Victory Metals has reached a deal with Curtin University to utilize its $18.4 million Cathode Precursor Production Pilot Plant (C4P) for processing heavy rare earth concentrate into mixed rare earth carbonate (MREC). This partnership extends Victory’s existing connection with Curtin and the Western Australian School of Mines, utilizing infrastructure that was originally developed in cooperation with CSIRO and the Minerals Research Institute of Western Australia.
The material, which is currently generated at Victory’s Burswood pilot plant in Perth, will be sent to the C4P site for treatment. This setup enables the organization to perform pilot-scale testing and qualify products without the immediate expense of constructing its own processing plant.
Pathway to higher-value products
Victory’s chief executive, Brendan Clark, emphasized the importance of this step for the company’s goal of creating an Australian heavy rare earth supply chain. “Securing access to the C4P facility is a significant development for Victory Metals,” Clark stated. “Through our collaboration with Curtin University, the Western Australian School of Mines and the broader C4P initiative involving CSIRO and MRIWA, we have a pathway to take the heavy rare earth concentrate produced at our Burswood pilot plant and convert it into a higher-value Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate product.”
This processing phase is part of Victory’s downstream strategy for its North Stanmore heavy rare earth project located near Cue in Western Australia. The project holds a mineral resource of 278.8 million tonnes, which includes 70.67 million tonnes classified as measured, with heavy rare earth oxides comprising 36% of the total rare earth oxides.
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MREC serves as an intermediate substance that can be further separated and refined. Under the terms of the agreement, heavy rare earth concentrate and related process materials will be moved to the C4P facility during 2026 and 2027. The MREC samples created through the program will be sent back to Victory for technical evaluation and possible testing with international offtake and refining partners, provided that further testwork and commercial deals are arranged.
Clark noted that utilizing established infrastructure would eliminate the need for Victory to independently develop every stage of the processing pathway.
Curtin facility’s role in critical minerals processing
Established to boost Western Australia’s capabilities in battery materials processing, the C4P facility received an $18.4 million investment from the Future Battery Industries Cooperative Research Centre and its partners. It has already demonstrated semi-batch and continuous processing methods for precursor cathode active materials used in batteries.
The proposed MREC work would apply the facility’s current infrastructure and technical skills to a different material type. Victory’s ongoing relationship with Curtin also encompasses a strategic partnership announced in February 2026 via Curtin’s Resources Technology and Critical Minerals Trailblazer initiative. This alliance combines knowledge in metallurgy, water management, recycling, and recovery, outlining a route to test the downstream processing of Victory’s concentrate.
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China’s control over rare earth refining remains a major concern for supply chains. According to the International Energy Agency, China held 91% of global refining output for magnet rare earths in 2024. Elements like dysprosium and terbium are key for high-performance permanent magnets found in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and industrial machinery.
China recently extended the suspension of specific additional rare earth export controls until January 10, 2027, while existing export licensing rules remain active. Victory Metals suggests that Australian MREC processing could attract potential clients in the US, Europe, Japan, India, South Korea, and Vietnam who are looking for alternatives to processing by China.
The immediate steps involve moving the concentrate to the C4P facility, conducting processing trials, and analyzing the resulting MREC for potential downstream customers.
