Axel REE is moving rapidly to expand its Caladão project in Brazil’s Lithium Valley, with the commencement of a mineral resource estimate (MRE) at Area B.
The project is positioning itself as a critical source of gallium and rare earth elements (REE), two materials increasingly essential for clean-energy technologies and high-tech manufacturing worldwide.
GE21 Consultoria Mineral Ltda (GE21), a leading Brazilian mining consultancy, has been appointed to deliver a JORC-compliant estimate for Area B.
The firm brings experience with global mining majors, including Anglo American, BHP and Ero Copper, as well as ASX-listed companies such as St George Mining and Aguia Resources.
“The commencement of the mineral resource estimate for Area B by GE21 is another important milestone for Axel to demonstrate the scale of the Caladão project,” Axel REE non-executive chair Paul Dickson said.
“Drilling has already confirmed strong gallium and REE enrichment, where drilling has confirmed strong gallium and REE enrichment within lateritic and weathered profiles.
“The forthcoming MRE’s will build on the existing dual 233-million-tonne [Mt] REE and 100Mt gallium resources already defined at Area A with the potential to demonstrate Caladão as an advanced REE–gallium project in Brazil.”
Recent drilling at Area B has returned high gallium concentrations, up to 128 parts per million (ppm) gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃), closely aligned with REE-enriched horizons.
Unlike many gallium sources, which are by-products of bauxite, Caladão targets a stand-alone, in-situ deposit. This provides an opportunity for global strategic diversification, especially since China currently controls around 96 per cent of the world’s primary gallium supply.
The MRE is expected to be completed by December and will support metallurgical testing and economic assessments.
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