Northern Stanmore Rare Earth Mine in Western Australia Rich in Hafnium

Published: Feb 13, 2026 10:45

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Victory Metals has achieved a breakthrough in processing tests at its Northern Stanmore heavy rare earth project in Western Australia, successfully recovering the niche critical metal hafnium. Gravity separation tests increased the hafnium grade by 26 times, from 4 ppm to 108 ppm, with a recovery rate of 66%, and eliminated 97% of waste rock prior to recovery, significantly reducing ore beneficiation costs and operating expenses.
Hafnium has a high melting point of 2,233°C and is corrosion-resistant, making it suitable for national defense and nuclear industries. Current global annual consumption is less than 100 mt, while its price has doubled within a year to $11,000/kg, with supply concentrated in China and Russia.

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