• First MREC production from Meteoric's Caldeira Pilot Plant
• Pilot Plant successfully commissioned, validating the flowsheet
• Opportunities identified to optimize the Definitive Feasibility Study

Meteoric Resources NL (ASX: MEI) has announced the production of its first batch of Mixed Rare Earth Carbonate (MREC) from the recently constructed Pilot Plant for the Caldeira Rare Earth Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The Pilot Plant has successfully commissioned all key unit processes, including ore preparation, leaching, counter-current decantation, spent clay filtration, MREC precipitation and dewatering, and a water treatment circuit that recovers 100% of process water for recycling. The successful commissioning of the Pilot Plant validates the flowsheet and enables ongoing refinement of key project parameters and process optimization, strengthening Meteoric's understanding of the Caldeira Project. Data generated from the pilot campaigns will be incorporated into the Caldeira Project Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) currently being undertaken by Ausenco. The Pilot Plant also provides an opportunity to pilot the separation of rare earths by solvent extraction and other technologies such as Flash Joule Heating. During the commissioning and early operation, several opportunities have already been realized which will be reflected in the Definitive Feasibility Study.

Once fully optimized, MREC product from the Pilot Plant will be provided to Meteoric's existing and potential future offtake partners and used to assess further downstream processing options to separate rare earth elements.