, as these are the most strategically valuable rare earths. The
ability for Deep Leads to effectively be leached above pH 4 reduces impurities and points to lower
operating costs and a cleaner process. With the program on track to deliver our first MREC sample
later this year, we are advancing rapidly towards commercial outcomes.
“ABx is aiming to be first MREC producer from an ionic adsorption clay resource in Australia.
China’s ionic adsorption clay mines that dominate the supply of Dy and Tb are typically smaller
than ABx’s current resource. Additionally, ABx has already discovered new rare earth resources
and aspires to further grow its resource.”
Next Steps
The next step in the program is slurry tests, where the leaching performance will be
measured when a higher solids loading is used.
The overall program is on schedule, with ANSTO’s production of a Mixed Rare Earth
Carbonate (MREC) sample expected in Q4 2025. Results and samples will be provided to
prospective customers, who are keenly anticipating these outcomes.
Strategic Importance of MREC Production
Producing a high-purity MREC from a bulk sample represents a critical milestone for ABx in
the development of the Deep Leads project. Existing and prospective rare earth refineries
are seeking high quality MRECs that can be produced at low cost. MRECs with high
proportions of Dy and Tb are in particular demand, because these elements have the most
acute supply risk.4 ABx has excellent prospects of meeting these requirements because:
1
ASX Announcement, 6 August 2025
ASX Announcement, 31 May 2022
3
ASX Announcement, 2 February 2023
4
ASX Announcement, 23 April 2025
2
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 3
1. Achieving high extractions at ambient temperatures and pressures with minimal acid in
a short time is likely to lead to lower cost and lower impurities in the MREC product
2. The ABx resource has a higher proportion of Dy and Tb, which is likely to lead to an MREC
with a higher proportion of Dy and Tb compared to peers
The Company has already executed a Memorandum of Understanding with Ucore Rare
Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF)5, which is focussed on rare-earth processing
facilities in North America, and ABx is also in discussions with additional potential offtake
partners.
ABx Rare Earth Resource
The Deep Leads – Rubble Mound and Wind Break discoveries contain a resource estimate of
89 million tonnes6 averaging 844 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO). The resource contains
36 ppm Dy+Tb (Dy+Tb is 4.4% of TREO), the highest of any ionic clay deposit in Australia and
among the highest globally. 7
This resource estimate has been defined from only 29% of the project’s mineralised outline.
This announcement is approved for release by the board of ABx Group Limited.
Go to the ABx Investor Hub to watch a video of this announcement and ask any questions of
management.
For further information please contact:
Dr Mark Cooksey
MD & CEO
ABx Group
+61 447 201 536
mcooksey@abxgroup.com.au
www.abxgroup.com.au
5
ASX Announcement, 4 September 2024
41 Mt inferred, 42 Mt indicated and 6 Mt measured
7
ASX Announcement, 2 May 2024
6
Media
Chapter One Advisors
David Tasker / Alex Baker
+61 433 112 936 / +61 432 801 745
dtasker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au /
abaker@chapteroneadvisors.com.au
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 4
About ABx Group Limited
ABx Group Limited (ABx) is a uniquely positioned Australian company delivering materials
for a cleaner future.
The three priority projects are:
Heavy rare earths: Supplying light and heavy rare earths from Tasmania into
Western supply chains
Clean fluorine chemical production: Producing industrial chemicals from
aluminium smelter waste (ALCORE)
Near-term bauxite production: Mining bauxite resources for the aluminium,
cement and fertiliser industries
ABx endorses best practices on agricultural land and strives to leave land and environment
better than we find it. We only operate where welcomed.
Disclaimer Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This ASX announcement (Announcement) contains various forward-looking statements. All
statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to uncertainties in that they may be
affected by a variety of known and unknown risks, variables and factors which could cause
actual values or results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from the
expectations described in such forward-looking statements.
ABx does not give any assurance that the anticipated results, performance, or achievements
expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements will be achieved.
Competent Persons Statement
The information in this report that relate to Exploration Information and Mineral Resources
is based on information compiled by Ian Levy who is a member of The Australasian Institute
of Mining and Metallurgy and the Australian Institute of Geoscientists. Mr Levy is a qualified
geologist and a director of ABx Group Limited.
Mr Levy has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and to the activity, which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent
Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Australasian Code for Reporting of exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Levy has consented in writing to the inclusion in this
report of the Exploration Information in the form and context in which it appears.
The sub-sample preparation was conducted by Operations Manager Nathan Towns in the
ABx Research Lab in accordance with the increment division method in ISO Standard 6140.
ABx’s leach tests on four 20g representative sub-samples were conducted at the ABx
Research Lab by ex-CSIRO Senior Research Engineer, Dr Daniel Jewell, to the highest
standards.
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 5
Table 2 - Summary of sampling information referred to above, in accordance with LR 5.8.1
Geology and geological interpretation
REE mineralisation occurs in clay layers that overlie a Jurassic age dolerite
basement in a district with some residual weathered Tertiary age alkali
basalt.
Sampling and sub-sampling techniques
Pit sampling was done at 1 metre intervals using a large excavator with an 8
metre boom.
Subsampling of ~180kg was done by fractional shovelling. This sample was
dried, crushed to 25mm and ground to minus 5mm.
Further subsampling to collect the 100kg samples for ANSTO processing was
done by increment division on disk-ground powder in accordance ISO
Standard 6140. See Figures 5 & 6 below.
Drilling techniques
Criteria used for resource classification, drill &
data spacing & distribution.
Not applicable (N.A.). Bulk pit sampling by excavator
N.A.
Sample analytical method
Assay samples are analysed by standard NATA-approved induction coupled
plasma analytical methods for rare earth elements at ALS labs in Brisbane
(method ME-MS81). Interlab comparisons were satisfactory.
Estimation methodology, cut off grade,
mining, metallurgy and other modifying
factors
All N.A.
Figure 1 (left): handling the bulk sample from the pit,
Preparations for drying the 183.7kg bulk sample in 42 trays
Figure 2 (above): Increment subsampling of the
100kg ANSTO sample crush and ground to less
than 5mm.
Subsampling done in accordance with International
Standard ISO 6140 at the ABX Research Laboratory at
Western Junction, Launceston, Tasmania.
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 6
APPENDIX A: Extraction of rare earths from bulk sample; ABx in-house tests (pH 4.0) and ANSTO
diagnostic leach tests (pH 4.0, 4.5 and 4.7).
Oxide / Element
ABx in-house
(pH 4.0)
ANSTO
(pH 4.0)
(pH 4.5)
(pH 4.7)
La2O3
56%
72%
73%
72%
CeO2
6%
8%
8%
7%
Pr6O11
66%
74%
75%
73%
Nd2O3
69%
76%
77%
75%
Sm2O3
59%
71%
72%
70%
Eu2O3
65%
80%
80%
77%
Gd2O3
68%
76%
77%
75%
Tb4O7
60%
73%
73%
71%
Dy2O3
65%
72%
72%
70%
Ho2O3
62%
70%
71%
69%
Er2O3
65%
70%
68%
67%
Tm2O3
59%
69%
69%
69%
Yb2O3
57%
67%
68%
65%
Lu2O3
53%
65%
64%
64%
Y2O3
72%
79%
80%
79%
TREO
60%
68%
69%
67%
TREO-Ce
66%
75%
76%
74%
LREO
52%
61%
62%
60%
HREO
68%
76%
76%
75%
MREO
68%
75%
76%
74%
ABx leach conditions:
20g sample and 80mL of 4wt% (0.3M) ammonium sulfate (i.e. 20wt% slurry solids loading)
pH maintained at pH 4 by continuous monitoring and manual addition of small quantities of dilute
(3.45wt%) sulfuric acid
Ambient temperature and pressure
Overhead stirring at moderate speed
15 min
Compositions of sample and leached solution measured at ALS
Leach results are the average of tests on four sub-samples from the bulk sample
ANSTO leach conditions:
80g sample and 1920mL of 4wt% (0.3M) ammonium sulfate (i.e. 4wt% slurry solids loading)
Maintained at pH 4 by continuous monitoring and automated addition of small quantities of 1M
sulfuric acid
Ambient temperature and pressure
Overhead stirring
30 min
LREO (Light REO) = La2O3 + CeO2 + Pr6O11 + Nd2O3
HREO (Heavy REO) = Sm2O3 + Eu2O3 + Gd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3 + Ho2O3 + Er2O3 + Tm2O3 + Yb2O3 + Lu2O3 + Y2O3
MREO (Magnet REO) = Pr6O11 + Nd2O3 + Tb4O7 + Dy2O3
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 7
JORC Code, 2012 Edition – Table 1
Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Sampling
techniques
Nature and quality of sampling
Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample
representivity
Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are
Material to the Public Report.
Industry standard work:
Drill type
Bulk pit dug by excavator
Samples taken at 1 metre intervals by
cleaning pit at the metre interval, then
taking full 1 metre slice for the samples.
Subsampling the metre samples done as per
ISO bauxite sampling processes
Not applicable to bulk pits excavated by
excavator with 8 metre boom
Not applicable to bulk pits
Drilling
techniques
Drill sample
recovery
Logging
Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample
recoveries and results assessed.
Whether samples have been geologically and geotechnically
logged to an appropriate level for metallurgical studies.
Whether sampling is qualitative or quantitative.
Total length & percentage of the relevant intersections logged.
If core, whether cut or sawn, quarter, half or all core.
If non-core, sample method, whether sampled wet or dry.
Nature, quality & appropriateness of the sample preparation.
Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling
stages to maximise representivity of samples.
Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative
of the in situ material collected, including for instance results
for field duplicate/second-half sampling.
Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the
material being sampled.
Quality of
assay data
and
laboratory
tests
The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and
laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is
considered partial or total.
Geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments,
etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis
Nature of quality control procedures adopted.
Pits sampled, assayed, logged, photographed &
& stored to ISO standards. See below
All 8 metres was logged and sampled
Depth 5m to 6m selected – see below
Depth 5m to 6m selected for the sample to
be used to produce a mixed carbonate rare
earth carbonate (MREC)
100kg samples produced by drying 600kg,
comminution, subsampling by increment
division in accordance ISO Standard 6140 at
ABx Research Lab, Launceston that is a
recognised sampling lab for bulk products
including shipping of bauxite.
Separate subsamples assayed the same
Assaying done by NATA-registered ALS
laboratories, Brisbane
N.A. Assays are by ALS which is a major
mineral laboratory
ALS is industry-standard and publishes its
QA/QC protocols and results on its website
Verification
of sampling
and
assaying
The verification of significant intersections by either
independent or alternative company personnel.
The use of twinned holes.
Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data
verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.
Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
Pit sampling supervised by 4 ABx senior staff
– see Competent Person & Expert
Statement for details.
Repeated subsampling assayed the same.
Metal assays from ALS converted to oxides
as per industry standards for reporting
Location of
data points
Accuracy & quality of surveys used to locate drill holes & pits.
Specification of the grid system used.
Quality and adequacy of topographic control.
Location by GPS
Subsampling
techniques
and sample
preparation
Orientation of
data in relation
to geological
structure
Sample
security
Data
spacing and
distribution
Audits or
reviews
Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.
Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient.
Whether sample compositing has been applied.
Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased
sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is
known, considering the deposit type.
Does the drilling orientation introduce a sampling bias
The measures taken to ensure sample security.
The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques
and data.
Pit DLP002 location: 477720E , 5410126N
(WGS 84 56S grid). RL 287.675m by LiDAR.
Bulk pit sampling at 1m intervals considered
appropriate and sufficient
Vertical bulk pit sampling is appropriate for
the horizontal layers of REE mineralisation
Chain of custody protocols were applied to
secure the bulk bag samples.
Two bulk samples taken simultaneously
assayed the same
ASX announcement 3 September 2025
page 8
Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results (Criteria listed in preceding section also apply to this section.)
Criteria
JORC Code explanation
Commentary
Mineral
Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including
tenement
agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures,
and land
partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites,
tenure status
wilderness or national park and environmental settings.
Security of tenure and impediments to obtaining a licence to operate.
EL7/2010 100% owned and
unencumbered. Pit located in a
pine plantation with approvals
from owner and government
agencies.
Exploration by Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties.
other parties
Geology
Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation.
ABx sole discoverer and first to
explore this area.
REE mineralisation occurs in clay
layers that overlie a Jurassic age
dolerite basement in a district
with some residual weathered
Tertiary age alkali basalt.
Pit DLP002 location:
477720E ,
5410126N
(WGS 84 56S grid).
RL 287.675m by LiDAR.
Drill hole
Information
Summary of information for understanding exploration results including a
tabulation of the following information for all material drill holes:
o
o
o
o
o
easting and northing of the drill hole collar
elevation or RL (Reduced Level – elevation above sea level in metres)
dip and azimuth of the hole
down hole length and interception depth
hole length.
If exclusion of this information is justified, the Competent Person should
clearly explain why this is the case.
Data
In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum
aggregation
and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off
methods
grades are usually Material and should be stated.
Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results
and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such
aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such
aggregations should be shown in detail.
The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be
clearly stated.
Relationship These relationships are particularly important.
between
If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is
mineralisation
known, its nature should be reported.
widths &
If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be
intercept
a clear statement to this effect (eg ‘down hole length, true width not known’).
lengths
Diagrams
Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts
should be included for any significant discovery being reported These should
include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and
appropriate sectional views.
Balanced
Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable,
reporting
representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should
be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results.
Other
Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported
substantive
including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey
exploration
results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples – size and method of
data
treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater,
geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or
contaminating substances.
Further
The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions
work
or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).
Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the
main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this
information is not commercially sensitive.
----oooo----
No aggregation or any cutting
of assays done
Metal assays from ALS
converted to oxides as per
industry standards for
reporting
Vertical bulk pit sampling is
appropriate for the horizontal
layers of REE mineralisation
See report
All data to date is reported in
this report
All data to date is reported in
this report
ANSTO labs are engaged to
undertake the processing on
the 100kg sample to produce a
mixed rare earth carbonate
concentrate (MREC)
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