CRITICAL METALS CORP NASDAQ-CRML Acquires an Integrated Rare Earth Element Assay Analysis Lab Facility to Support Faster Drilling Assay Results for 2026 Drilling Campaign at Tanbreez
Rhea-AI Summary
Critical Metals Corp (NASDAQ: CRML) ordered a turnkey Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre from Bromet for approximately US$1m to support the Tanbreez rare earth elements project and pilot plant activities.
The modular, two-unit facility uses a Bruker M4 Tornado Plus 26S Micro XRF and automated sample prep to generate full REE results in ~80 minutes, enabling an on-site "mine-to-data" workflow, reduced reliance on off-site labs, faster assay turnaround, and local training of Greenlandic personnel. Commissioning will require applicable Greenland regulatory approvals.
Positive
- Turnkey Mobile Geochemical Centre ordered for approximately US$1m
- On-site REE results achievable in ~80 minutes using Micro XRF
- Two customized 40-foot high-cube modular units for rapid deployment
- Automated sample prep supports laboratory-grade data and reproducibility
- Plans to train and employ Greenlandic personnel for operation
Negative
- Commissioning and operation subject to applicable Greenland regulatory approvals
- Facility reliance on a single integrated vendor and technology supplier
- On-site results require independent third-party oversight and validation
News Market Reaction
On the day this news was published, CRML declined 1.44%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +6.2% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -18.7% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 32 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $26M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $1.77B at that time.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Market Reality Check
Peers on Argus
CRML gained 11.17% while 5 peers (e.g., LAC, UAMY, USAS, SGML, LAR) also moved up with a median move around 5.5%. Sector momentum likely amplified the reaction to this Tanbreez-focused lab acquisition.
Historical Context
| Date | Event | Sentiment | Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 07 | Tanbreez pilot plant | Positive | +16.4% | Approved and commenced construction of Arctic-grade Tanbreez pilot-plant facility. |
| Dec 15 | Drilling results | Positive | -11.0% | Reported consistent 2024 Tanbreez drilling with solid TREO and HREO metrics. |
| Dec 11 | Met test work | Positive | +4.1% | Confirmed metallurgical test work and acquired proof-of-concept pilot plant. |
| Dec 09 | Romania JV term sheet | Positive | +6.0% | Executed 50/50 JV term sheet with Romania for rare earth processing facility. |
| Nov 25 | Wolfsberg legal update | Negative | -1.1% | Court overturned no‑EIA ruling, ordered new review for Wolfsberg project. |
Recent Tanbreez and strategic news often led to positive price reactions, though one strong drill-result update saw a negative divergence, suggesting occasional profit-taking on good news.
Over the last few months, CRML has steadily advanced Tanbreez and related downstream infrastructure. On Jan 07, 2026, it approved construction of an Arctic-grade pilot-plant facility in Greenland, which lifted shares. December 2025 brought strong Tanbreez drilling results, validated metallurgical test work for a Romanian refinery JV, and a 50:50 JV term sheet with Romania, plus a Wolfsberg lithium court update. Today’s mobile assay lab order further builds out Tanbreez’s technical and operational toolkit.
Regulatory & Risk Context
CRML has an active Form F-3 resale registration filed on Oct 20, 2025 covering up to 18,030,303 ordinary shares held by a selling securityholder. The company will not receive proceeds from resales, but could receive cash if PIPE Warrants are exercised at $7.00 or $0.0001 per share. A related 424B3 prospectus was filed on Nov 10, 2025.
Market Pulse Summary
This announcement highlights a ~US$1m investment in a mobile geochemical analysis centre designed to deliver full REE assay results in about 80 minutes, directly at Tanbreez. It follows recent progress on Greenland pilot facilities and Romanian processing plans, reinforcing a mine-to-processing strategy. Investors may track execution milestones for the lab, Tanbreez pilot plant timelines, and any further use of the existing F‑3/424B3 resale registration covering 18,030,303 shares.
Key Terms
rare earth elements medical
micro xrf technical
x-ray fluorescence (xrf) technical
environmental, social and governance (esg) financial
regulation s-k 1300 regulatory
AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.
- Strategic rationale: Critical Metals Corp has approved and ordered a turnkey Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre from Bromet to support the Tanbreez rare earths project, including pilot plant activities and ongoing project development.
- Ownership and operation: The assay laboratory is expected to be acquired by the Company and operated exclusively for CRML by trained Greenlandic personnel, with analytical results subject to oversight and validation by an independent, appropriately accredited third party.
- On-site analytical capability: The facility will incorporate a Bruker M4 Tornado Plus 26S Micro XRF system, designed to enable real-time, on-site “mine-to-data” geochemical analysis and to generate full elemental rare earth element (REE) results in approximately 80 minutes, significantly reducing assay turnaround times compared to traditional off-site laboratory processing.
- Operational efficiency and ESG considerations: The modular, mobile laboratory solution is expected to enhance exploration efficiency, grade control, and operational decision-making, while reducing reliance on off-site laboratories, sample transport requirements, and associated time delays, consistent with Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) considerations.
- Project advancement: The investment is expected to support faster data generation for future drilling campaigns, assist in the evaluation and potential expansion of mineral resources in accordance with applicable SEC Regulation S-K 1300 requirements, and improve the timeliness of information available to the Company, potential offtake partners, and shareholders.
- Regulatory approvals: Commissioning and operation of the facility in Greenland will be subject to applicable government and regulatory approvals.
NEW YORK, Jan. 12, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Critical Metals Corp. (Nasdaq: CRML) (“Critical Metals Corp” or the “Company”), a leading critical minerals mining company, today announced that it has ordered a fully turnkey Integrated ~US
Tony Sage, Chief Executive Officer of Critical Metals Corp., commented:
“The acquisition of the Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre marks a transformative milestone for Critical Metals as we propel the Tanbreez rare earths project from exploration into pre-mining pilot operations. Having the capability to perform laboratory-grade geochemical analysis directly at site is expected to significantly accelerate our data collection, sharpen real-time decision-making, and strengthen our assessment of Tanbreez’s exceptional resource potential and long-term scalability. This strategic investment reinforces our commitment to technical excellence, disciplined project advancement, and unlocking substantial value from one of the world’s most important emerging rare earths assets. It also reflects our dedication to building local capacity by supporting the training and development of Greenlandic personnel as we advance this globally significant project.”
The Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre is an industrial-grade, mobile laboratory designed to deliver real-time, on-site geochemical data directly at the mine site. This state-of-the-art facility is intended to support the Company’s proof-of-concept pilot plant by enabling rapid, laboratory-grade elemental analysis of samples derived from drill core and pilot plant material. The system incorporates crushing and sample preparation capabilities together with automated Micro XRF analysis, and is designed to generate full rare earth element (REE) results in under approximately 80 minutes using a Bruker M4 Tornado Plus 26S Micro XRF system and associated software.
The system is designed to enable a “Mine-to-Data” workflow, which is expected to materially reduce assay turnaround times compared to traditional off-site laboratory processing and support more timely decision-making across exploration, grade control, and mine planning activities. By providing laboratory-grade analytical capability on site, Critical Metals expects to reduce reliance on external laboratories and enhance the speed of geological interpretation and operational execution.
The facility comprises two customized 40-foot high-cube modular units designed for rapid deployment and relocation, supporting both early-stage exploration and ongoing production activities. The system has been configured to operate in Greenlandic conditions.
Module A provides automated, high-throughput sample preparation, including crushing, representative sub-sampling, pulverizing, and drying. The module incorporates integrated dust control, safety systems, and environmental safeguards to meet stringent industrial occupational health, safety, and environmental standards.
Module B houses a climate-controlled state of the art X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analytical and data processing laboratory. This module includes pellet pressing, precision weighing, and contamination-controlled workspaces intended to support analytical accuracy, data integrity, and reproducibility. The automated workflow is designed to minimize human error and generate consistent, verifiable datasets suitable for internal decision-making and public disclosure.
The solution aligns strongly with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations through advanced dust extraction systems, safety interlocks, and reduced sample transport requirements. Its modular and mobile design is expected to enhance asset utilization across multiple projects, providing a scalable and repeatable platform as the Company advances its broader development strategy.
Management believes that the addition of the Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre further strengthens Critical Metals’ technically capability and execution focus, supporting development activities at the Tanbreez project while contributing to the training and development of Greenlandic personnel.
Figure 1. Sample Preparation Area
Figure 2. XRF Lab External View
Figure 3. Micro XRF and Geo-chemical Software
Figure 4. Sample Prep Lab Layout
Figure 5. XRF Room Layout
About Critical Metals Corp.
Critical Metals Corp (Nasdaq: CRML) is a leading mining development company focused on critical metals and minerals, and producing strategic products essential to electrification and next generation technologies for Europe and its western world partners. Its flagship Project, Tanbreez, is one of the world's largest, rare-earth deposits and is in Southern Greenland. The deposit is expected to have access to key transportation outlets as the area features year-round direct shipping access via deep water fjords that lead directly to the North Atlantic Ocean.
Another key asset is the Wolfsberg Lithium Project located in Carinthia, 270 km south of Vienna, Austria. The Wolfsberg Lithium Project is the first fully permitted mine in Europe and is strategically located with access to established road and rail infrastructure and is expected to be the next major producer of key lithium products to support the European market. Wolfsberg is well positioned with offtake and downstream partners to become a unique and valuable asset in an expanding geostrategic critical metals portfolio.
With this strategic asset portfolio, Critical Metals Corp is positioned to become a reliable and sustainable supplier of critical minerals essential for defense applications, the clean energy transition, and next-generation technologies in the western world.
For more information, please visit https://www.criticalmetalscorp.com/.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Forward-looking statements may include expectations of our business and the plans and objectives of management for future operations. These statements constitute projections, forecasts and forward-looking statements, and do not guarantee performance. Such statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. When used in this news release, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “estimate,” “plan,” “project,” “forecast,” “intend,” “will,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “seek,” “target,” “designed to” or other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical facts. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors discussed under the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this news release, and expectations, forecasts and assumptions as of that date, involve several judgments, risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.
Critical Metals Corp.
Investor Relations: ir@criticalmetalscorp.com
Media: pr@criticalmetalscorp.com
Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
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FAQ
What did Critical Metals Corp (CRML) announce on January 12, 2026 about Tanbreez?
How fast will the new CRML mobile lab produce rare earth element (REE) results?
What components does the CRML Integrated Mobile Geochemical Analysis Centre include?
Will the CRML mobile lab reduce turnaround times for drilling assays at Tanbreez?
Who will operate the CRML mobile laboratory at Tanbreez?
Are there regulatory conditions for CRML to commission the mobile lab in Greenland?
