Brazilian Critical Minerals (ASX:BCM) updated its mineral resource estimate for the Ema rare earth element project in Brazil, which defines a starter zone of 350 million tonnes at 778 parts per million (ppm) of total rare earth oxides using a cut-off of 500 ppm, according to a Tuesday filing with the Australian bourse.

The starter zone contains 126 million tonnes at 772 ppm total rare earth oxides in the indicated resources category, the filing said. Further conversion of the remaining starter zone inferred material to the indicated category is planned, pending the finalization of all drilling results during the first quarter.

The updated estimate will underpin an upcoming scoping study and Ema project economics.

The updated total interim mineral resource estimate is 977 million tonnes at 729 ppm total rare earth oxides, according to the filing.