Axel REE (ASX:AXL) has selected the Woolrich deposit within its Caladão Project as the site for its inaugural in situ recovery field trial.
Situated in Brazil's prolific Lithium Valley, the Woolrich deposit was chosen following successful magnesium sulphate leach tests that confirmed the site’s status as a high-quality ionic-adsorption clay system.
The trial marks a pivotal moment for the company as it moves towards establishing a functioning wellfield model designed to extract high-value rare earth elements under realistic operating conditions.
The field trial will cover approximately two hectares, focusing on a high-grade zone where previous auger intersections returned soluble total rare earth oxide grades averaging 464 parts per million.
The mineralisation profile notably parallels established operations, such as the Gerik ISR mine in Malaysia.
To ensure technical success, Axel REE is assembling a multidisciplinary team to monitor key parameters, including permeability, reagent consumption, and hydraulic control.
The Woolrich site offers a unique geological advantage, featuring a lateritic regolith for effective leachant distribution and a natural bedrock boundary to contain the process.
Data harvested from the trial will be sent to Core Resources in Australia to produce a mixed rare earth carbonate.
At the time of reporting, Axel REE’s share price was $0.070.