Brazilian Rare Earths Limited has successfully commissioned its Stage I metallurgical pilot plant at Camaçari in Bahia, Brazil, producing its first rare earth mineral concentrate to supply ongoing pre-feasibility study test work for the Monte Alto project.

The initial beneficiation circuit milestone moves the company into a bulk-scale metallurgical test work program designed to generate operating data for processing design, equipment selection, and cost estimates. The Monte Alto project was the subject of an August 2026 scoping study that estimated an after-tax net present value of approximately US$6 billion and an internal rate of return of approximately 90%.

“With the Stage I pilot plant successfully commissioned, we are now advancing our bulk metallurgical test work program that will underpin our feasibility studies. First rare earth mineral concentrate production at the pilot plant gives us a platform to test processing options at larger scale and generate the data needed for engineering decisions.”

— Bernardo da Veiga, CEO & Managing Director

Previous scheduling from March 2026 targeted pilot plant operations to commence in Q3 2026. Building on the Stage I start, Brazilian Rare Earths has renewed its development partnership with SENAI CIMATEC to advance a Stage II hydrometallurgical pilot plant at the Camaçari facility. SENAI CIMATEC and partner organisations are contributing R$6.4 million, equivalent to approximately A$1.7 million, to cover roughly 59% of expected capital and operating costs for Stage II. This award brings total co-funding support for the Camaçari pilot plant to R$14.6 million, or approximately A$3.9 million.

Equipment for the Stage II hydrometallurgical pilot plant is expected to arrive on-site at Camaçari in Q4 2026. Commissioning of the unit is planned for Q2 2027 to extend testing through hydrometallurgical extraction and separation, with the goal of producing neodymium-praseodymium oxide, heavy rare earth concentrate, and uranium yellowcake. French separation specialist Carester is leading the separation workstream across the program and supporting engineering, design, and commissioning for the planned Camaçari refinery.

The technical advancement at Camaçari coincides with regional exploration activity in the surrounding district, where Magnum Mining and Exploration reported shallow rare earth intersections from a reverse-circulation drilling program at its Palmares project.

Regional exploration and pilot plant commissioning highlight the broader activity across the Bahia rare earth sector.

Read the full announcement: BRE Commissions Pilot Plant; Co-Funding Secured for Stage II Hydromet Pilot Plant