Appoints Altris Engineering as lead on Ema Feasibility Study
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
ASX Announcement
Released 15th July 2025
https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/
Investor Hub: https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/auth/signup
BCM APPOINTS ALTRIS ENGINEERING AS LEAD FOR THE EMA
RARE EARTHS BANKABLE FEASIBILITY STUDY
Newly formed Altris Engineering, to deliver both the process and
non-process infrastructure components of the Ema BFS
Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited (ASX: BCM) (“BCM” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it
has agreed to terms with Altris Engineering (Altris) for the execution of its 100% owned Ema Rare Earth
Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) in northern Brazil. It is expected the BFS will take 6-9 months to
complete.
Highlights
•
Altris Engineering: appointed as Lead Engineer for the Ema rare earth bankable feasibility study
•
Lead Engineer: to focus on both process plant engineering and selected non-process
infrastructure (NPI) engineering services, whilst coordinating the overall delivery of the BFS in
conjunction with BCM personnel
•
ANSTO: to undertake advanced process flow sheet optimisation test work from extracted
pregnant liquor solution as part of the Ema field trials
•
WSP: to conducted detailed hydrogeological modelling from Ema field trial data and final design
and quantities of materials for the setup of injection and leaching of Magnesium Sulfate
reagents
The appointment of Altris Engineering as lead consultant, alongside ANSTO, WSP, and the BCM team,
brings together a highly experienced group of specialists ready to advance the Ema Project through
detailed feasibility studies ahead of project financing discussions.
The Altris team—formerly of Primero Group Ltd—comprises highly qualified study and project
managers, engineers, and designers across all key disciplines: process, mechanical, piping,
civil/structural, electrical, and instrumentation.
Collectively, the team has delivered multiple scoping, prefeasibility, and feasibility studies, and has led
EPC and EPCM project execution for battery and critical minerals projects across multiple global
jurisdictions.
With strong experience in project delivery, Altris is recognised for producing fit-for-purpose designs that
minimise capital expenditure while maintaining high standards of operability and safety.
ANSTO has globally recognised expertise in the processing of critical and strategic metals including rare
earths and was instrumental in the delivery of the metallurgical assessment during the Ema scoping
study phase.
WSP brings substantial in-house expertise in the design, implementation, and optimisation of in-situ
recovery (ISR) mining projects across a range of commodities and global jurisdictions. Their deep
understanding of local hydrogeology, coupled with advanced modelling capabilities for solution flow,
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ABN: 82 089 221 634)
AUS: Level 28, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 T +61 8 6383 7820
BRA: Av Jornalista Riccardo Marinho, 360, Sala 113, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro T +55 21 2439 57
ASX Announcement
Released 15th July 2025
https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/
Investor Hub: https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/auth/signup
will be instrumental in the design and optimisation of the injection and recovery well system for the Ema
Project.
Andrew Reid, Managing Director, commented:
“We are extremely pleased to be partnering with Altris as our lead engineer, alongside our existing
technical collaborators ANSTO and WSP, for this critically important feasibility study at Ema.
The Ema Project is the only rare earths in-situ recovery (ISR) development of its kind in the Western
world, with a capital cost of just 1US$55 million—positioning it as potentially the lowest-cost, near-term
source of rare earth feedstock under current market conditions.
We look forward to building on the momentum of the past 12 months and continuing to add value
through practical, fit-for-purpose engineering that is grounded in sound commercial logic.”
Michael Ehlers, Managing Director Altris, commented:
“The award of this package of work to Altris showcases the depth and capability of the proposed team
and the reputation that is growing in our brand. Partnering with BCM to deliver the Ema project BFS
highlights our ability to take on global projects and deliver to the standard required for due diligence
and project financing. We look forward to working on this exciting project with Andrew and his team,
and contributing to the Ema project’s success.”
Project Development
Altris, through its Perth-based team and in collaboration with its network of partners, has been
appointed to deliver the process plant and non-process infrastructure components of the Definitive
Feasibility Study (DFS) for the Ema Project. In addition, Altris will coordinate the overall compilation and
delivery of the final DFS Report.
Working closely with the in-house BCM Project team and specialist consultants already engaged, Altris’
scope of work includes:
•
•
•
•
•
•
Review and verification of metallurgical test work and process flowsheet development
completed to date;
Finalisation of the process flowsheet and detailed design of the process plant;
Design and development of non-process infrastructure, including offices, workshops,
warehousing, water supply, site services, and water treatment facilities;
Preparation of the project implementation plan and comprehensive project risk assessment;
Estimation of capital and operating costs within Altris’ design scope, as well as the construction
costs for the water storage facility;
Coordination and delivery of the final DFS Report.
Other components of the DFS will continue to be managed directly by BCM using a combination of
internal expertise and external consultants. These consultants, already engaged on various aspects of
the DFS, will work in parallel with Altris to ensure a fully integrated and technically robust study.
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ABN: 82 089 221 634)
AUS: Level 28, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 T +61 8 6383 7820
BRA: Av Jornalista Riccardo Marinho, 360, Sala 113, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro T +55 21 2439 57
ASX Announcement
Released 15th July 2025
https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/
Investor Hub: https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/auth/signup
Activities to be pursued on the ground over the course of the next several months by the BCM team
include;
•
•
•
•
Geotechnical Investigations: A geotechnical drill program designed to obtain soil strength and
material characterisation data for foundation design and construction materials for the process
plant site;
Capture of Lidar survey data: which collects precise calculation of distances allowing for
accurate field designs;
Infrastructure Power Powerline option study design vs site generator power;
Road Site road access assessment of upgrades necessary to improve wet season access to site
has been completed.
References
1
Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) – Ema Rare Earths Scoping Study confirms low CAPEX and OPEX
26th February 2025
This announcement has been authorised for release by the Board of Directors.
Enquiries
For more information please contact:
Andrew Reid
Managing Director
Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited
Andrew.reid@braziliancriticalminerals.com
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ABN: 82 089 221 634)
AUS: Level 28, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 T +61 8 6383 7820
BRA: Av Jornalista Riccardo Marinho, 360, Sala 113, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro T +55 21 2439 57
ASX Announcement
Released 15th July 2025
https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/
Investor Hub: https://braziliancriticalminerals.com/auth/signup
Brazilian Critical Minerals Limited (BCM) is a mineral
exploration company listed on the Australian
Securities Exchange.
Its major exploration focus is Brazil, in the Apuí
region, where BCM has discovered a world class Ionic
Adsorbed Clay (IAC) Rare Earth Elements deposit. The
Ema IAC project is contained within the 781 km² of
exploration tenements within the Colider Group and
adjacent sediments.
BCM has defined an indicated and inferred MRE of
943Mt of REE’s with metallurgical recoveries
averaging 68% MREO, representing some of the
highest for these types of deposits anywhere in the
world.
The Company has converted the MRE central portion
from Inferred into the Indicated category with an
extensive drill program during 2024 which has
underpinned the scoping study and economic
analysis released in February 2025.
Ema REE Global Mineral Resource Estimate @COG 500ppm TREO
JORC
cut-off
Tonnes
TREO
NdPr
DyTb
MREO
MREO: TREO
Category
ppm TREO
Mt
ppm
ppm
ppm
ppm
%
Indicated
500
248
759
176
16
192
25
Inferred
500
695
701
165
16
181
26
Total
500
943
716
168
16
184
26
The information in this announcement relates to previously reported exploration results and mineral
resource estimates for the Ema Project released by the Company to ASX on 22 May 2023, 17 July 2023,
19 July 2023, 31 July 2023, 13 Sep 2023, 19 Oct 2023, 06 Dec 2023, 06 Feb 2024, 22 Feb 2024, 13 Mar
2024, 02 Apr 2024, 08 Oct 2024 19 Nov 2024, 21 Jan 2025, 17th Feb 2025, 26th Feb 2025, 10th March
2025, 13th March 2025, 28th April 2025 and 27th May 2025. The Company confirms that is not aware of
any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the above-mentioned
releases.
Brazilian Critical Minerals Ltd (ABN: 82 089 221 634)
AUS: Level 28, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth WA 6000 T +61 8 6383 7820
BRA: Av Jornalista Riccardo Marinho, 360, Sala 113, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro T +55 21 2439 57
Share your feedback
Discover