Axel REE Limited (ASX: AXL) has announced positive first-stage metallurgical results from its Caladão Project in Brazil. Axel REE is an exploration company focused on rare earth element (REE) and gallium projects in Brazil, covering over 1,000km² of exploration tenure. The initial test work, conducted by ANSTO, demonstrated strong recoveries of ionic rare earth elements (REE) and gallium using simple, low-cost leaching methods.
The metallurgical test work, performed on two diamond drill samples taken 2km apart, showed positive recoveries of high value magnet rare earth elements (MREO) using sodium chloride (NaCl) and ammonium sulfate (AMSUL) leaching methods at pH 4. Recoveries of up to 52% were achieved for neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), dysprosium (Dy), and terbium (Tb). Further tests confirmed that a significant portion of the REE at Caladão are adsorbed onto clays, allowing recovery through a simple leaching process.
In addition to rare earths, strong initial gallium recovery results were achieved, with up to 25% recovery through acid leaching in preliminary tests. Elevated near-surface gallium grades in drill hole DDH-036 suggest supergene enrichment, indicating potential for a dedicated low-cost gallium recovery process. The company is now developing a simple, two-stage heap leach process designed for low CAPEX and OPEX operations, aimed at reducing the environmental footprint. Axel REE has also partnered with CETEM to further investigate metallurgical aspects of gallium and REE recovery.
Paul Dickson, Non-Executive Chairman, commented that the results confirm Caladão’s potential to host recoverable ionic and non-ionic rare earths, as well as gallium, through straightforward leaching techniques. The company expects to finalise a maiden JORC Inferred Resource estimate for Area A in late July or August 2025.
