Agreement With Rio Tinto Unlocks Potential Development of BRE's Advanced High-Grade Bauxite-Gallium Project
Rhea-AI Summary
Brazilian Rare Earths (BRELY) has restructured its agreement with Rio Tinto Brazil regarding the Amargosa Bauxite Project, replacing a US$40m milestone payment with a US$1.00/wet tonne royalty on future bauxite sales.
The project, acquired from Rio Tinto in 2023, features extensive exploration data including 56,919 metres of drilling across 4,257 holes. Recent drilling has revealed high-grade bauxite zones with intercepts of 27.5 metres at 51.3% total available alumina content.
A significant discovery has been made with the re-assaying of 1,275 bauxite samples, revealing exceptional gallium grades up to 190 ppm Ga2O3, with a mean grade of 75 ppm Ga2O3, positioning Amargosa among the highest-grade undeveloped gallium prospects globally.
The company has engaged RPM Global to accelerate development activities for a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study, aiming to capitalize on rising demand and supply chain constraints in global bauxite and gallium markets.
Positive
- Restructured payment terms reduce upfront capital requirements
- High-grade gallium discovery with exceptional grades up to 190 ppm Ga2O3
- Extensive existing exploration data (56,919m drilling) reduces development time and costs
- High-grade bauxite content confirmed with 51.3% alumina intercepts
- Strategic positioning to supply growing bauxite and gallium markets
Negative
- Ongoing royalty payments may impact long-term profitability
- Additional capital required for JORC compliance and development studies
- Project still in early development stage without defined resources
News Market Reaction – BRELY
On the day this news was published, BRELY declined 11.85%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
SYDNEY, April 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brazilian Rare Earths Limited (ASX: BRE / OTCQX: BRELY) (BRE) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding agreement with Rio de Contas Desenvolvimentos Minerais Ltda. (Rio Tinto Brazil) to amend the Amargosa Tenement Acquisition Agreement.
Amargosa Bauxite Project
- Amargosa is an advanced stage, large-scale bauxite project acquired from Rio Tinto in 2023, adjacent to select BRE rare earth tenements in Bahia, Brazil
- The large-scale bauxite project benefits from over 10 years of exploration by Rio Tinto, including 56,919 metres of drilling across 4,257 holes and detailed geological data sets
- Exploration to date has confirmed thick, high-grade bauxite zones from surface, including intercepts such as 27.5 metres at
51.3% total available alumina content with low levels of reactive silica and iron - BRE and Rio Tinto have signed a binding agreement to replace the existing US
$40m bauxite milestone payment at the Amargosa Bauxite Project with a fixed US$1.00 /wet tonne royalty on future bauxite sales
High-Grade Gallium Discovery
- BRE has re-assayed 1,275 Rio Tinto bauxite samples collected at the Pelé Bauxite Project
- New, high-grade gallium discovery confirmed with exceptional grades of up to 190 ppm Ga2O3, with a mean grade of 75 ppm Ga2O3
- These assay results place Amargosa among the highest-grade undeveloped gallium prospects globally, with the potential to deliver strategic gallium supply amid ongoing geopolitical disruptions to global gallium markets
Amargosa Bauxite-Gallium Project Development
- Given the potential scale and quality of the bauxite-gallium prospects, BRE will rapidly advance the Amargosa bauxite-gallium project, and has engaged RPM Global to accelerate development activities for a JORC-compliant Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study
- Amargosa is strategically positioned to supply seaborne bauxite and gallium markets facing rising demand and geopolitical risks
Brazilian Rare Earths’ CEO and MD, Bernardo da Veiga, commented:
“Global bauxite and gallium markets are underpinned by compelling structural trends - strong demand, constrained supply, and rising geopolitical risks to supply chains.
We are focussed on advancing our world-class, high-grade rare earth province - and this successful restructuring of the Rio Tinto agreement enhances our strategic flexibility to create long-term value for shareholders.”
A link to the full announcement can be found here.
Contacts
Bernardo Da Veiga, Managing Director and CEO
investors@brazilianrareearths.com
www.brazilianrareearths.com
FAQ
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