# Rare Earth Mining News in Western Australia Canonical page: https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news?commodities=rare+earth®ions=australia_wa Atlas summarizes and classifies mining-industry stories from third-party publishers. Follow each source link for the original reporting. Results: 4 Returned: 4 Coverage: drill results, resource updates, and metallurgy; primary commodity matching; all time unless dates are supplied. Region: Western Australia (australia_wa) Commodity: Rare Earth (rare earth) Applied filters: {"regions":["australia_wa"],"commodities":["rare earth"],"commodity_scope":"primary","document_types":["drill_results","resource_update","metallurgy"],"document_type_match":"any"} Sort: published_at desc Offset: 0; page size: 10 ## PR1: Annual Report to Shareholders - Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/pr1-annual-report-to-shareholders--4721ef20-a58a-4e30-9a8b-43d4b5e56dd6) · [Markdown](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/pr1-annual-report-to-shareholders--4721ef20-a58a-4e30-9a8b-43d4b5e56dd6.md) - Original announcement: 2026-09-30T07:16:00.000Z - Atlas analysis published: 2026-09-30T08:31:18.640Z - Atlas analysis updated: 2026-09-30T08:31:18.640Z - Company: Pure Resources Limited (PR1) - Original source: [asx](https://www.asx.com.au/asx/v2/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=03146530) - Atlas sentiment: 0.506 - Atlas tags: Bench Scale Only, Theoretical Recovery Only, High Recovery, Free Milling, Gravity Route, Multi-Domain Tested Pure Resources Limited has transitioned to a defence-aligned advanced materials platform, securing research partnerships with Rice University for graphite-based thermal management and Oak Ridge National Laboratory for heavy rare earth element (HREE) recovery from its Garnet Hills Project. Initial metallurgical testwork confirmed HREE recovery to solution and the garnet product meets international abrasive specifications. The company also completed capital raises totalling $4.7 million and divested non-core assets. ## MRD: Annual Report to shareholders - Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/mrd-annual-report-to-shareholders--5d164624-683f-4d9e-8ada-fc8f6a26bd88) · [Markdown](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/mrd-annual-report-to-shareholders--5d164624-683f-4d9e-8ada-fc8f6a26bd88.md) - Original announcement: 2026-09-30T05:56:00.000Z - Atlas analysis published: 2026-09-30T06:17:58.529Z - Atlas analysis updated: 2026-09-30T06:17:58.529Z - Company: Mount Ridley Mines Limited (MRD) - Original source: [asx](https://www.asx.com.au/asx/v2/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=03146333) - Atlas sentiment: 0.738 - Atlas tags: Tonnage Growth, Grade Decline, Contained Metal Growth, All Inferred, Maiden Resource, JORC Compliant, QP/CP Signed, Resource Update, High Recovery, Recovery Improving, Bench Scale Only, Step-Out Extension, QA/QC Disclosed, Stale Data Re-release, Bonanza Intercept, Mill Route Mount Ridley Mines Limited reported significant progress in FY2026, primarily driven by the flagship Grass Patch Project in Western Australia. The company announced substantial Mineral Resource Estimates for gallium, scandium, and heavy rare earth elements, including a significant upgrade to the Inferred Scandium MRE to 946Mt at 50.1 ppm Sc. Metallurgical testwork on its proprietary Selectro™ process yielded encouraging recoveries for scandium (up to 92%), HREE (up to 86%), and gallium, with improved reagent efficiency. The co-location of these critical minerals and successful post-year-end capital raise position the company for further development. ## PR1: PR1 Targets Quantum REE as ORNL Work Advances to Next Phase - Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/pr1-pr1-targets-quantum-ree-as-ornl-work-advances-to-next-phase--31aebb49-ed49-4a65-bda2-71f7021ae949) · [Markdown](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/pr1-pr1-targets-quantum-ree-as-ornl-work-advances-to-next-phase--31aebb49-ed49-4a65-bda2-71f7021ae949.md) - Original announcement: 2026-09-23T22:57:00.000Z - Atlas analysis published: 2026-09-23T23:03:26.381Z - Atlas analysis updated: 2026-09-23T23:03:26.381Z - Company: Pure Resources Limited (PR1) - Original source: [asx](https://www.asx.com.au/asx/v2/statistics/displayAnnouncement.do?display=pdf&idsId=03143190) - Atlas sentiment: 0.092 - Atlas tags: Bench Scale Only, Single Domain Only Pure Resources Limited has announced that its rare earth recovery programme with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has advanced to the phase characterisation of reaction products. The programme scope has been expanded to include heavy and minor rare earths used in quantum computing and defence applications, though no quantified recovery figures or grades were disclosed. ## Mount Ridley lifts rare earth, scandium recoveries as trademarked Selectro cuts reagent dose - Atlas analysis: [Read analysis](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/mount-ridley-lifts-rare-earth-scandium-recoveries-as-trademarked-selectro-cuts-r--64e30853-9226-44be-8944-7a561e2f0bb7) · [Markdown](https://atlas-staging.minestarters.com/news/mount-ridley-lifts-rare-earth-scandium-recoveries-as-trademarked-selectro-cuts-r--64e30853-9226-44be-8944-7a561e2f0bb7.md) - Original announcement: 2026-09-17T00:52:34.000Z - Atlas analysis published: 2026-09-17T01:04:02.489Z - Atlas analysis updated: 2026-09-17T01:04:02.489Z - Company: Mount Ridley Mines (MRD) - Original source: [stockhead](https://stockhead.com.au/resources/mount-ridley-lifts-rare-earth-scandium-recoveries-as-trademarked-selectro-cuts-reagent-dose/) - Atlas sentiment: 0.358 - Atlas tags: High Recovery, Inferred Resource, Mill Route, Single Domain Only Mount Ridley Mines reported improved scandium and rare earth recoveries using its proprietary Selectro leach process on Grass Patch material. Notably, these improvements were achieved while halving the reagent dose compared to previous tests, although gallium recoveries decreased. # Atlas tag definitions - **Bonanza Intercept:** Exceptionally high-grade zone, well above the deposit-type norm. - **True Width Disclosed:** Actual thickness perpendicular to structure is stated, not just downhole length. - **Step-Out Extension:** Mineralization extended beyond the previously known limit. - **QA/QC Disclosed:** Release includes QA/QC disclosure — certified lab, QP sign-off, or stated methods (blanks, standards, duplicates). - **Compositing Transparent:** Cut-off grade and internal dilution rules are clearly stated for reported intervals. - **Refractory Ore:** Complex mineralogy requiring oxidation or other special processing before recovery. - **Apparent Width Only:** Interval given as downhole width with no true width or drill orientation — apparent width may overstate true thickness. - **Stale Data Re-release:** Historical results re-announced with no new assays or reinterpretation — low genuine novelty. - **No QA/QC Disclosure:** Release does not disclose QA/QC — lab certification, CP/QP sign-off and assay protocols cannot be checked from this document. - **Metal Equivalent Opaque:** Metal equivalent grade reported without disclosing the price, recovery, or payability assumptions used. - **Cut-off Undisclosed:** Cut-off grade not disclosed — cannot assess comparability to prior estimates or peers. - **Deleterious Elements Present:** Penalty elements (arsenic, antimony, etc.) or refractory concerns noted in the release. - **Infill Drilling:** Confirmatory drilling to raise resource confidence, not new discovery. - **Nearology Play:** Value premise rests on proximity to a known deposit rather than own results. - **Measured Resource:** Highest confidence category — tonnage, grade, shape well-established from closely-spaced drilling. Basis for Proven Reserves. - **Indicated Resource:** Reasonable geological confidence based on adequate drilling; continuity can be assumed. Basis for Probable Reserves. - **Proven Reserve:** Measured Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. - **Probable Reserve:** Indicated Resource with demonstrated economic viability after applying modifying factors. - **Category Upgrade:** Resource confidence improved — Inferred upgraded to Indicated, or Indicated to Measured. De-risking signal. - **Tonnage Growth:** Significant tonnage increase (≥15%) vs prior estimate with grade maintained or improved. - **Grade Improvement:** Average resource grade improved vs prior estimate — better deposit economics. - **Contained Metal Growth:** True scale improvement — contained metal ounces/tonnes increased vs prior, accounting for both tonnage and grade changes. - **QP/CP Signed:** Qualified Person (QP) or Competent Person (CP) named and signed off — a member of a recognized professional association (e.g., AusIMM, SME, AIG, P.Geo) with relevant experience. - **Cut-off Disclosed:** Cut-off grade used for resource reporting is clearly stated, enabling like-for-like comparison. - **JORC Compliant:** Resource estimate prepared in compliance with JORC Code (Australia) — high reporting standard. - **NI 43-101 Compliant:** Resource estimate prepared in compliance with NI 43-101 (Canada) — high reporting standard. - **Inferred Resource:** Speculative category — limited drilling, geological continuity assumed but not confirmed. Cannot support economic studies alone. - **All Inferred:** 100% of resource is Inferred category — very early stage, no engineering confidence. - **Grade Decline:** Average grade dropped >5% vs prior estimate — deposit economics worsening. May indicate high-grading in early drilling. - **Tonnage Decline:** Resource tonnage decreased vs prior estimate — pit optimization removed marginal material or geological model revised down. - **Category Downgrade:** Resource confidence decreased — Measured downgraded to Indicated, or Indicated to Inferred. Unusual and concerning. - **Contained Metal Decline:** Contained metal decreased vs prior despite tonnage growth — grade dilution exceeds volume gain. - **Dilutive Growth:** Tonnage increased but contained metal flat or down — likely from lower cut-off grade, not geological expansion. - **Cut-off Lowered:** Cut-off grade significantly reduced vs prior estimate — tonnage growth may be artificial inflation. - **Cut-off Undisclosed:** Cut-off grade not disclosed — cannot assess comparability to prior estimates or peers. - **Historical Estimate Only:** Estimate pre-dates or does not comply with current JORC/NI 43-101 standards — requires verification drilling. - **Stale Estimate:** Effective date is >2 years old — data currency concern, may not reflect current geological understanding. - **No Contained Metal:** Tonnage and grade reported but contained metal not calculated or disclosed — incomplete reporting. - **No QP/CP Disclosure:** No Qualified Person or Competent Person named — lower credibility for the estimate. A QP/CP should be a member of a recognized professional association with relevant experience. - **Maiden Resource:** First formal MRE for the project — establishes baseline but typically exploration-stage with high Inferred component. - **Resource Update:** Revised estimate for an existing resource — compare to prior to assess progress. - **PEA-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Preliminary Economic Assessment — early-stage study. - **PFS-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Pre-Feasibility Study — requires adequate M&I component. - **DFS-Supporting:** Resource estimate prepared to support a Definitive Feasibility Study — requires high M&I confidence. - **High Recovery:** Recovery at or above the exceptional band for the commodity and processing route. - **Pilot Scale Complete:** Pilot or demonstration plant testing completed under continuous operation. - **Free Milling:** Simple, clean ore amenable to standard processing without oxidation. - **Multi-Domain Tested:** Variability across ore domains (oxide, transition, fresh) has been addressed. - **Recovery Improving:** Recovery improved versus a like-for-like prior test program on the same domain and route. - **Low Recovery:** Recovery below the weak band for the commodity and processing route. - **Bench Scale Only:** Only preliminary bench tests completed — no locked-cycle or pilot work. - **Refractory Ore:** Complex mineralogy requiring oxidation or other special processing before recovery. - **Single Domain Only:** Testing limited to one composite or domain — representativeness not established. - **Recovery Stagnant:** No improvement across multiple test programs on comparable material. - **Theoretical Recovery Only:** Only theoretical or liberation-derived recovery reported, with no actual test result. - **Heap Leach Route:** Processing via heap leach — lower CAPEX and OPEX, lower recovery expected. - **Mill Route:** Processing via mill or concentrator (CIL, CIP, tank leach, flotation). - **Gravity Route:** Gravity separation forms a material part of the flowsheet. - **POX/BIOX Route:** Pressure or bio-oxidation for refractory ore — high CAPEX and OPEX. - **Byproduct Commodity:** The tested commodity is a byproduct rather than the primary economic driver.