Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. (ATCX; NASDAQ) announced high metallurgical recoveries from initial testwork at its 100%-owned Alto do Paranaíba Project in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The work evaluated the Altilium Ti/REE Process for extracting rare earth elements into leach solution and upgrading titanium into leach residue. Testing was directed by a Qualified Person under Item 1300 of Regulation S-K from Altilium Group Limited.
According to the company, the testwork demonstrated rare earth element (REE) extraction rates of 97.0% for magnetic REEs (MREE), 95.2% for light REEs (LREE), 93.8% for total REEs plus yttrium (TREY), and 83.9% for heavy REEs (HREE). Additionally, titanium dioxide was concentrated from 13.4% to 26.0% in the leach residue, with 97% of TiO₂ reporting to residue.
A 50 kg composite sample, described as representative of the Project's Block 1 properties, was processed at SGS Canada Inc. in Lakefield. Two leach tests were conducted: one with direct acid leaching and one with thermal pre-treatment followed by leaching. The latter yielded the highest recovery rates, including the 97.0% MREE extraction.
"These highly encouraging metallurgical results represent a significant step forward for our Alto do Paranaíba Project," stated Marc Fogassa, Chairman and CEO of Atlas Critical Minerals, in the news release. "Achieving 97% extraction of magnetic rare earth elements is an important milestone. We believe our results to date indicate that the mineralization is amenable to processing, a key factor for the Project's economic potential," he said in a company news release.
An initial auger drill campaign comprising 13 holes totaling 144 meters intercepted near-surface, high-grade mineralization. Highlights included 12 meters grading 5,961 ppm total rare earth oxides (TREO) in hole DHTI-001 and 6 meters grading 7,729 ppm TREO in hole DHTI-002. Titanium dioxide grades in these intercepts ranged from 11.2% to 15.9%.
Surface sampling across the project area yielded grades up to 28,870 ppm TREO and 7,493 ppm magnetic REOs. Titanium dioxide values from surface samples reached as high as 23.2%.
Rare Earths Industry Policy and Investment Landscape
In an Associated Press report updated on January 15, lawmakers proposed creating a new US$2.5 billion agency aimed at boosting domestic production of rare earths and other critical minerals amid heightened concern over U.S. reliance on China. The bipartisan legislation introduced by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen and Sen. Todd Young would establish an independent body tasked with building a stockpile of critical minerals, stabilizing prices, and encouraging domestic and allied production. Shaheen described the proposal as "a historic investment" to strengthen the US economy against China's dominance, while Young said the initiative represented "a much-needed, aggressive step to protect our national and economic security."
The report also highlighted escalating federal involvement across the sector, including Pentagon investments totaling nearly US$5bn over the past year, as Washington sought to address vulnerabilities exposed during the trade war. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that recent capital commitments would "help free the United States from market manipulation," underscoring the government's expanding role in securing critical mineral supply chains tied to national and economic security.
In a Financial Times report published on January 24, the rare earths sector was described as the focus of the U.S. government's largest investment to date, with a US$1.6 billion commitment to support domestic production. According to an official from the Chips office, the initiative was "focused on onshoring critical and strategic minerals essential to the semiconductor supply chain and U.S. national security." The investment included an equity stake, warrants, and senior secured debt to a US-based rare earths company, and was positioned as part of a broader effort to intervene in industries considered vital to national priorities.
A Yahoo Finance article published on January 26 highlighted the broader implications of public sector participation in the rare earths industry. The report stated that rare earth minerals supported major segments of the U.S. economy, including artificial intelligence, data centers, advanced manufacturing, defense, energy, and technology infrastructure. In a sector analysis, Sprott Asset Management's Paul Wong and Jacob White wrote that "Public sector participation is enhancing revenue visibility, mitigating project risk and increasing the likelihood that new capacity is actually implemented."
Ad-Hoc News, in a report published on January 28, described a shift in the US government's rare earths strategy with the emergence of a new, state-backed competitor. The outlet reported that the Department of Commerce outlined a US$1.6 billion support package for domestic rare earth production, including loans and grants. The report stated that "the U.S. government is significantly expanding its support for the domestic rare earths industry," and noted that the decision to fund multiple producers in parallel raised questions about future pricing and contract awards. Analysts at Simply Wall St suggested that the expanded package "may exert pressure on future contract awards and pricing within the sector," while affirming the industry's continuing link to national security and resilient supply chains.
Multi-Phase Work Program Advancing at Alto do Paranaíba
Atlas Critical Minerals reported several technical milestones across its Alto do Paranaíba Project that support ongoing project advancement. The company completed metallurgical testing on a 50 kg composite sample from Block 1, conducting two nitric acid leach trials that showed significantly higher extraction rates with thermal pre-treatment.
The initial auger drilling campaign spanned 13 holes totaling 144 meters and generated 178 samples, including 22% QA/QC control samples. Drilling intersected high-grade, near-surface mineralization across multiple areas. Notable intervals included 12 meters grading 5,961 ppm TREO and 6 meters grading 7,729 ppm TREO, accompanied by magnetic REO and titanium dioxide values.
Streetwise Ownership Overview*
Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. (ATCX;NASDAQ)
Atlas's January 2026 investor presentation also reported comprehensive surface sampling results. Samples from the project area showed consistently high TREO grades, with values up to 28,870 ppm. These results, combined with titanium dioxide levels reaching 23.2%, contribute to ongoing geological modeling and resource evaluation efforts at the site.
Further evaluation of the Altilium Ti/REE Process incorporated both chemical and mineralogical characterization, targeting elements such as aluminum, calcium, cobalt, iron, titanium, and various rare earths. The reported test results provide technical benchmarks for the potential recovery of both rare earths and titanium from the project's mineralization.
Ownership and Share Structure1
About 30% of Atlas Critical Minerals is owned by insiders and management. Atlas Lithium Corp. (ATLX:NASDAQ) holds ~21% of the company.
Its market cap is ~US$36 million with ~5 million shares outstanding. It trades in a 52-week range of US$4.80 and US$47.16
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Important Disclosures:
- Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. and Atlas Lithium Corp. are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports and pay SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
- As of the date of this article, officers, contractors, shareholders, and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Atlas Critical Minerals Corp. and Atlas Lithium Corp.
- James Guttman wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
- This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company.
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1. Ownership and Share Structure Information
The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.
