ABx Group (ASX:ABX) has been granted a new five-year exploration licence, EL25/2022, strengthening its position in a highly prospective rare earths region in northern Tasmania.
The 18km2 tenement sits between the company's Rubble Mound and Wind Break deposits, part of ABx's 89-million-tonne resource averaging 844 ppm total rare earth oxides.
In securing the tenement, ABx intentionally excluded non-prospective and high-value agricultural areas in line with its policy of operating only where welcomed and ensuring environmental stewardship.
The announcement follows ABx's recent collaboration with the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, which produced the company's first mixed rare earth carbonate from a Deep Leads bulk sample.
The resulting product contains 4.0% dysprosium and 0.7% terbium—more than double that of peer MRECs—giving it a basket price up to 51% higher based on current rare earth oxide pricing. ABx is now presenting these results to potential customers.
Managing Director and CEO Mark Cooksey said the new licence expands the company’s globally significant ionic rare earths project and reinforces the value of its high-grade, low-impurity ore.
"This combination of qualities is exceptionally valuable and unusual," he said, adding that the additional tenure will support the company's growing regional activities.
Meanwhile, ABx has concluded an exploration campaign targeting the high-grade T8 rare earths discovery across its eastern tenements. Assay results from this program are expected before the end of the year.
At the time of reporting, ABx Group's share price was $0.072.