Atlas Critical Minerals Reports Strong Initial Results from Its Ipora Ionic Clay Rare Earths Project

Rhea-AI Summary

Atlas Critical Minerals (OTCQB: JUPGF) has reported promising initial results from its Iporá Rare Earths Project in Goiás State, Brazil. The project revealed significant drilling intercepts, including 8 meters at 2,071 ppm TREO (total rare earths oxides) and 775 ppm MREO (magnetic rare earths oxides) in drillhole DHIP-0006.

Initial metallurgical testing demonstrated strong recovery rates, with MREO recovery exceeding 60% for critical permanent magnet elements, 55% HREO recovery, and 63% Yttrium recovery. The project spans 18,615 hectares across 12 mineral rights, targeting ion-adsorption clay deposits similar to those dominating global heavy rare earth production in China.

The company's diversified portfolio strategy includes both the Iporá Project and the Alto do Paranaíba Project, offering multiple pathways to rare earth production through different deposit types.

Positive

• High-grade drilling results with peak intervals of 3,822 ppm TREO
• Strong metallurgical recovery rates exceeding 60% for critical magnetic rare earth elements
• Strategic location in Goiás State near Serra Verde, one of few integrated rare earth operations outside Asia
• Diversified portfolio with two distinct rare earth deposit types reducing geological risk

Negative

• Standard condition TREO recovery rates currently at only 36%
• Project still in early exploration phase requiring additional drilling programs
• Further metallurgical optimization work needed to enhance recovery rates

Initial Processing Studies Show Recovery Rates Exceeding 60% for High-Value Magnetic Rare Earths

Belo Horizonte, Brazil--(Newsfile Corp. - September 16, 2025) - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (OTCQB: JUPGF) ("Atlas Critical Minerals" or the "Company"), an exploration company focused on critical minerals for defense applications and electrification, is pleased to announce highly encouraging initial results from its Iporá Rare Earths Project (the "Project") located in Goiás State, Brazil. The Company has retained SGS Canada Inc. ("SGS"), a premier mineral evaluation company, to prepare a Technical Report Summary regarding the Project under the U.S. guidelines of Item 1300 of Regulation S-K ("Regulation S-K 1300"). Marc-Antoine Laporte from SGS is the Qualified Person for the Project under Regulation S-K 1300.

Key Highlights

• High-grade drilling intercepts include 8 meters at 2,071 ppm TREO (total rare earths oxides) and 775 ppm MREO (magnetic rare earths oxides) in drillhole DHIP-0006, with a peak 1-meter interval of 3,822 ppm TREO and 1,803 ppm MREO
• Extensive mineralized zones confirmed with multiple drillholes exceeding 1,000 ppm TREO across 8-11 meter near-surface intervals, including:
  • DHIP-00002: 11.4 m at 1,650 ppm TREO and 468 ppm MREO
  • DHIP-00003: 8 m at 1,278 ppm TREO and 306 ppm MREO
  • DHIP-00001: 8.38 m at 1,159 ppm TREO and 306 ppm MREO
• Strong metallurgical results with initial ionic adsorption clay (IAC) leaching tests achieving:
  • TREO recovery rates of 36% using standard conditions
  • MREO recovery rates exceeding 60% for critical permanent magnet elements
  • Heavy Rare Earth Oxides (HREO) recovery rates of 55%
  • Yttrium recovery rates of 63%
• Strategic location advantage: The Project is in Goiás State, home to Serra Verde, one of the only integrated rare earths mining and processing operations outside of Asia

Iporá Rare Earth Project Overview

The Iporá Project comprises 12 mineral rights covering 18,615 hectares (~ 46,000 acres) in western Goiás State. The June/July 2025 field campaign included geological mapping of 4 permits, collection of 161 surface samples, and 18 auger drill holes totaling 171 meters. The project targets ion-adsorption clay ("IAC") deposits, similar to those in southern China that dominate global heavy rare earth production.

Surface sampling results validated the drilling program, with laterite samples above alkaline complex rocks achieving grades up to 1,366 ppm TREO and 247 ppm MREO. The geological setting features regolith-hosted mineralization associated with the Goiás Alkaline Province ("GAP") and Iporá Granite, creating favorable conditions for ionic clay deposits.

Outstanding Initial Processing Results

We believe that the Company's initial metallurgical testing program demonstrates the high-quality nature of the Iporá mineralization. Under standard leaching conditions, the project achieved impressive recovery rates across all rare earth elements. Applying a sample cutoff that ensured a minimum TREO recovery of 25%, the results showed strong average recovery of valuable components, with particularly robust performance for the most economically significant elements:

• MREO: 44% average recovery, with peak rates exceeding 60%
• HREO: 55% average recovery
• Yttrium: 63% average recovery

These results are particularly significant as magnetic rare earths (neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium) are essential for permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense applications.

It is important to note that the processing studies included variability testing under different conditions, with optimization work showing potential for significantly enhanced recoveries through adjusted pH and particle size parameters.

As the next steps, the Company plans to advance the Iporá Project through expanded drilling programs targeting the most prospective laterite zones, with particular focus on areas showing optimal intersection of high grades and strong leaching characteristics. Additional metallurgical optimization work will continue to enhance recovery rates.

Diversified Rare Earth Portfolio Strategy

The results from the Iporá Project complement Atlas Critical Minerals' previously announced Alto do Paranaíba Project, creating a compelling diversified rare earth strategy. In August 2025, the Company filed a Technical Report Summary for Alto do Paranaíba, which demonstrated high-grade mineralization up to 28,870 ppm TREO within the Mata da Corda Group, representing a conglomerate-hosted rare earth deposit. With Iporá's ionic clay mineralization and Alto do Paranaíba's conglomerate-hosted system, Atlas Critical Minerals now controls two distinct rare earth deposit types across its Brazilian portfolio. This diversification provides significant strategic advantages, including reduced geological risk through multiple deposit styles, varied metallurgical processing approaches that may offer different cost structures and recovery rates, and enhanced optionality for development sequencing. Ionic clay deposits typically offer simpler processing with lower capital requirements, while conglomerate-hosted deposits can provide larger-scale resources. Together, we believe that these complementary projects position Atlas Critical Minerals as a leading rare earth explorers in Brazil with multiple pathways to production across different market conditions and technical scenarios.

About Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation

Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation (OTCQB: JUPGF) controls a large portfolio of critical mineral rights in Brazil, encompassing over 218,000 hectares, and including projects in rare earths, titanium, and graphite - minerals essential for defense applications and electrification. The Company's Iron Quadrangle Project is expected to generate initial revenues in the fourth quarter of 2025. More information is available on the Company's website at www.atlascriticalminerals.com and in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press 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. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current plans, estimates and projections of Atlas Critical Minerals and its subsidiaries and are subject to inherent risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Risks related to the Company and its subsidiaries are discussed in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's Form 20-F filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 28, 2025. Please also refer to the Company's other filings with the SEC, all of which are available at www.sec.gov. In addition, any forward-looking statements represent the Company's views only as of today and should not be relied upon as representing its views as of any subsequent date. The Company explicitly disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Investor Relations
Brian W. Bernier
Vice President, Investor Relations
+1 (833) 661-7900
brian.bernier@atlas-cm.com
https://www.atlascriticalminerals.com/
@Atlas_Crit_Min

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/266560

FAQ

What are the key drilling results from Atlas Critical Minerals' Iporá Project?

The project reported high-grade intercepts of 8 meters at 2,071 ppm TREO and 775 ppm MREO in drillhole DHIP-0006, with multiple drillholes exceeding 1,000 ppm TREO across 8-11 meter near-surface intervals.

What are the recovery rates achieved at JUPGF's Iporá Rare Earths Project?

The project achieved MREO recovery rates exceeding 60% for critical permanent magnet elements, 55% HREO recovery, and 63% Yttrium recovery, while standard TREO recovery rates were 36%.

How large is Atlas Critical Minerals' Iporá Project in Brazil?

The Iporá Project comprises 12 mineral rights covering 18,615 hectares (approximately 46,000 acres) in western Goiás State, Brazil.

What is Atlas Critical Minerals' strategy for rare earth development?

Atlas Critical Minerals pursues a diversified portfolio strategy with two distinct deposit types: ionic clay mineralization at Iporá and conglomerate-hosted system at Alto do Paranaíba, providing multiple pathways to production and reduced geological risk.

Where is JUPGF's Iporá Rare Earths Project located and why is it significant?

The project is located in Goiás State, Brazil, strategically positioned near Serra Verde, one of the only integrated rare earths mining and processing operations outside of Asia. It targets ion-adsorption clay deposits similar to those dominating global heavy rare earth production in China.