Northern Minerals has reported encouraging early results from metallurgical test work that could broaden feedstock at the Browns Range heavy rare earths project in Western Australia.
In a statement, the company said preliminary studies on blended material from its Wolverine and Dazzler deposits confirmed favourable rare earth recovery results, potentially enhancing the project’s processing profile.
The Wolverine-Dazzler blending study is aimed at optimising outcomes from the 2025 Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS).
Northern Minerals reported initial total rare earth oxide recoveries of around 79 per cent from Wolverine-Dazzler blends, aligned with processing objectives set out in the DFS.
“Preliminary metallurgical work on the Wolverine-Dazzler blend has delivered positive results and supports further evaluation of integrating Dazzler material into Browns Range feed,” Northern Minerals managing director Shane Hartwig said.
“This has the potential to expand feed supply and optimise production outcomes for the Project.”
The company highlighted that Dazzler, located about 15 kilometres south of Wolverine, is a smaller but higher-grade deposit than the current DFS base case. Blending early stage material from Dazzler with Wolverine ore could increase rare earth concentrate output in the initial phases of processing under consideration.
Northern Minerals said all blended material met targeted concentrate specifications, and further test work will now seek to refine recovery performance. An updated mineral resource estimate for Dazzler is expected in the fourth quarter of the 2026 financial year.
The results mark a key step as the company continues to advance Browns Range toward development, with the Wolverine deposit already central to the project’s viability.
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