Victory Metals has unveiled major grade increases in three critical heavy rare earth elements at its North Stanmore project in Western Australia.
Through a simple, low-cost beneficiation process, Victory achieved significant grade improvements in terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy) and scandium (Sc), without the need for complex reagents or expensive processing circuits.
The -10.8 micron size-by-fraction separation boosted terbium grades by 53 per cent, dysprosium by 25 per cent, and scandium by 100 per cent.
“This is an incredible outcome at a time when the world’s understanding of the importance of these critical and strategic minerals is rapidly growing,” Victory chief executive officer and executive director Brendan Clark said.
“With a simple and low-cost size fractionation step, we’ve delivered significant grade increases in three of the world’s most strategically important elements – terbium, dysprosium and scandium.”
Clark said that the breakthrough comes at a pivotal moment as governments move to secure non-Chinese supply amid China’s proposed export bans on these elements due to their important role in military applications.
“Projects like North Stanmore become even more critical,” he said. “Our results show we can concentrate the value upfront, potentially lowering operating costs and boosting payables.”
Testing by ALS Metallurgy in Perth confirmed that cyclosizing the feed ore to a <10.8 µm fraction delivered a 42 per cent overall grade increase while reducing the mass to be processed by around 73 per cent – offering a potential low-capex, low-opex front-end upgrade option.
Terbium, dysprosium and scandium are essential for high-performance magnets, fighter jets, submarines, drones, and guidance systems.
With China’s new export restrictions set to take effect on December 1, 2025, Victory’s North Stanmore project is fast emerging as a key contributor.
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