Australia’s Critica Ltd. advances rare earth project to reduce global reliance on China.

Rare earths are seeing a global surge due to clean energy demand and geopolitical shifts, with the U.S. and companies like Apple and the Department of Defense investing in alternatives to China. Australia’s Critica Ltd. is emerging as a key player with its large, high-grade Jupiter deposit in Western Australia, rich in critical magnet metals. Despite challenges in processing its rare, non-ionic clay-based rare earths, Critica is advancing a pilot plant with expert support and collaboration with ANSTO to develop a viable processing method, aiming to diversify global supply chains.