Metallium has directly converted raw, unbeneficiated rare earth ore into a mixed rare earth chloride product grading more than 83 per cent by weight, opening a potential route to simplify the front end of conventional rare earth processing. The feed material contained about 12 per cent total rare earth oxides and had undergone only crushing and grinding, with no prior beneficiation or concentration. Metallium managing director and chief executive officer Michael Walshe said the rare earth campaign highlighted the broader potential of the company’s technology. “We are particularly encouraged by the rare earth results. Producing a high-grade rare earth chloride intermediate directly from raw, unbeneficiated ore demonstrates the potential to materially simplify the front end of conventional rare earth processing,” he said.