New Frontier Minerals Rare Earth Discovery Yields Exceptional HREO Ratios

Exceptional Heavy Rare Earth Discovery Positions New Frontier Minerals as Critical Supplier

New Frontier Minerals (ASX: NFM) has announced outstanding results from its Harts Range Project bulk sampling program, revealing exceptional heavy rare earth grades with a remarkable HREO/TREO ratio of 94.8%, positioning the company as a potential critical non-Chinese source of critical magnet metals.

Breakthrough Bulk Sample Results Confirm High-Grade Potential

Results from a 25kg bulk sample taken from the Cusp Prospect at NFM's Harts Range Project have returned 1.72% Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO), including 0.19% dysprosium oxide and 0.03% terbium oxide. The sample also revealed exceptional niobium enrichment of 4.51% Nb₂O₅ and tantalum values of 0.91% Ta₂O₅.

What makes these results particularly significant is the remarkably high heavy rare earth oxide to total rare earth oxide (HREO/TREO) ratio of 94.8%. This indicates the Cusp Prospect is predominantly enriched with heavy rare earth elements, which are particularly valuable in high-tech applications.

"These results from our bulk sample at the Cusp Prospect further reinforce the exceptional potential of our Harts Range Project," commented Chairman Gerrard Hall. "The assays demonstrate not only outstanding rare earth grades, with a heavy rare earth enrichment ratio above 94%, but also outstanding niobium and tantalum grades that are rarely seen at surface."

Strategic Importance in Global Supply Chain

The New Frontier Minerals rare earth discovery holds significant strategic importance as global supply of heavy rare earths is currently dominated by China. With geopolitical tensions increasing concerns about supply security, New Frontier's Harts Range Project could emerge as a crucial non-Chinese source of these critical materials.

The combined dysprosium and terbium distribution at the Cusp Prospect makes up 13.09% of the TREO basket mix, which is particularly significant as these elements are essential components in permanent magnets used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and other green technologies.

Understanding Heavy Rare Earth Elements: Why They Matter

Heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) are a subset of the 17 rare earth elements that have higher atomic weights. They are typically scarcer and more valuable than their light rare earth counterparts.

Dysprosium and terbium are particularly critical among the HREEs as they are essential for manufacturing high-performance permanent magnets that can operate at high temperatures. These magnets are crucial components in electric vehicle motors, wind turbine generators, and various defence applications.

The exceptionally high HREO/TREO ratio of 94.8% at Harts Range is exceptional compared to most rare earth deposits globally, which typically contain a much higher proportion of less valuable light rare earths. This positions New Frontier's project as particularly attractive for potential offtake partners in the global magnet supply chain.

Consistent High-Grade Results Across the Prospect

The latest bulk sample results align with previous rock chip sampling at the Cusp Prospect, which returned grades as high as:

• 16.61% TREO including 1.94% Dy₂O₃ and 0.31% Tb₄O₇
• 33.19% Nb₂O₅ and up to 13.43% Ta₂O₅
• HREO/TREO ratios consistently above 80%

These consistent high-grade results across multiple samples strengthen the case for Harts Range being a potentially world-class heavy rare earth and niobium project.

Upcoming Catalyst: Maiden Drilling Program

New Frontier Minerals has initiated the regulatory approval process for its maiden Reverse Circulation (RC) drilling program at Harts Range, targeted to commence in Q3 2025, subject to regulatory approvals.

The drilling program will target multiple prospects including Cusp, Bobs, Paddington, Westminster, Old Trafford, and Headingly. This will be pivotal in determining the scale of the mineralised system and potentially establishing a resource estimate.

Additionally, the company is assessing both conventional and novel processing options for the HRE-enriched material, with the aim of accelerating the pathway to commercialisation and enabling future offtake discussions with global magnet supply chain participants.

Why Investors Should Follow New Frontier Minerals

The New Frontier Minerals rare earth discovery presents a compelling investment opportunity for several key reasons:

1. Strategic Resource Position: With global heavy rare earth supply dominated by China, NFM's Harts Range Project could become a critical non-Chinese source of these strategic materials.

2. Exceptional Grades: The combination of high TREO grades (up to 17.83% in rock chips) and outstanding niobium values (up to 33.19%) positions Harts Range among the highest-grade rare earth and niobium projects globally.

3. Ideal Resource Mix: The exceptionally high HREO/TREO ratio of 94.8% means the project is enriched with the most valuable rare earth elements, particularly dysprosium and terbium, which command premium prices.

4. Multiple Catalysts Ahead: The upcoming drilling program represents a significant potential value inflection point, with successful results likely to drive substantial revaluation.

5. Accelerated Development Potential: By investigating both conventional and novel processing options, NFM is working to fast-track the path to commercialisation and potential offtake agreements.

As the world increasingly focuses on securing supply chains for critical materials essential to the green energy transition, New Frontier Minerals' Harts Range Project stands out as one of the most promising emerging sources of heavy rare earths and niobium outside of China.

The New Frontier Minerals rare earth discovery at Harts Range demonstrates the project's potential to become a globally significant supplier of critical elements essential for the clean energy transition and high-tech applications. With drilling planned for Q3 2025, investors will be watching closely as the company works to define the full scale and potential of this exceptional mineral resource.

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