An Afternoon with ORDS - Rare Earths Conference
Summary
- Viridis Mining and Minerals Ltd (VMM) announced a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) of 201 million tonnes at 2,590 ppm TREO for its Colossus Ionic Clay Project in Brazil.
- The MRE includes a significant mixed rare earth oxide (MREO) content of 668 ppm, representing 26% of the total rare earth oxide (TREO).
- Exceptional metallurgical recoveries were achieved, with 76% MREO recovery in the Northern Concessions and 83% in the Southern Complex.
- The project benefits from signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with both local and state governments, facilitating faster approvals.
- VMM has a joint venture (JV) with Ionic Rare Earths (IXR) for downstream processing, including separation, refining, and recycling.
- A scoping study is expected in Q1 2025, and a pre-feasibility study is planned for completion by the end of Q2 2025.
- Construction approval is targeted for Q2 2026, with the start of production anticipated thereafter.
Sentiment
Score: 8
Explanation: The high-grade resource, excellent metallurgical results, and supportive government partnerships point to a positive outlook. However, the project is still in the early stages of development, and risks remain.
Positives
- High-grade rare earth elements (REEs) with significant MREO content.
- Exceptional metallurgical recoveries exceeding industry standards.
- Supportive government agreements accelerating project development.
- Strategic joint venture with a leading REO separation and refining technology provider.
- Strong potential for resource expansion based on ongoing exploration.
- Favorable location with existing infrastructure and skilled workforce.
Negatives
- The MRE covers only a small portion (6%) of the total landholding.
- Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties.
- Environmental approvals are still pending, with potential delays.
Risks
- Dependence on securing environmental approvals and permits.
- Fluctuations in rare earth element prices and market demand.
- Potential delays in project development and construction.
- Uncertainties associated with resource expansion and exploration success.
Future Outlook
The company expects to finalize a scoping study in Q1 2025 and complete a pre-feasibility study by the end of Q2 2025. Construction approval is targeted for Q2 2026, with the start of production anticipated thereafter. An updated resource estimate is expected in early 2025.
Management Comments
- The selection by Invest Minas at such an early stage in our development journey highlights the importance of Colossus at local, state and federal levels.
- The value proposition of the Colossus project is centred around the true ionic nature, high grade, world leading recoveries and low OPEX flowsheet that has been proven at ANSTO.
Industry Context
The announcement positions Viridis Mining and Minerals as a significant player in the burgeoning rare earth elements market, particularly within the ion-adsorption clay segment. The project's high-grade nature and advanced metallurgical progress differentiate it from competitors, while the strategic partnerships with government and IXR mitigate some of the typical risks associated with rare earth development.
Next Steps
- Finalization of scoping study (Q1 2025)
- Completion of pre-feasibility study (End Q2 2025)
- Securing environmental approvals (Q2 2026)
- Commencement of construction
- Start of production
Key Dates
- 06 Feb 2024: Spectacular Shallow Intercepts up to 23,556ppm TREO Amended
- 4 Mar 2024: Viridis Signs Key MoUs with State of Minas Gerias and Poos De Caldas
- 15 Feb 2024: Hatch awarded Colossus Scoping Study and Eng Support Contractor
- 3 Apr 2024: Viridis Enters JV for Separation, Refining and Recycling of Rare Earths
- 04 June 2024: Globally Significant Maiden MRE for Colossus IAC Project
- 03 July 2024: Cupim South and Centro Sul Licenses Granted
- 28 August 2024: Cupim South Delivers 21m @ 15,339ppm TREO
- 24 September 2024: Colossus Maiden Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) Product
- 30 September 2024: Cash balance as of 30 September 2024
- 14 October 2024: $4m Capital Raise
- 30 October 2024: Cupim South Drilling Paves Way for Major Resource Upgrade
- 14 November 2024: Southern Complex Achieves Highest Ever Recoveries
- 6 Nov 2024: Virids Progresses Downstream Rare Earth Oxide Refining, Magnet Manufacturing and Recycling Partnerships
- 18 November 2024: As at market close 18 November 2024
- 20 November 2024: AN AFTERNOON WITH ORDS RARE EARTHS CONFERENCE
- Q1 2025: Scoping Study expected to be finalised and issued to the market
- Q4 2024: Optimisation testing to commence
- Q4 2024: Pre-Feasibility Study to commence
- Q1 2025: REO Refinery and Recycling plant scoping study work program to commence
- Early 2025: Updated Resource Estimate expected to be delivered
- End Q2 2025: Pre-Feasibility Study to complete by
- Q2 2026: Alger aim to deliver Construction approval by
Keywords
Filings with Classifications
Operational Update
- Viridis and Viridion are well-placed to capitalize on significant funding opportunities provided by two FINEP / BNDES Public Calls, which total R$8 Billion (approximately US $1.4 Billion) for strategic mineral transformation and R&D centers.
- The potential funding available will fast-track the Colossus and Viridion development timelines, indicating a future capital injection to accelerate project progress.
Operational Update
- The document highlights 'exceptional project economics even at todays cyclical low rare earth prices', indicating strong performance despite challenging market conditions.
- The successful delivery of the first locally sourced rare earth oxides to Latin America's only magnet manufacturer is described as a 'significant milestone', surpassing typical expectations for project development.
- The unique positioning of Viridion as the 'only local source of oxides to Brazil and broader Latin America' provides a strategic advantage that exceeds standard market positioning.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The JORC Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) at the Colossus Project increased by 140%, reaching 493Mt @ 2,508ppm TREO and 601ppm MREO, which is better than previous estimates.
Interim Financial Report
- The company completed a $3.5 million placement on February 4, 2025, at $0.33 per share.
- The company completed a placement to raise A$4 million through an equity issue at $0.52 per share in October 2024.
Interim Financial Report
- The company's net loss after tax decreased compared to the previous year, indicating improved financial performance.
Scoping Study Announcement
- The Colossus project's economics, including a pre-tax NPV8 of US$1.43 billion and an IRR of 43%, suggest better than expected results.
Project Update
- The Colossus project boasts the largest and highest-grade MREO Measured & Indicated IAC resource globally.
- Metallurgical testing shows industry-leading MREO recoveries of 76-78% using a cost-efficient and environmentally friendly process.
Reinstatement Announcement
- The reinstatement of trading is directly linked to an announcement regarding a capital raising.
- The company is expected to announce details of the capital raising soon.
Trading Halt Request
- The company has requested a trading halt pending an announcement regarding a capital raising.
Environmental and Regulatory Update
- The company is continuing to focus on project financing discussions.
Resource Upgrade Announcement
- The resource size increased by 140%, which is significantly better than expected.
- The Measured & Indicated resource is now the largest and highest grade globally, which is better than industry standards.
Exploration Update
- The resource estimate has increased by 140%, which is better than expected.
- The project has the largest and highest-grade MREO resource in the Measured & Indicated categories globally, which is better than expected.
- Metallurgical recoveries are industry-leading, which is better than expected.
Exploration Update
- The results are better than expected due to the industry-leading 78% MREO recoveries, which exceed typical recoveries in similar projects.
- The low impurity level of approximately 0.7% is significantly better than global benchmarks for public IAC projects.
- The high TREO content of 58% in the final MREC product, along with a 38% MREO/TREO ratio, surpasses expected values and indicates a high-quality deposit.
Exploration Update
- The drill results were significantly better than expected due to the discovery of multiple exceptionally thick and high-grade rare earth intercepts, exceeding previous expectations for both grade and width.
Annual General Meeting Results
- Approval of a 10% placement facility was granted.
- Ratification of prior share issues (April and October placements) was approved.
Investor Presentation
- The high-grade nature of the MRE, exceeding expectations, and the exceptional metallurgical recoveries are significantly better than anticipated.
Investor Presentation
- $4 million capital raise completed on 14 October 2024
Metallurgical Test Results
- The ionic recoveries achieved at the Southern Complex significantly exceeded expectations, surpassing all previous results at the Colossus project and demonstrating a superior economic profile.
Annual General Meeting Notice
- Resolution 4 seeks shareholder approval for a 10% placement facility, potentially raising additional capital.
- Resolution 10 seeks approval to issue 1,712,308 October Placement Shares to Tranche 2 participants, potentially raising approximately $0.9 million.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results significantly exceeded expectations, with multiple intersections revealing exceptionally high grades and thicknesses of rare earth elements, particularly MREOs, far surpassing previous models.
Capital Raise Announcement
- The successful A$4 million placement exceeded expectations, demonstrating strong investor confidence in the company and its Colossus project.
- The exceptional maiden MREC results from the Colossus project significantly exceeded expectations, showcasing superior economics and potential to disrupt the industry.
Trading Halt Announcement
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
Annual Report
- The company's ability to issue additional shares under the Corporation Act 2001 to raise further capital. The Group has a history of successfully raising funds from equity raisings in the past
Annual Report
- The company reported a significant net loss after tax of $8,314,168 for FY2024, substantially exceeding the previous year's loss of $814,226, indicating worse than expected financial performance.
Exploration Update
- The company acquired new tenements at a low cost, expanding its landholding in key prospects.
- Drilling results indicate high-grade mineralisation in the Cupim South Extension.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The company announced a globally significant maiden MRE for the Colossus IAC Project of 201Mt @ 2,590ppm TREO with 668ppm MREO.
- Metallurgical test work at the Colossus IAC Project achieved high bulk composite sample recoveries globally, averaging 79% recovery in a 30-minute leach cycle.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results are better than expected due to the high TREO grades and MREO concentrations discovered at the Cupim South extension.
- The infill drilling at the Northern Concessions returned grades over twice the block model estimates, indicating a significant improvement in the resource potential.
Missing type for ID: 2009
- ASX:VMM announces better than expected results.
Missing type for ID: 3480
- ASX:VMM announces worse than expected results.
Market Announcement
- The granting of the Cupim South mining licenses and Centro Sul exploration licenses is better than expected as it secures critical tenements for the company's development strategy.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results have exceeded expectations by discovering higher grades and extending the mineralized zones beyond the previously known resource area.
Mineral Resource Estimate
- The Colossus project has a high MREO content compared to its peers.
Investor Presentation
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high grades of rare earth elements found near the surface.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the high recoveries achieved in initial metallurgical testing.
- The document highlights better than expected results due to the strategic partnerships and government support secured.
Exploration Update
- The drilling results at Ribeirao encountered significantly higher grades than previously anticipated, improving the potential resource estimate.
- The mineralized footprint at Cupim South has doubled, indicating a larger resource potential than initially expected.
Quarterly Activity Report
- The drilling results exceeded expectations with high-grade zones and new discoveries.
- Metallurgical testing showed exceptional ionic adsorption recoveries.
- The company secured additional mining rights and expanded its land position.
Trading Halt Request
- The company is undertaking a capital raising.
- The details of the capital raising will be released in a subsequent announcement.
Metallurgical Test Results Announcement
- The maiden bulk met test work completed at Colossus exceeded expectations.
- The average ionic recoveries of magnet rare earth elements (MREE), including Neodymium (Nd), Praseodymium (Pr), Dysprosium (Dy), and Terbium (Tb), outperformed every publicly known IAC prospect and deposit globally.
Exploration Update
- The discovery of the highest peak grade publicly reported by any company within the entire Complex of 27,087ppm TREO is better than expected.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The Parties acknowledge and agree that on and from the Commencement Date (being the date the JV Co is incorporated), a detailed budget and funding model will be developed to inform future funding requirements, which must be agreed by both Parties.
Joint Venture Announcement
- The joint venture aims to be the first producer of refined Rare Earth Oxides (REO) in Brazil, utilizing innovative separation and recycling technologies, which is better than the current industry standard.
Disclaimer: This summary was generated by artificial intelligence and its accuracy is not guaranteed. The information provided here is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice, recommendation, or endorsement of any kind. It may contain errors or omissions. You should not rely on this information to make financial decisions. Always seek the advice of a qualified financial professional before making any investment or financial decisions. Use of this information is at your own risk.