ABx Looks To Extend High-Grade Rare Earths Discovery in Tasmania

ABx Group (ASX: ABX) is pressing ahead with drilling at its T8 rare earths discovery in northern Tasmania, where early signs point to significant extensions of high-grade, clay-hosted mineralisation enriched in the coveted heavy rare earths dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb).

The company’s latest scout drilling campaign has intersected mineralisation as shallow as 0.5 metres from surface, underscoring the potential for low-cost, low-impact development. The campaign builds on initial success from May this year, with ABx confirming the new holes are targeting extensions along strike from discovery hole TB008 — a standout intersection that ended in mineralisation.

“ABx is excited to be finding extensions of this shallow target horizon that hosts the T8 high-grade rare earth mineralisation,” said Managing Director Dr Mark Cooksey. “Our REE mineralisation in northern Tasmania is exceptionally high grade in Dy and Tb, which is potentially globally significant and unmatched in Australia.”

Indeed, ABx is laying claim to the highest grades of dysprosium and terbium among all known ionic adsorption clay (IAC) deposits in Australia, and potentially among the best globally. These two rare earths are critical components in permanent magnets used across electric vehicles, wind turbines, smartphones, and defence technologies.

The current drilling, enabled by lightweight auger rigs that minimise disruption to the grazing land overlaying the deposit, is part of ABx’s broader plan to develop a rapid, environmentally sensitive rare earths operation. The shallow nature of the resource — typically starting at just half a metre depth — makes the project particularly suited for near-term development.

Further lifting the strategic potential of the project is ABx’s partnership with US-based Ucore Rare Metals. Under a Memorandum of Understanding, ABx is set to supply feedstock to Ucore’s planned Strategic Metals Complex in Louisiana — a project backed by the US Government. The link reflects growing international interest in secure, non-Chinese supply chains for heavy rare earths, especially in light of recent Chinese export restrictions on Dy and Tb.

“China’s restriction on exports of critical heavy rare earths sends a clear message to the global market,” said Dr Cooksey. “ABx is in a unique position with its Dy and Tb-rich shallow clay-hosted deposit in a stable jurisdiction.”

ABx is also awaiting results from ANSTO’s processing of a bulk sample from its Deep Leads project, which is expected to yield the first mixed rare earth carbonate product from its Tasmanian operations — a critical milestone that could fast-track commercial discussions with downstream processors and off-takers.

With government approvals secured and landholder access in place, ABx is continuing to drill the Temple Bar area within tenement EL27/2025, some 52 kilometres east of its existing REE resource base. Assays from the current campaign are pending, but expectations are high given the consistency of the clay horizon and the company's past success.

As the global rare earths supply chain undergoes realignment, ABx is carving out a niche as a domestic supplier of the most strategically vital elements, all while sticking to its mantra of low-impact, responsible development.