IMC Rare Earths Reports 95% Terbium Recovery at Itarantim
Brazilian miner IMC Rare Earths achieved peak terbium recovery of 95.2% in lab tests at its Itarantim project, validating the economic viability of its 1.1-billion-tonne deposit for magnet-grade rare earths.
IMC Rare Earths has reported that laboratory testing at its Itarantim project in Brazil yielded terbium recovery rates of up to 95.2%. The company, which holds an inferred resource of 1.1 billion tonnes of ionic adsorption clay, successfully produced a mixed rare earth carbonate during the metallurgical testwork. These results indicate that the deposit can process key magnet materials economically, reducing reliance on Chinese supply chains for high-temperature permanent magnets.
The Itarantim deposit spans Bahia and Minas Gerais and contains neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium. IMC stated that the material from a 105.8-million-tonne inferred domain contains an average of 8 parts per million terbium. The successful leaching process confirms that the rare earth elements are loosely attached to the clay minerals, allowing for their release through standard extraction methods. This technical validation supports the project's potential as a diversified source of critical minerals for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems.
Metallurgical tests confirm extraction efficiency
Collaboration with the Instituto Federal do Rio Grande do Norte and its CT Mineral laboratory produced the best-performing composite, labeled COMP C2. In this configuration, terbium recovery averaged 81.1% with a peak of 95.2%. Recovery rates are a more critical metric than initial concentration because they determine the cost of processing the ore. The results demonstrate that the ionic adsorption clay geology allows for effective leaching, a prerequisite for commercial viability in the rare earth sector.
IMC highlighted that terbium and dysprosium are among the scarcest and most sought-after elements for industrial applications. The company reported strong leach recoveries for dysprosium as well, reinforcing the deposit's value for high-performance magnets. By producing a mixed rare earth carbonate, IMC has established a baseline for downstream processing. This step is essential for separating individual elements, which requires further refinement to meet purity standards for magnet manufacturing.
Strategic role in global supply diversification
The concentration of rare earth processing capacity in China has made supply chain security a priority for governments and corporations. Brazil’s position as a major mineral producer makes the Itarantim project a significant candidate for diversifying this supply. Frank Scolaro, CEO and chair of IMC Rare Earths, noted a global awakening regarding the need for diverse rare earth sources. The project aligns with broader efforts by nations including the US, Australia, and Canada to build alternative processing hubs outside of China.
Next steps for commercial validation
Despite the positive laboratory results, the project requires additional technical work to establish commercial potential. IMC has engaged ANSTO Minerals to conduct further quantitative metallurgical testing. This next phase will provide detailed data on recovery rates and the specific properties of the mixed rare earth carbonate produced from Itarantim material. The company remains in the testing stage, and no production timeline has been announced. Investors should monitor the upcoming data for confirmation of processing economics and purity levels required for industrial magnet applications.
