Critica has commenced a scoping study at the Jupiter Rare Earth Project in Western Australia (WA), signifying a major move from technical validation to organised project development.

Sedgman has been appointed to lead this phase, with support from Snowden Optiro and SRK Consulting.

The study aims to convert Jupiter's scale, beneficiation performance and jurisdictional benefits into a well-defined and cost-effective development plan, laying the groundwork for future feasibility stages.

It is expected to establish baseline project economics including design inputs and preliminary cost assumptions.

The timeline targets completion in the first half of 2026 (H1 2026), contingent on the work programme and other essential factors.

Critica is also conducting metallurgical testwork at specialist laboratories including the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation to optimise its mixed rare earth product pathway.

Additionally, a pilot-scale beneficiation programme is under way with GAVAQ to validate the "beneficiate-first" flowsheet.

Subject to outcomes and approvals, Critica's indicative development schedule includes a pre-feasibility study in H2 2026 and a definitive feasibility study in 2027.

A final investment decision is anticipated by 2029, with construction and commissioning also targeted for the same year.

In parallel with these studies, Critica plans further drilling campaigns to optimise resources and support the scoping study.

Critica CEO Jacob Deysel said: “Jupiter is differentiated not just by its scale but by its simplicity – a clay-hosted system with demonstrated beneficiation performance that provides a strong potential for a capital-efficient project configuration and development option.

“With Sedgman’s rare earth experience, combined with Snowden Optiro’s mining capability and SRK’s resource oversight, we have an experienced team to convert Jupiter’s technical strengths into a robust and defensible development pathway.”