澳交所上市公司Critica Limited在其Jupiter稀土项目上取得重大技术突破。[1]该公司通过系统优化处理流程，成功将硫酸消耗量降低30%，从原来的1.4-1.6吨/吨降至约1吨/吨。[1]这一成果已获得澳大利亚核科学技术组织、GAVAQ和澳大利亚冶金实验室等独立机构证实。[1]
Jupiter项目是澳大利亚最大的粘土型稀土资源，储量达1.8亿吨。[1]在优化后的工艺中，稀土氧化物（MagREO）回收率约为81%，选矿阶段的质量拒绝率约为95%。[1]项目铀钍含量相对较低，有利于后续许可获批和客户认可。[1]Critica首席执行官Jacob Deysel表示："我们的方法是系统地优化Jupiter处理流程的每个阶段。"[1]硫酸消耗成本的下降有望显著降低项目未来运营成本。[1]该公司计划在2026年第三季度发布项目可行性研究报告。[1]
ASX-listed Critica Limited has achieved a major operational milestone at its flagship Jupiter rare earths project by reducing sulfuric acid consumption by 30%, cutting the requirement from 1.4–1.6 tonnes per tonne to approximately 1 tonne per tonne [1]. The optimization of processing methods was independently verified by the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organization, GAVAQ, and the Australian Metallurgical Laboratory [1]. This advancement is expected to significantly lower operating costs for the project going forward [1].
The Jupiter project, located near Mount Magnet in Western Australia's Mid-West region, represents Australia's largest clay-hosted rare earth resource with 1.8 million tonnes in reserve [1]. The processing improvements have achieved rare earth oxide recovery rates of approximately 81%, while waste rejection at the beneficiation stage reaches about 95% [1]. The relatively low uranium and thorium content of the ore is expected to facilitate permitting and customer acceptance [1]. CEO Jacob Deysel stated: "Our approach is to systematically optimize each stage of the Jupiter processing flowsheet" [1]. The company plans to release a definitive feasibility study in the third quarter of 2026 [1].