SUPREEMO partner SAGA Rare Earths has successfully collected a 50-tonne bulk sample from the Fen complex in Norway, which marks an important step in the project’s efforts to establish the first sustainable and resilient pre-commercial European rare earth value chain, from primary resources to materials for permanent magnet production.
Following a ground geophysical survey conducted in 2025 and the analysis of nearby drill-hole data, SAGA completed four test excavations at Fen in April 2026. Building on these results and subsequent metallurgical studies, the partner collected the pilot-scale ore sample in June. Excavation and blasting of the rauhaugite material were successfully completed, following approval from the Norwegian Directorate of Mining, Nome Municipality and relevant landowners. The bulk sample was collected from an area of the deposit where consistent grade and mineralogy occur.
The material will be used to test the processing route at pilot-scale, mimicking a real mine operation to assess how the rare earth ore performs throughout the processing flow sheet, and how rare earth grades and recovery rates evolve during processing.
After collection, the sample material was packed into bulk bags and transported to Comex in Poland. Comex will carry out crushing and pre-concentration activities to help facilitate the material flow from SAGA, before sending the material to DIAMO for further pilot-scale activities within SUPREEMO.
