Rare Earth Miner Critica Begins Drilling At Promising Jupiter Project

Critica Starts Air Core Drilling at Jupiter Rare Earth Project in Western Australia

Critica has commenced an air core drilling program at its Jupiter project in Western Australia’s Yalgoo mining district, marking a significant development for the rare earth sector. The planned 143 air core holes over a vast area of 7,000-10,000 meters on a 125m x 125m grid are expected to provide crucial insights into the geology and mineralization of the project.

The drilling program is part of an ongoing scoping study that aims to upgrade key areas of the existing inferred mineral resource to indicated classification. The study’s objectives include enhancing drill density, improving resource classification, and providing valuable data to support the integration of the Jupiter project into Critica’s broader portfolio.

The Western Australian Government’s Exploration Incentive Scheme (EIS) has provided critical funding support for this initiative, covering 50% of the drilling and mobilization costs. This co-funding arrangement not only helps advance the project’s potential but also reduces capital expenditure, allowing Critica to allocate resources more efficiently.

Critica’s air core drilling program at Jupiter is a key component of its overall strategy, which involves multiple exploration initiatives across its portfolio. Regional drilling is underway at the broader Brothers Project, aimed at assessing potential resource growth beyond Jupiter’s current footprint. This effort will provide critical insights into the continuity and scale of mineralization in the region.

Two key sites, Juno and Aurora, are being explored by Critica. At Juno, 30 air core holes are planned along a 2km x 500m corridor, focusing on areas with higher proportions of magnet rare earth oxides. This effort aims to build on the positive indications of REE mineralization identified at Juno.

In contrast, the Aurora site, located northwest of Jupiter, will feature 28 air core holes, targeting high-priority targets that have shown promising signs of clay-hosted rare earth element (REE) mineralization. Regional drilling at both sites will help Critica to refine its understanding of the geology and mineralization patterns across the broader Brothers Project.

Critica’s CEO Jacob Deysel highlighted the significance of this drilling program, stating: “The commencement of this drilling programme represents the next step in advancing Jupiter through the scoping study. The resource upgrade drilling targets priority areas to support upgrading portions of the current inferred resource to indicated classification, with SRK Consulting engaged to update the mineral resource model as new data is incorporated.”

Critica remains focused on disciplined resource upgrade, metallurgical optimization, and study progression toward development. The company’s commitment to these objectives is critical to ensuring that the Jupiter project delivers long-term value for stakeholders.

The Jupiter Project was discovered in late 2023, defining it as a clay-hosted rare earth deposit with a stated global resource of 1.8 billion tonnes (bt), containing magnet REEs such as neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. Mineralization is reported to be continuous across an area of approximately 40km², with low levels of uranium and thorium.

As the rare earth sector continues to evolve, Critica’s efforts to upgrade key areas of its existing inferred resource are a significant step forward. By investing in air core drilling and regional exploration, the company is building a strong foundation for long-term success and positioning itself for growth in a rapidly changing market.

The commencement of air core drilling at Jupiter offers significant opportunities for resource upgrade, metallurgical optimization, and study progression. Critica’s continued exploration efforts across its portfolio are building a strong foundation for long-term success and growth in the rare earth sector.